Carry On Luggage Rules

Many people are confused about airline policies on carry on luggage.  I do a fair amount of traveling and am amazed at what people attempt to carry onto a plane and try and fit into the over head bins.

Here are the Carry-On Luggage Rules.

To make your trip easier, we have compiled the following links and tips about carry-on luggage requirements for domestic airlines

What is a Carry-On Bag?

Each airline has its own carry-on luggage policy. Please use the links in the table below to view the policy of each airline. Keep in mind that gate agents and flight attendants reserve the right to allow or refuse anything they want on board a flight especially on full flights, popular routes, or if smaller aircraft has been substituted on regional routs.  In most cases as long as you are close to the guidelines for a carry-on you should be allowed to bring it on your flight. Also, bin sizes will vary by type of aircraft so an item that meets the carry-on size may not fit in some smaller bins. Some airlines also have a weight limit, but this is usually only on checked luggage. Please check with your airline BEFORE you pack.

Despite what you may have hear or read, there actually is no such thing as an “FAA-approved carry-on” or “government-approved carry-on” bag, so keep that in mind of products that make these claims.

Below are some of the Carry on information for some of the more popular airlines:

Airline	Allowance	Max weightper piece	Maximum size per piece
Air Tran	1 plus 1 personal item	-	55″
Alaska	1 plus 1 personal item	-	10″H x 17″W x 24″L
American	1 plus 1 personal item	40lbs	45″
Delta	1 plus 1 personal item	40lbs	All items must each fit into a template approx 22″ x 14″ x 9″
Frontier	1 plus 1 personal item	35lbs	49″
Hawaiian	1 plus 1 personal item	25lbs	45″ or 22″ x 14″ x 9″
Horizon	1 plus 1 personal item		10″H x 17″W x 24″L
JetBlue	1 plus 1 personal item	-	Airbus A320: 26″ x 18″ x 12″EMBRAER 190: 24″ x 16″ x 10″
Southwest	1 plus 1 personal item	-	24″ x 16″ x 10″
Spirit	1 piece, no personal items	40lbs	22″ x 13″ x 10″
United	1 plus 1 personal item	-	22″ x 14″ x 9″
US Airways	1 plus 1 personal item	40lbs total	24″ x 16″ x 10″ for overhead21″ x 16″ x 8″ for under seat

Here is an image showing the “liquids” rule:

The 3 – 1 – 1 rule for carry on’s, means = 3 ounce bottle or less; 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; 1 bag per passenger which should be placed into the screening bin. The One-quart bag per person limits the total liquid volume each traveler can carry onto the plain. The 3 ounce container size is a security measure.

Remember, to consolidate all of your bottles into one bag and X-ray separately to speed screening.

Also, remember to be prepared. Each time the TSA agent searches a carry-on it slows down the line. Practicing 3-1-1 will ensure a faster and easier checkpoint experience. 3-1-1 is for short trips. If in doubt, put your liquids in checked luggage.

If you are declaring larger liquids, make sure you declare these items for inspection at the checkpoint.  There are some things like Medications, baby formula and food, breast milk, and juice are allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and are not required to be in the zip-top bag.

Come early and be patient. Heavy travel volumes and the enhanced security process may mean longer lines at security checkpoints.

More information from the Transportation Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security