On most big US airlines the standard carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm), measured with wheels and handles. Southwest is more generous at 24 x 16 x 10 inches. Many international airlines use a 55 cm (21.5 inch) limit and add a weight cap of 7 to 10 kg. On top of that, you can usually bring one smaller personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.
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The rules get trickier with basic economy fares, ultra-low-cost airlines and strict international carriers. If you’re flying to a cruise port, your carry-on also has a second job: it’s the bag you live out of on embarkation day. This guide covers current limits by airline, how strictly they’re enforced, the TSA liquids rule, and what to pack in your cabin bag before you sail.
Carry-On Luggage Size by Airline (2026 Chart)
The figures below are each airline’s published standard economy limits as of November 2026. Dimensions include wheels and handles. Fare rules change often, especially for basic economy, so check your airline’s baggage page before you pack.
US airlines
| Airline | Carry-on (inches) | Personal item (inches) | Included on cheapest fare? |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | 18 x 14 x 8 | Yes, including Basic Economy |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 x 14 x 9 (max 45 linear in) | Must fit under the seat | Yes |
| United Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | 17 x 10 x 9 | Not on most domestic Basic Economy fares |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 x 16 x 10 | 16.25 x 13.5 x 8 | Yes |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | Must fit under the seat | Yes |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 22 x 14 x 9 | Must fit under the seat | Yes |
| JetBlue | 22 x 14 x 9 | 17 x 13 x 8 | Varies by fare; check Blue Basic rules |
| Frontier | 24 x 16 x 10 | 18 x 14 x 8 | No, paid add-on |
| Allegiant | 22 x 16 x 10 | 16 x 15 x 7 | No, paid add-on |
| Sun Country | 24 x 16 x 11 | 17 x 13 x 9 | No, on most fares |
One big change for Florida cruisers is that Spirit Airlines stopped flying in spring 2026 and is winding down. Older size charts that still list Spirit are out of date. If you had a Spirit habit for Fort Lauderdale or Orlando, Frontier, Southwest and the legacy carriers now serve most of those routes.
Major international airlines
| Airline | Carry-on (cm) | Weight limit (economy) | Personal item (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 56 x 45 x 25 | 23 kg | 40 x 30 x 15 |
| Virgin Atlantic | 56 x 36 x 23 | 10 kg | Small bag under the seat |
| Air Canada | 55 x 40 x 23 | Varies by route and cabin | 43 x 33 x 16 |
| Lufthansa | 55 x 40 x 23 | 8 kg | 40 x 30 x 10 |
| Air France / KLM | 55 x 35 x 25 | 12 kg total for both bags | 40 x 30 x 15 |
| Emirates | 55 x 38 x 20 | 7 kg | Varies by cabin |
| Qantas | 56 x 36 x 23 | 7 kg | Small personal item |
Pay attention to the weight column if you’re flying to Europe for a Mediterranean cruise or to Australia for a South Pacific sailing. A loaded 22-inch roller often weighs 9 to 12 kg (20 to 26 lb), which is over the limit on Emirates, Qantas and Lufthansa.
Is There a Standard Carry-On Size?
No single law sets one, but 22 x 14 x 9 inches is the closest thing to a US standard. American, Delta, United, Alaska, Hawaiian and JetBlue all use it. A suitcase sold as “carry-on size” in the US is usually built to those dimensions. Remember that brands often measure the body only, while airlines measure the whole bag. Wheels, handles and an expansion zipper can push a bag over 9 inches deep.
A bag that fits the 55 x 40 x 20 cm footprint (about 21.5 x 15.5 x 8 inches) will pass on nearly every airline in the world. It’s worth buying if you fly both domestic and international on your way to cruises. If you only fly US carriers, a full 22-inch bag gives you a bit more room.
Personal Item vs Carry-On: What’s the Difference?
A carry-on goes in the overhead bin. A personal item must fit under the seat in front of you: a handbag, laptop bag, small backpack or tote. On most full-service airlines you get both. On basic economy with United (most domestic routes) and on ultra-low-cost carriers like Frontier and Allegiant, only the personal item is free unless you pay for a carry-on.
A few things don’t count toward either allowance on most US airlines:
- Medical and mobility devices, including CPAP machines
- A diaper bag (one per child), breast pumps and breast milk
- Strollers and child car seats
- A coat or jacket you’re wearing or carrying
Duty-free shopping bags sometimes count, depending on the airline. That matters on the flight home if you bought spirits or perfume in port.
Carry-On Weight Limits and How They’re Enforced
Most US airlines don’t publish a carry-on weight limit. You only need to lift the bag into the bin yourself. International carriers are different. Many publish a strict 7 to 10 kg limit and enforce it at check-in or the gate, especially in Asia, the Middle East and Australia.
Size checks happen in a few ways:
- Sizers at the gate. Those metal frames near the boarding door are the final test. Low-cost carriers use them most often because a failed check means a gate fee.
- Full flights. When bins fill up, agents start checking bags at the gate. This is usually free on legacy airlines if your bag is a legal size. United charges for gate-checked bags on basic economy fares where a carry-on isn’t included.
- Regional jets. On smaller aircraft, full-size roller bags are often “valet” checked at the aircraft door and handed back when you land.
Basic economy passengers usually board last, so even a legal bag may end up gate-checked. If anything in it is vital for your cruise, like passports, medications or cruise documents, move it to your personal item before you board.
TSA 3-1-1 Liquids Rule and Other Security Rules
As of November 2026 the TSA 3-1-1 rule still applies at US checkpoints. Liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes must be in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. They all have to fit in one quart-size bag, and you get one bag per passenger. TSA has said it’s considering letting PreCheck members bring full water bottles through at airports with newer CT scanners. Until there’s an official announcement for your airport, pack as if the old rule applies.
- Exempt: medically necessary liquids, baby formula, breast milk and baby food in reasonable quantities. Tell the officer about them at screening.
- Shoes: since mid-2025, most travelers no longer have to take off their shoes at TSA checkpoints.
- Sunscreen and toiletries: full-size bottles of sunscreen and shampoo go in your checked bag, or you can buy them after you arrive at your port city.
- Batteries: power banks and spare lithium batteries must go in your carry-on, never in checked luggage.
The UK and much of Europe are changing their rules airport by airport as new scanners are installed, so limits can differ on your outbound and return flights. If you hate queues, our guide to CLEAR vs TSA PreCheck for cruisers explains which program saves more time on a fly-cruise trip.
How to Choose a Carry-On for Fly-Cruise Trips
The best carry-on for cruisers fits the strictest airline on your itinerary and still works on the ship. Some practical pointers:
- Size for your strictest flight. If any leg is on an international carrier or a regional jet, a 55 cm (21.5 inch) bag is the safest choice.
- Weigh it empty. Lightweight polycarbonate or soft-sided bags under about 2.5 kg (5.5 lb) leave more of a 7 to 8 kg allowance for your things.
- Avoid relying on expansion zippers. Airlines measure the bag as you present it. An expanded bag is often over the limit.
- Think about storage on board. Cruise cabins are small, and most suitcases are stored under the bed. Bags around 9 inches deep or slimmer slide under easily.
- Pair it with a good personal item. A backpack or tote with a trolley sleeve is ideal for embarkation day and shore excursions.
For more ways to save space, see our cruise packing tips and hacks from experienced cruisers.
What to Keep in Your Carry-On on Embarkation Day
Most general carry-on guides miss this part. At the cruise terminal, porters take your large suitcases, and they reach your stateroom door hours later, often late afternoon or early evening. Sometimes they arrive after the ship has sailed. Until then, everything you need is in your carry-on and personal item. Pack these for the flight and embarkation day:
- Travel documents: passport or other ID, boarding pass, cruise documents and printed or downloaded luggage tags.
- Medications: enough for several days, in original packaging, plus a copy of prescriptions.
- A change of clothes and swimwear, so you can enjoy the pool or dinner on day one.
- Chargers and a power bank (power banks are banned from checked luggage on the flight anyway). Check your cruise line’s rules on extension leads and surge protectors before you pack one.
- Valuables: jewelry, cameras, electronics and cash, which you should never put in checked bags.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses for a sailaway on deck. Buy full-size sunscreen after the flight if you can’t fit it in your liquids bag.
- Formal night outfit, if your first evening is a dressy one and your bags arrive late.
This also protects you if your airline loses your checked suitcase. The ship won’t wait for delayed luggage, and getting a bag forwarded to a later port is slow and not guaranteed. Flying in the day before your cruise is the best protection of all. Booking early helps keep that extra night affordable, and our guide to the best time to book flights explains how to time it.
Carry-On Rules on the Ship Itself
Cruise lines don’t measure carry-on bags the way airlines do, but you’ll carry them through a security scanner at the terminal. Cruise lines generally ban items such as irons, candles, weapons and some appliances that would be fine on a plane. Most mainstream lines also limit how much wine or alcohol you can bring at embarkation. Check your line’s prohibited items list before you leave home, because confiscated items are usually held until the end of the cruise.
FAQs
What is the standard carry-on luggage size?
In the US, 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including wheels and handles is the standard on American, Delta, United, Alaska, Hawaiian and JetBlue. Southwest allows 24 x 16 x 10 inches. Many international airlines use 55 cm in height.
Can a backpack be a carry-on?
Yes. A backpack can be your carry-on if it fits the carry-on size, or your personal item if it fits under the seat. A small backpack is a popular personal item for fly-cruise trips because it doubles as a day bag in port.
Is a 24-inch suitcase allowed as a carry-on?
Usually not. A typical 24-inch bag is over the 22-inch limit on most airlines. Southwest, Frontier and Sun Country accept bags up to 24 inches tall, but the bag must also meet their width and depth limits.
Do airlines weigh carry-on bags?
Most US airlines don’t. Many international airlines do, including Emirates, Qantas (7 kg) and Lufthansa (8 kg), especially at check-in for long-haul flights.
Does a personal item count as a carry-on?
No. On most full-service airlines you get one carry-on for the overhead bin and one personal item for under the seat. On basic economy and budget airlines, the personal item may be the only free bag.
