There's a lot to take in when it comes to the complex world of airfare -- particularly as it pertains to carry-on rules. To make matters more confusing, sometimes the airline you fly out on isn't the one you fly back with. Booking sites like Kayak and Skyscanner will often compile itineraries with different airlines to offer the best price. All of this makes it tough to figure out the size and weight of a bag you're allowed to bring into the cabin. To help, we've broken down the carry-on guidelines for 11 major U.S. carriers. If applicable, we also took into account fare class. Consider this your cheat sheet.
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Alaska Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One carry-on and one personal item, such as a purse or briefcase
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: Not specified, but you must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead compartment
Exceptions: The following items count as carry-ons and can exceed the standard carry-on dimensions, if they can be “safely stowed” in the cabin:
- Art/advertising portfolios
- Human organs
- Paintings
- Delicate scientific equipment
- Fishing poles
- Small musical instruments
Allegiant Air
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item; you can purchase one carry-on bag per passenger
Carry-On Bag Fee: Priced by route
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: Not specified
American Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One carry-on and one personal item
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: Not specified
Other Rules: Musical instruments count as carry-ons and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. Pet kennels and containers also count as carry-ons and carry-on pet fees apply (see here for more information).
Delta Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One carry-on and one personal item
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: No maximum, except for the following airports:
- Changi International Airport, Singapore (SIN): Carry-on should not exceed 15 pounds
- Incheon International Airport, South Korea (ICN): Carry-on should not exceed 22 pounds
- Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK): Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requires that domestic carry-on bags should not exceed 10 kilograms. Individual carrier rules apply for international flights.
- Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG): Carry-on should not exceed 22 pounds
Other Rules: Musical instruments count as carry-ons, but must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. Pet kennels and containers also count as carry-ons and carry-on pet fees apply (see here for more information).
Frontier Airlines: Standard
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item; you can purchase carry-on bags
Carry-On Bag Fee: Depends on when and how the bag was purchased
- Online at booking: $35 ($30 during certain times)
- Online, between booking and 24 hours pre-departure: $38
- Call center: $40
- Web check-in: $40
- Airport ticket counter or kiosk: $45
- Departure gate: $60
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (including wheels, handles, and straps)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: No more than 35 pounds
Frontier Airlines: The WORKS and The PERKS
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item and one carry-on bag
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (including wheels, handles, and straps)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: No more than 35 pounds
Hawaiian Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item and one carry-on bag
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels, handles, and straps)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: 25 pounds
Other Rules: Musical instruments can be taken onboard as a carry-on regardless of size, if it can be stowed and there’s space.
JetBlue
What You’re Allowed to Bring on For Free: One personal item and one carry-on bag
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: None specified
Southwest Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item and one carry-on bag
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 24 x 16 x 10 inches (including wheels, handles, and straps)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: None specified
Other Rules: Pet kennels and containers count as carry-ons.
Spirit Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item
Carry-On Bag Fee: Depends on route and how and when carry-on is purchased. Use this calculator to find out what yours will cost.
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: None specified
Sun Country Airlines
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item; carry-ons can be purchased
Carry-On Bag Fee: $30 (U.S. $48), $35 (all other routes). Free for UFly Rewards Elite members as well as active U.S. military members.
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 24 x 16 x 11 inches (including wheels, handles, and straps)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: 35 pounds
United Airlines: Basic Economy
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item (MileagePlus members are allowed a free carry-on)
Carry-On Bag Fee: Bags brought to the gate will incur a checked bag fee (calculate here) as well as a $25 handling charge.
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-On: None specified
Other Rules: Musical instruments count as carry-ons and must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. Pet kennels and containers also count as carry-ons.
United Airlines: All Other Fares
What You’re Allowed to Bring on for Free: One personal item and one carry-on
Carry-On Bag Fee: Depends on route and how and when the carry-on is purchased
Maximum Dimensions for Carry-Ons: 22 x 14 x 9 inches (including wheels and handles)
Maximum Weight for Carry-Ons: None specified
Other Rules: Musical instruments count as carry-ons and must fit n the overhead bin or under the seat. Pet kennels and containers also count as carry-ons.
You’ll Also Like:
- The 10 Essential Carry-On Bags for Weekend Travel
- 9 Carry-On Bags That You Can Take on Ryanair and Other Budget Airlines
- How to Live Out of a Carry-On for Months at a Time
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