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Underseat Luggage Size Guide for Airlines [2025]: Personal Item Dimensions That Fit

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May 23, 2024

Table of Contents

Not all underseat bags are created equal. Each airline has its own rules for what qualifies as a personal item—and the last thing you want is to get flagged at the gate.

In this updated guide, we break down the underseat luggage size limits for major U.S. and international airlines, compare personal item dimensions, and share tips for choosing a bag that fits comfortably under the seat in front of you.

Whether you’re flying United, Delta, JetBlue, or Spirit, this cheat sheet will help you avoid surprise fees and pack smarter in 2025.

Airlines Underseat Luggage Size

Airline	Underseat Size (Inches)	Underseat Size (Centimeter)
Air Canada	17 x 13 x 6	43 x 33 x 16 cm
Air France	16 x 12 x 6	40 x 30 x 15 cm
Alaska Airlines	Not specified. Seat width approximately 17″
Allegiant Air	8 x 14 x 18	20 x 35 x 45 cm
American Airlines	18 x 14 x 8	45 x 35 x 20 cm
British Airways	16 x 12 x 6	40 x 30 x 15 cm
Delta Air Lines	Items such as: purse, briefcase, small backpack, camera bag, diaper bag, laptop bag
EasyJet	18 x 14 x 8	45 x 36 x 20 cm
Frontier Airlines	18 x 14 x 8	45 x 35 x 20 cm
Hawaiian Airlines	Items such as: purse, briefcase, laptop computer, small backpack, or similar piece. Most seats are 18 inches wide.
Jet Blue	17 x 13 x 8	43.2 x 33 x 20.32 cm
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines	16 x 12 x 6	40 x 30 x 15 cm
Lufthansa	15 x 11 x 3.9	40 x 30 x 10 cm
Norwegian Airlines	14.9 x 11.8 x 7.8	55 x 40 x 23 cm
Qatar	19 x 14.6 x 8	50 x 37 x 25 cm
Ryanair	16 x 8 x 10	40 x 20 x 25 cm
Southwest Airlines	16.25 x 13.5 x 8	47 x 22 x 34 cm
Spirit Airlines	18 x 14 x 8	45 x 35 x 20 cm
Sun Country Airlines	17 x 13 x 9	43 x 33 x 23 cm
United Airlines	9 x 10 x 17	22 x 25 x 43 cm

What is Underseat Luggage?

Underseat luggage is any bag that can fit under the seat in front of you. This includes small wheeled suitcases, small backpacks, tote bags, handbags, duffle bags, messenger bags, laptop bags, camera bags, briefcases, and other similar items.

Takeoff underseat luggage — Small Suitcase

TopBag Travel Duffle Bag — Photo: Amazon

What is a Personal Item?

A personal item is a smaller bag that you’re allowed to bring onto the airplane in addition to your carry-on bag. It’s typically a purse, backpack, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of you. Airlines have strict rules concerning the size of under-seat luggage: if your personal item exceeds an airline’s under-seat dimensions, it will have to be checked, which usually means paying a fee.

underseat luggage Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body — Crossbody Bag

underseat luggage dimensions Micheal Kors — Crossbody Bag

The Difference Between Personal Items and Underseat Luggage?

The main difference between a personal item and underseat luggage is that a personal item is a smaller bag that must fit under the seat in front of you, while underseat luggage can be any bag that fits under the seat. Personal items are typically smaller and more flexible than underseat luggage, and they are subject to less strict size restrictions.

Knowing the difference between a personal item and underseat luggage is important when preparing for air travel. While personal items are smaller and subject to less strict size restrictions, underseat luggage can be any bag that fits under the seat. Always double-check with the airline’s official website before packing to ensure that your bags meet the size restrictions.

Key Underseat Luggage Sizes to Consider

The dimensions for underseat luggage can vary greatly depending on the airline. However, a good rule of thumb is that a bag under 16 x 12 x 6 inches should be accepted as underseat luggage by most airlines. Some airlines have more specific size restrictions that can range from around 13 x 10 x 8 inches up to 18 x 14 x 10 inches for underseat bags.

Remember that these dimensions are approximate and can vary between airlines. Some airlines might allow slightly larger dimensions, while others might have stricter size limits.

Factors to Evaluate When Choosing Underseat Luggage Size

Airline Regulations: Check the specific size requirements for carry-on bags, both for overhead bins and underseat storage, for the airlines you plan to fly with. Airlines often provide these details on their websites.
Personal Needs: Consider what items you’ll be carrying and whether you need more space. If you’re just carrying essentials for a short trip, a smaller bag might suffice. If you need to carry a laptop, documents, and more, a slightly larger bag might be necessary.
Comfort: Make sure the dimensions you choose allow the bag to fit comfortably under the seat in front of you without causing discomfort during the flight.
Durability and Features: Pay attention to the design and features of the underseat luggage. Look for durable materials, compartments for easy organization, and additional features that suit your travel style.
Weight: Don’t forget to consider the weight of the bag itself. Many airlines have weight restrictions for carry-on bags, so choose a bag that leaves you enough weight allowance for your belongings.
Flexibility: Aim for a bag with a little flexibility in its dimensions. This can be helpful if you encounter situations where the bag needs to fit into a slightly different space.

It’s crucial to check with each airline you’ll be flying with to determine their exact size limitations for underseat luggage before purchasing a bag. Restrictions can differ considerably between airlines. Checking an airline’s website in advance and opting for an adjustable underseat bag that allows some flexibility in sizing can help ensure your luggage complies with policies and fits under the seat during your flight.

Underseat Luggage Frequently asked Question

What happens if an under-seat bag is too large?

If your underseat bag exceeds the airline’s published size restrictions for underseat luggage, there are a few possible outcomes:

You may be asked to check the bag at the gate rather than bring it onboard. This could result in a checked bag fee.
If the bag still fits within the airline’s standard carry-on dimensions, you may be able to place it in an overhead bin instead of under the seat. Overhead space is often limited, so this is not guaranteed.
Some airlines may allow slightly oversized underseat bags if space permits. But be prepared to check the bag if told it won’t fit under the seat.
You could be charged an additional fee to bring an oversized underseat bag onboard as a carry-on item. Policies vary by airline.

The best approach is to ensure your underseat bag adheres to the airline’s published size restrictions in advance to avoid issues. If it is non-compliant, be ready to check it or pay extra fees. But in some cases, an oversized underseat bag may still fit in the overhead bin.

How strict are airlines about personal item size?

Airlines can be strict with personal item size, as they have specific size restrictions for underseat luggage that must be followed. It is important to check with the airline you are flying with to determine their specific size restrictions for underseat luggage.

Do airlines prefer hard or soft luggage?

Airlines do not have a preference for hard or soft luggage for underseat storage. The most important factor is that the luggage fits within the size restrictions for underseat storage

What is the easiest luggage to travel with?

The easiest luggage to travel with is subjective and depends on personal preference. However, some features to consider when choosing underseat luggage include excellent quality of construction, multiple ways to carry the bag, and internal organization options

What can’t you put in a personal item bag?

The items that are not allowed in a personal item bag vary depending on the airline and the country you are flying to.

However, in general, items that are not allowed in a personal item bag include weapons, explosives, flammable items, and liquids over 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). It is important to check with the airline you are flying with to determine their specific restrictions for personal item bags.

Need help finding a bag that fits your favorite airline?

Check out our Best Personal Items for Frontier and Spirit Airlines or Personal Item Size Guide to keep your trip stress-free.