Last verified · 12 US airlines · Official sources
Airline bag rules: sizes, fees, and what fits
Don’t get tricked by cheap base airfares that turn expensive after bag fees. Compare carry-on size, baggage fees, and personal item rules across 12 US airlines before you fly.
Quick Decision Summary
- Free carry-on standard7 of 12 AirlinesIncluded on typical economy fares for legacy and value carriers in this set, including United outside Basic Economy.Carry-on size hub
- Paid carry-on / ULCC5 of 12 AirlinesFrontier, Allegiant, Sun Country, Avelo, and Breeze sell the overhead bin space as a paid add-on on basic fares.Baggage fees hub
- Southwest cabin bagsCarry-on still freeOne 24 × 16 × 10″ carry-on plus a personal item on every fare. Checked bags are paid on most fares after Bags Fly Free ended.Southwest baggage fees
Standard Luggage Sizes
Overhead carry-on
22 × 14 × 9 in
56 × 36 × 23 cm · 45 linear in on most carriers
Southwest and Frontier publish a larger 24 × 16 × 10 in box. Sun Country publishes 24 × 16 × 11 in.
Compare carry-on sizePersonal item
18 × 14 × 8 in
45 × 35 × 20 cm typical when published
Must fit under the seat. Several airlines publish no L×W×H — do not copy another carrier’s inches.
Compare personal itemChecked bag
62 linear in
50 lb (23 kg) typical max
Length + width + height, wheels and handles included. Confirm overweight and oversize fees on the airline page.
Compare baggage fees
Airport sizer warning: Sizer cages at gates are rigid metal. Wheels and handles count. If any part protrudes, the bag can be gate-checked and charged airline counter fees.
Interactive Sizer Calculator: Does Your Bag Fit?
Enter exterior measurements (including wheels & handles) to test airline compatibility against published rules.
Quick presets:
inches
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inches
Bag Footprint:22″ × 14″ × 9″ (45 linear inches)
✓ Meets 45″ linear carry-on guideline
Overhead Carry-On Compatibility
Fits all 12 airlines
Complies with published overhead sizers across all carriers, including American, Delta, and United standard 22×14×9″ boxes.
Under-Seat Personal Item Compatibility
Too large for under-seat
Exceeds standard 18×14×8″ personal item space. Will count toward your overhead carry-on allowance (paid add-on on ULCCs).
Note: Delta, Southwest, Alaska, and Hawaiian require under-seat fit rather than published inches.
Master Baggage Policy Matrix
Side-by-side comparison of carry-on sizes, fare inclusions, personal items, and first checked bag fees across all 12 US carriers.
Showing 12 of 12 carriers
| Airline | Tier | Carry-on Max | Carry-on Policy | Personal Item | 1st Checked | Deep Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 | Free on typical fares | 18 × 14 × 8 | Tickets ≥ Apr 9, 2026 Main: $45 online / $50 airport; 2nd $55 / $60; 3rd+ $200. BE (≥ May 18, 2026): often +$5 on 1st/2nd | |
| Delta Air Lines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 (+ 45 linear in / 114 cm) | Free on typical fares | Under seat — not published | Domestic Main/Comfort: $45 / $55; 3rd+ $200 (no prepaid split published) | |
| United Airlines | Legacy | 9 × 14 × 22 | Free (No Basic Econ) | 9 × 10 × 17 | Domestic sample: $45 prepaid / $50 standard; 2nd $55 / $60; 3rd+ $200. BE gate $75 (tickets ≥ Apr 3, 2026) | |
| Southwest Airlines | Value | 24 × 16 × 10 (fees footnote also 10 × 16 × 24) | Free on typical fares | Under seat — not published | Mainland booked/ticketed/changed ≥ Apr 9, 2026: Basic/Choice/Choice Preferred $45 / $55; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd+ $150. Pre–Apr 9 often $35 / $45 | |
| Alaska Airlines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear | Free on typical fares | Under seat — not published | Tickets ≥ Apr 10, 2026 NA: $45 / $55 / $200. Legacy Oct 14, 2025–Apr 9, 2026: $40 ($35 pre-pay) / $45 / $150. Interisland: $30 / $40 | |
| JetBlue Airways | Value | 22 × 14 × 9 | Free on typical fares | 17 × 13 × 8 | Within US/LatAm/Carib/Canada prepaid (>24h) off-peak $45 / $59; peak $49 / $69; ≤24h off-peak $49 / $69; peak $59 / $79; 3rd $200 | |
| Frontier Airlines | ULCC | 24 × 16 × 10 | Paid Basic/Standard; included Economy / Premium / Business | 18 × 14 × 8 | Dynamic — see airline page | |
| Allegiant Air | ULCC | 10 × 16 × 22 | Paid on base fare | 8 × 14 × 18 | Dynamic — see airline page | |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear | Free on typical fares | Under seat — not published | Tickets ≥ Apr 10, 2026 NA: $45 / $55 / $200; interisland $30 / $40. OW/OS NA +$100/+200/+200 (stack) | |
| Sun Country Airlines | ULCC | 24 × 16 × 11 | Paid (overhead option) | 17 × 13 × 9 | Dynamic — see airline page | |
| Avelo Airlines | ULCC | 22 × 14 × 9 | Paid on base | 17 × 13 × 9 | Checked fees $34–$70 range (new res.) — dynamic; no static city-pair table. OW >50–70 +$100; OS >62–80 +$100; both +$200 | |
| Breeze Airways | ULCC | 22 × 14 × 9 | Paid No Flex/Flex; included Nice / Nicer / Nicest | 17 × 13 × 8 | Dynamic — see airline page |
- LegacyFree on typical fares
American Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Tickets ≥ Apr 9, 2026 Main: $45 online / $50 airport; 2nd $55 / $60; 3rd+ $200. BE (≥ May 18, 2026): often +$5 on 1st/2ndPersonal Item: 18 × 14 × 8 - LegacyFree on typical fares
Delta Air Lines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 9 (+ 45 linear in / 114 cm)1st Checked:Domestic Main/Comfort: $45 / $55; 3rd+ $200 (no prepaid split published)Personal Item: Under seat — not published - LegacyFree (No Basic Econ)
United Airlines
Carry-On Max:9 × 14 × 221st Checked:Domestic sample: $45 prepaid / $50 standard; 2nd $55 / $60; 3rd+ $200. BE gate $75 (tickets ≥ Apr 3, 2026)Personal Item: 9 × 10 × 17 - ValueFree on typical fares
Southwest Airlines
Carry-On Max:24 × 16 × 10 (fees footnote also 10 × 16 × 24)1st Checked:Mainland booked/ticketed/changed ≥ Apr 9, 2026: Basic/Choice/Choice Preferred $45 / $55; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd+ $150. Pre–Apr 9 often $35 / $45Personal Item: Under seat — not published - LegacyFree on typical fares
Alaska Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear1st Checked:Tickets ≥ Apr 10, 2026 NA: $45 / $55 / $200. Legacy Oct 14, 2025–Apr 9, 2026: $40 ($35 pre-pay) / $45 / $150. Interisland: $30 / $40Personal Item: Under seat — not published - ValueFree on typical fares
JetBlue Airways
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Within US/LatAm/Carib/Canada prepaid (>24h) off-peak $45 / $59; peak $49 / $69; ≤24h off-peak $49 / $69; peak $59 / $79; 3rd $200Personal Item: 17 × 13 × 8 - ULCCPaid Basic/Standard; included Economy / Premium / Business
Frontier Airlines
Carry-On Max:24 × 16 × 101st Checked:Dynamic — see airline pagePersonal Item: 18 × 14 × 8 - ULCCPaid on base fare
Allegiant Air
Carry-On Max:10 × 16 × 221st Checked:Dynamic — see airline pagePersonal Item: 8 × 14 × 18 - LegacyFree on typical fares
Hawaiian Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear1st Checked:Tickets ≥ Apr 10, 2026 NA: $45 / $55 / $200; interisland $30 / $40. OW/OS NA +$100/+200/+200 (stack)Personal Item: Under seat — not published - ULCCPaid (overhead option)
Sun Country Airlines
Carry-On Max:24 × 16 × 111st Checked:Dynamic — see airline pagePersonal Item: 17 × 13 × 9 - ULCCPaid on base
Avelo Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Checked fees $34–$70 range (new res.) — dynamic; no static city-pair table. OW >50–70 +$100; OS >62–80 +$100; both +$200Personal Item: 17 × 13 × 9 - ULCCPaid No Flex/Flex; included Nice / Nicer / Nicest
Breeze Airways
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Dynamic — see airline pagePersonal Item: 17 × 13 × 8
Compare All 12 Hubs
More from BagRule
All 12 Airlines × 3 Page Types
American Airlines
Delta Air Lines
United Airlines
Southwest Airlines
Alaska Airlines
JetBlue Airways
Frontier Airlines
Allegiant Air
Hawaiian Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
Avelo Airlines
Breeze Airways