Tortuga believes in carry-on-only travel and won’t be covering checked luggage in this article. Airlines’ rules are most generous for checked luggage, but you will have to pay for each item that you bring. Personal Item guide for more on the differences between the two luggage formats.Ĭhecked luggage is any additional bag or suitcase which you give to your airline to carry in the luggage hold-not the cabin-of the plane. You can travel with only a personal item, either out of necessity (Basic Economy) or choice (for extremely light packers). Some budget airlines even make you pay for any carry on. You’ll have to pay extra for your carry on. Basic economy fares are typically cheaper but only include one personal item. The exceptions to this rule are the basic economy fares now offered by both major and budget airlines. You can, in general, bring one carry on and one personal item with you onto the plane. Most importantly, your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. Airlines’ are more strict with the size and weight of your personal item if they even publish rules. Your personal item may be a purse, laptop bag, backpack, tote, or any other small bag. Think of a maximum-sized travel backpack or a roller suitcase.Ī personal item is your secondary bag which you bring onboard the airplane and store under the seat in front of you. Airlines’ have more generous size and weight guidelines for carry ons. Carry ons may also be called hand luggage. What’s the Difference Between a Carry On and a Personal Item?Ī carry on is your main piece of luggage which you bring onboard the airplane and store in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you (if you don’t have a second bag). Many airlines restrict passengers to one personal item and one carry on bag. These must always fit under the seat in front of you. While personal item size restrictions vary across airlines, most airlines consider a small backpack, purse, briefcase, or laptop bag to be a personal item. So you bring a personal item to supplement your carry on travel backpack or suitcase. Just because you need to bring a bit more stuff doesn’t mean you’re willing to pay for or deal with checked luggage. How Strict are Airlines About Personal Items?Įven light packers sometimes need a second bag.Summary of Airlines’ Personal Item Sizes.Middle Eastern Airlines’ Personal Item Sizes.Asian Pacific Airlines’ Personal Item Sizes.North American Airlines’ Personal Item Sizes.What’s the Difference Between a Carry On and a Personal Item?.

Southwest airlines rules for baggage