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 standard6 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 (low-cost airlines)6 of 12 AirlinesUnited, Frontier, 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 exact size, so do not copy another airline’s inches.
Compare personal itemChecked bag
62 linear in
50 lb (23 kg) typical max
Length plus width plus height, wheels and handles included. Check 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 and handles) to test airline compatibility against published rules.
45 linear inches is an alternate rule Alaska, Hawaiian, and Delta publish. It does not by itself make a bag checked.
Complies with published overhead sizers across all carriers, including American, Delta, and United standard 22×14×9″ boxes.
Exceeds standard 18×14×8″ personal item space. Will count toward your overhead carry-on allowance (paid add-on on low-cost airlines).
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 | Main, tickets bought on or after April 9, 2026: $45 online or $50 at the airport; 2nd bag $55 online or $60 at the airport; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy (from May 18, 2026): often $5 more on the first or second bag | |
| Delta Air Lines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 (or 45 linear in, 114 cm) | Free on typical fares | Under-seat size not published | Domestic Main and Comfort: $45 first bag, $55 second; 3rd bag and later $200 (no separate prepaid price published) | |
| United Airlines | Legacy | 9 × 14 × 22 | Free on most fares; paid or not allowed on most Basic Economy | 9 × 10 × 17 | Domestic example: $45 prepaid or $50 standard; 2nd bag $55 or $60; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy gate check $75 (tickets bought on or after April 3, 2026) | |
| Southwest Airlines | Value | 24 × 16 × 10 (fees footnote also 10 × 16 × 24) | Free on typical fares | Under-seat size not published | Mainland, booked, ticketed, or changed on or after April 9, 2026: Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred $45 first bag, $55 second; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd bag and later $150. Before April 9, 2026, often $35 and $45 | |
| Alaska Airlines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear | Free on typical fares | Under-seat size not published | North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third. Tickets bought on or before April 9, 2026: $40 ($35 prepaid), $45, $150. Interisland: $30 first, $40 second | |
| JetBlue Airways | Value | 22 × 14 × 9 | Free on typical fares | 17 × 13 × 8 | Within the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada: prepaid more than 24 hours before departure, off-peak $45 first bag and $59 second, peak $49 and $69; within 24 hours, off-peak $49 and $69, peak $59 and $79; 3rd bag $200 | |
| Frontier Airlines | Low-cost | 24 × 16 × 10 | Paid on Basic and Standard; included in Economy, Premium, and Business bundles | 18 × 14 × 8 | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | |
| Allegiant Air | Low-cost | 10 × 16 × 22 | Paid on base fare | 8 × 14 × 18 | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Legacy | 22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear | Free on typical fares | Under-seat size not published | North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third; interisland $30 and $40. Within North America, overweight adds $100 or $200 and oversize adds $200 (both fees can apply to one bag) | |
| Sun Country Airlines | Low-cost | 24 × 16 × 11 | Paid (overhead option) | 17 × 13 × 9 | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site | |
| Avelo Airlines | Low-cost | 22 × 14 × 9 | Paid on base | 17 × 13 × 9 | Checked fees $47 to $75 for new reservations, varying by route; no fixed city-pair table. Overweight over 50 to 70 lb adds $100; oversize over 62 to 80 in adds $100; both add $200 | |
| Breeze Airways | Low-cost | 22 × 14 × 9 | Paid on No Flex and Flex; included in Nice, Nicer and Nicest | 17 × 13 × 8 | Price varies by flight; check the airline's site |
- LegacyFree on typical fares
American Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Main, tickets bought on or after April 9, 2026: $45 online or $50 at the airport; 2nd bag $55 online or $60 at the airport; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy (from May 18, 2026): often $5 more on the first or second bagPersonal Item: 18 × 14 × 8 - LegacyFree on typical fares
Delta Air Lines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 9 (or 45 linear in, 114 cm)1st Checked:Domestic Main and Comfort: $45 first bag, $55 second; 3rd bag and later $200 (no separate prepaid price published)Personal Item: Under-seat size not published - LegacyFree on most fares; paid or not allowed on most Basic Economy
United Airlines
Carry-On Max:9 × 14 × 221st Checked:Domestic example: $45 prepaid or $50 standard; 2nd bag $55 or $60; 3rd bag and later $200. Basic Economy gate check $75 (tickets bought on or after April 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, or changed on or after April 9, 2026: Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred $45 first bag, $55 second; Choice Extra 2 free; 3rd bag and later $150. Before April 9, 2026, often $35 and $45Personal Item: Under-seat size not published - LegacyFree on typical fares
Alaska Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear1st Checked:North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third. Tickets bought on or before April 9, 2026: $40 ($35 prepaid), $45, $150. Interisland: $30 first, $40 secondPersonal Item: Under-seat size not published - ValueFree on typical fares
JetBlue Airways
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Within the US, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada: prepaid more than 24 hours before departure, off-peak $45 first bag and $59 second, peak $49 and $69; within 24 hours, off-peak $49 and $69, peak $59 and $79; 3rd bag $200Personal Item: 17 × 13 × 8 - Low-costPaid on Basic and Standard; included in Economy, Premium, and Business bundles
Frontier Airlines
Carry-On Max:24 × 16 × 101st Checked:Price varies by flight; check the airline's sitePersonal Item: 18 × 14 × 8 - Low-costPaid on base fare
Allegiant Air
Carry-On Max:10 × 16 × 221st Checked:Price varies by flight; check the airline's sitePersonal Item: 8 × 14 × 18 - LegacyFree on typical fares
Hawaiian Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 9 or 45 linear1st Checked:North America, tickets bought on or after April 10, 2026: $45 first bag, $55 second, $200 third; interisland $30 and $40. Within North America, overweight adds $100 or $200 and oversize adds $200 (both fees can apply to one bag)Personal Item: Under-seat size not published - Low-costPaid (overhead option)
Sun Country Airlines
Carry-On Max:24 × 16 × 111st Checked:Price varies by flight; check the airline's sitePersonal Item: 17 × 13 × 9 - Low-costPaid on base
Avelo Airlines
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Checked fees $47 to $75 for new reservations, varying by route; no fixed city-pair table. Overweight over 50 to 70 lb adds $100; oversize over 62 to 80 in adds $100; both add $200Personal Item: 17 × 13 × 9 - Low-costPaid on No Flex and Flex; included in Nice, Nicer and Nicest
Breeze Airways
Carry-On Max:22 × 14 × 91st Checked:Price varies by flight; check the airline's sitePersonal Item: 17 × 13 × 8
Compare All 12 Hubs
More from BagRule
All 12 US 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
UK and Europe: cabin bag, fees and personal item
Ryanair, British Airways, easyJet, Jet2, Wizz Air, Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus, and Condor. Cabin-bag pages use UK and European wording. Confirm sizes and fees on the airline site before you fly.
Ryanair
British Airways
easyJet
Jet2
Wizz Air
Virgin Atlantic
Aer Lingus
Condor
Canada: carry-on size, fees and personal item
Air Canada and WestJet. Carry-on pages use North American search language. Confirm sizes and fees on the airline site before you fly.
Australia: carry-on size, fees and personal item
Qantas. Carry-on pages use Australian search language. Confirm sizes and fees on the airline site before you fly.