An airline carry-on bag is a part of your luggage that a traveler can carry along on the plane. A traveler can carry one carry-on bag and one personal item at no extra costs. But there are some airline restrictions that one needs to be aware of and follow diligently.
Every airline tends to have some restrictions related to the number of carry-on bags, the size and weight that you can carry along during your air travel. Airlines also have regulations related to one ‘personal item’ that you can carry along. There is a list of things that are counted as personal items provided by various airlines. Some of these personal items include the following:
- Briefcase
- Camera
- Handbag/Purse
- Laptop (in carry bag)
- Other items that do not exceed 36″ in total dimension
- Reading material
- Small book-bag style backpack
- Umbrella
- Zip top bag that follows airline carry on liquid rules like baby formula, milk (including breast milk), juice, medications, liquids or medications for medical ailments like diabetes.
- Personal aid devices like braces, canes, crutches, prosthetic devices, wheelchairs, walking sticks, only if the passenger is dependent on them
- CPAP breathing machine that needs to be removed from carrying case and submitted separately for X-ray
- Full size game consoles, DVD players and video cameras that need to be removed from carrying case and submitted separately for X-ray screening
- One infant item that includes diaper bag, government approved child seat, a small collapsible stroller
The carry-on luggage size should be small enough to be stored under the seat or in the overhead compartment.
| Name of Airline | Baggage Allowance | Baggage Dimensions | Baggage Weight |
| Aer Lingus | 1 bag plus a small additional item | 21.5″x15.5″x9.5″ | 10 kg/22 lbs |
| Air Canada | 1 bag plus 1 personal item | 23cm x 40cm x 55cm | 10 kg/22 lbs |
| Air France | 1 bag plus 1 personal item | 21″ x 13″ x 9″ | 12 kg/26.4 lbs in total |
| Air New Zealand | 1 bag plus personal items | length+width+height of 118cm/46.5″ | 7 kg/15.4 lbs |
| Air Tran | 1 bag plus personal items | 24″ x 16″ x 10″ | Not specified |
| Alaskan Airlines/Horizon | 1 bag plus personal items | 24″ x 17″ x 10″ | |
| Alitalia | 1 bag plus personal items | 55cm x 35cm x 25cm | 8 kg/17.6 lbs |
| American Airlines | 1 bag | 22″ x 14″ x 9″ | 18kg/40lbs |
| Austrian Airways | 1 bag | 55cm x 40cm x 23cm | 8 kg/17.6 lbs |
| BMI | 1 bag plus personal items | 115cm/45″ | 10 kg/22 lbs |
| British Airways | 1 bag | 115cm/45″ | 6 kg/13.2 lbs |
| Cathay Pacific | 1 bag plus personal items | 115cm/45″ | 7 kg/15.4 lbs |
| Delta | 1 bag | 115cm/45″ | 18 kg/40 lbs |
| Emirates | 1 bag | 58cmx38cmx20cm | 7 kg/15.4 lbs |
| Finnair | 1 bag plus personal items | 115cm/45″ | 8 kg/18 lbs |
| Garuda | 1 bag plus personal items | 50cmx36cmx15cm | 7 kg/15.6 lbs |
| Japan Airlines | 1 bag plus personal items | 115cm/45″ | 10 kg/22 lbs |
| KLM | 1 bag plus personal items | 115cm/45″ | 10 kg/22 lbs |
| Korean Air | 1 plus 1 personal item | 50cmx40cmx20cm | 12 kg/26.4 lbs |
| Lufthansa | 1 bag plus personal items | 20″x16″x8″ | 8 kg/18 lbs |
| Malaysia Airlines | 1 bag | 115cm/45″ | 5 kg/11 lbs |
| Qantas | 1 bag plus personal items | 115cm/45″ | 7 kg/15.6 lbs |
| SAS | 1 bag | 115cm/45″ | 8 kg/18 lbs |
| Singapore Airlines | 1 bag | 115cm/45″ | 7 kg/15.6 lbs |
| South African Airways | 1 bag | 115cm/45″ | 7 kg/15.6 lbs |
| Swiss Air | 1 bag | 55 x 40 x 23cm | 8 kg/18 lbs |
| Thai Airways | 1 bag | 22″ x 18″ x 10″ | 7 kg/15.6 lbs |
| Virgin Atlantic | 1 bag | 22″ x 14″ x 9″ | 10 kg/22 lbs |
