Indexed Airlines
8 Flagships
Global legacy & low-cost carriers
Standard US Carry-On
22 x 14 x 9 in
56 x 35 x 23 cm standard roller size
Most Generous Allowance
2 Free Bags
Southwest Airlines (up to 50 lbs / 23 kg each)

Global Airline Baggage Policy Matrix

Search by carrier or filter by airline model to verify overhead bin access and check-in fees before heading to the airport.

Full-Service Legacy

Delta Air Lines

Carry-On Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: No weight limit (except select Asian hubs)
Personal Item Rule: Included free (purse, laptop bag, diaper bag)
Free Checked Bags: Fee for domestic Main Cabin; 1 bag included on most long-haul intercontinental routes
Overhead Bin Policy:

One standard carry-on plus one personal item free for all passengers, including Basic Economy.

Traveler Tip: One of the few major US carriers that does not impose carry-on restrictions on Basic Economy tickets.

Full-Service Legacy

United Airlines

Carry-On Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: No weight limit
Personal Item Rule: Included free (must fit under the seat in front: 43 x 25 x 22 cm)
Free Checked Bags: Fee for domestic economy; 1 bag included on transatlantic / transpacific
Overhead Bin Policy:

Standard ticket holders get 1 carry-on plus 1 personal item. Basic Economy passengers are NOT allowed an overhead bin carry-on bag (personal item only).

Traveler Tip: Basic Economy travelers on United who bring a full-size roller bag to the gate must pay the standard checked bag fee plus a 25 dollar gate handling fee.

Full-Service Legacy

American Airlines

Carry-On Dimensions: 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: No weight limit
Personal Item Rule: Included free (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
Free Checked Bags: Fee for domestic; 1 bag included on transoceanic flights
Overhead Bin Policy:

One free carry-on bag plus one personal item for all customers across all cabin tickets, including Basic Economy.

Traveler Tip: Permits roller carry-ons for Basic Economy passengers, unlike United.

Full-Service Legacy

British Airways

Carry-On Dimensions: 22 x 18 x 10 in (56 x 45 x 25 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: 23 kg (51 lbs) per bag
Personal Item Rule: Included free (40 x 30 x 15 cm, up to 23 kg)
Free Checked Bags: Checked bags included on standard Economy; extra fee on "Economy Basic" hand-baggage only fares
Overhead Bin Policy:

Generous allowance: 1 full-size cabin bag (up to 23 kg) plus 1 handbag or laptop bag (up to 23 kg) across all classes.

Traveler Tip: British Airways offers one of the highest weight allowances in the industry for cabin hand luggage.

Ultra Low-Cost

Ryanair

Carry-On Dimensions: 15.7 x 9.8 x 7.8 in / 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 in (40 x 25 x 20 cm (small) / 55 x 40 x 20 cm (Priority))
Cabin Weight Limit: 10 kg (Priority carry-on only)
Personal Item Rule: Small personal item only (40 x 25 x 20 cm) included free with standard fare
Free Checked Bags: Strictly zero free checked bags. All baggage must be pre-purchased
Overhead Bin Policy:

Only passengers who purchase "Priority & 2 Cabin Bags" may bring a 10 kg wheelie bag into the overhead bin.

Traveler Tip: Non-priority passengers attempting to take roller bags through the gate face steep gate fees (up to 60 euros) to gate-check the item.

Full-Service Legacy

Singapore Airlines

Carry-On Dimensions: Max 45 total linear inches (Sum of length, width, height must not exceed 115 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: 7 kg (15 lbs)
Personal Item Rule: Included free (40 x 30 x 10 cm)
Free Checked Bags: 25 kg to 30 kg free allowance in Economy (weight concept)
Overhead Bin Policy:

Economy passengers receive 1 cabin bag (up to 7 kg) plus 1 personal item. Premium Economy and Business receive 2 pieces (up to 7 kg each).

Traveler Tip: Cabin bags are routinely weighed at boarding gates in Singapore Changi Airport; ensure hand baggage stays under 7 kg.

Full-Service Legacy

Emirates

Carry-On Dimensions: 22 x 15 x 8 in (55 x 38 x 20 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: 7 kg (15 lbs) for Economy
Personal Item Rule: Included in First and Business; Economy passengers receive 1 piece only
Free Checked Bags: 20 kg to 35 kg included depending on fare tier (Special, Saver, Flex, Flex Plus)
Overhead Bin Policy:

Economy allows 1 carry-on piece (7 kg). Business and First permit 1 briefcase plus either 1 handbag or garment bag (7 kg each).

Traveler Tip: Economy passengers on Emirates cannot bring both a roller bag and a large backpack; one must fit inside the other.

Hybrid / Low-Cost

Southwest Airlines

Carry-On Dimensions: 24 x 16 x 10 in (61 x 40 x 25 cm)
Cabin Weight Limit: No weight limit
Personal Item Rule: Included free (41 x 34 x 21 cm)
Free Checked Bags: Two free checked bags (up to 50 lbs / 23 kg each) included on every ticket
Overhead Bin Policy:

One free carry-on bag plus one personal item for all ticketed passengers.

Traveler Tip: Famous for "Bags Fly Free" policy, providing two complimentary checked bags on all domestic and international flights.

Carry-On Strategies & Fee Avoidance

The Basic Economy Squeeze

United Airlines strictly prohibits Basic Economy passengers from placing any bag in the overhead bins (personal under-seat items only). If brought to the gate, United charges the standard checked bag fee plus an additional gate service fee. In contrast, Delta and American allow standard roller bags for Basic Economy.

European Ultra-Low-Cost "Sizers"

Ryanair and Wizz Air enforce strict metal sizer boxes at boarding gates. Bags whose wheels, pockets, or handles protrude outside dimensions can incur gate baggage penalties of 40 to 60 euros. Backpacks that compress to under-seat dimensions are widely recommended.

Linear Inch Rule (62 inches / 158 cm)

Virtually all international full-service carriers calculate maximum checked bag dimensions using total linear inches (Length + Width + Height). The universal checked baggage limit is 62 linear inches (158 cm) and 50 lbs (23 kg) in Economy or 70 lbs (32 kg) in Business.