Measure it the way the sizer does
- Pack it first. A soft bag that measures fine empty can bulge past the limit full. Close any expansion zip.
- Stand it up on its wheels and measure the height from the floor to the top of the handle, pushed all the way down.
- Measure the width across the widest point, side handles and pockets included.
- Measure the depth from front to back at the deepest point, front pockets included.
- Compare longest with longest. Your tallest side against the airline’s first figure, and so on: the sizer doesn’t care which way up the bag goes.
On American Airlines the result has to be within 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm). The bag check on the home page compares your three numbers with every airline at once.
Wheels, handles and pockets
What each airline says about wheels and handles on its carry-on limit:
| Airline | Carry-on limit | Wheels and handles |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| Delta Air Lines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| United Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in | Count toward the size |
| JetBlue | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| Alaska Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| Frontier Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 in | Count toward the size |
| Allegiant Air | 22 × 16 × 10 in | Count toward the size |
| Hawaiian Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| Sun Country Airlines | 24 × 16 × 11 in | Count toward the size |
| Breeze Airways | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Count toward the size |
| Avelo Airlines | 22 × 14 × 9 in | Not stated |
| Ryanair | 55 × 40 × 20 cm | Not stated |
| easyJet | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | Count toward the size |
| British Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | Count toward the size |
| Wizz Air | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | Not counted |
| Jet2 | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | Count toward the size |
| AirAsia | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Count toward the size |
| Malaysia Airlines | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Not stated |
| Batik Air Malaysia | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Not stated |
| Singapore Airlines | Not stated | |
| Scoot | 54 × 38 × 23 cm | Not stated |
| Cathay Pacific | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Not stated |
| Air Canada | 55 × 40 × 23 cm | Count toward the size |
| WestJet | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Count toward the size |
| Jetstar Airways | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Not stated |
| Qantas | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Count toward the size |
| Virgin Australia | 56 × 36 × 23 cm | Not stated |
When the sides are added up
Delta, Alaska, Hawaiian, Malaysia Airlines, Batik Air, Singapore Airlines and Scoot also set a total: Delta 45 in, Alaska 45 in, Hawaiian 45 in, Malaysia Airlines 45.3 in, Batik Air 45.3 in, Singapore Airlines 45.3 in, Scoot 45.3 in. On Delta Air Lines a bag must pass both tests: no side over 22 × 14 × 9 in, and no more than 45 in added together. Checked bags work the same way, usually 62 linear inches.
If it’s borderline
A soft-sided bag can be squeezed into a sizer; a hard shell can’t. If yours is right at the limit, pack the outside pockets last and lightly, and keep anything bulky in your personal item.