Find out the difference between a carry-on bag and personal item including size limits and airline rules
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Carry-On Baggage and Personal Items
Travelling with just a carry-on and a personal item can make your journey smoother. But, you must know the difference to avoid surprises at the gate.
- A carry-on bag is a larger bag that fits in the overhead bin.
- A personal item is a smaller bag, like a backpack or purse, that fits under the seat in front of you.
Size and weight limits vary by airline, so it's important to check policies before you fly. In this guide, we'll break down the essentials to help you navigate airline baggage rules and pack smarter for your trip.
What is a Personal Item?
In most cases, an airline will allow you to bring one carry-on baggage and one personal item. A personal item is normally something like a purse, laptop, backpack or camera case.
Personal items should always be small enoughto fit underneath the seat in front of you. You may also be eligible to carry an umbrella, jacket or bag for an infant.
The maximum size for a personal item is normally 45 x 35 x 20 cm (18 x 14 x 8 inches). However, always check each airline's personal item policy before going to the airport.
Your personal item bag is ideal for carrying your important travel documents, electronics, wallet, keys, medications, glasses, books, hand sanitiser, etc, or anything else that you need easy access to during your flight.
What is Carry-On Baggage?
Carry-on bags, sometimes known as hand luggage or cabin baggage, are items of luggage that are taken into the plane's cabin. They are not checked in before your flight and are normally stored in the overhead storage compartment above your seat.
Individual airlines tend to have strict policies about the height or weight of carry-on baggage, but, generally speaking, the standard size for cabin baggage is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm(22in x 18in x 10in).
Your carry-on bag is ideal for things like larger electronic devices, snacks, drinks, clothes and toiletries.
What Cabin Baggage Rules Do I Need to Follow?
Imagine getting to your boarding gate and being told that your carry-on bag is too large. Or your personal item isn't actually included in your ticket! To avoid this stressful scenario, we recommend following these tips below:
- Many airlines have specific size limits for carry-on bags. The standard carry-on size is 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches). However, it's important to double-check with your airline.
- Weight restrictions may also apply. Some airlines state that carry-on bags cannot weigh more than 7-10kg (15-22 lbs). Again, double-check this information with the airline you're flying with.
- Personal items can be a smaller bag or object that fits under the seat in front of you. This includes a purse, small backpack, laptop bag, briefcase, camera bag, diaper bag or a small tote bag. Normally, your personal item cannot be larger than 45 x 35 x 20 cm (18 x 14 x 8 inches).
- If you're packing liquids, make sure they're in 100ml containers. They must fit in a quart-sized, clear, resealable bag.
Need help?
If you have any concerns or questions regarding cabin baggage, we're here to help. You can reach us via our Contact page - our Customer Service team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, you can take a look at our FAQs below!
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FAQs
What is allowed in a carry-on bag?
You can pack the following items in a carry-on bag:
Clothes and Personal Items
- Clothes, shoes and accessories such as hats, scarves and belts, are allowed.
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hairbrushes and razors are allowed. Liquids, gels and aerosols must be in 100ml containers that fit inside a quart-sized, clear plastic, resealable bag.
Electronics
- You can pack laptops, tablets and mobile phones. However, these need to be removed and screened separately at security checkpoints.
- Cameras, e-readers and headphones can be packed and don't need to be screened separately.
- Charging cables and power banks with lithium batteries are also allowed. These need to be in your carry-on bag rather than your checked baggage for safety reasons.
Medication
- You're allowed to pack prescription medication (solid and liquid). Make sure you keep the original containers with the prescription label in case you get questioned at security checkpoints.
- Medical devices such as insulin, syringes and inhalers are allowed, however, these need to be declared at security.
- Other medications like painkillers, allergy medication and vitamins are allowed.
Food and Drink
- Snacks, like sandwiches, fruit, crisps and sweets, are allowed in your carry-on bag.
- Drinks or other liquid food items, such as soups, are restricted to 100ml containers or less unless purchased after the security checkpoint.
- Baby formula, breast milk, baby food and juice are exempt from the 100ml container rule when travelling with a baby/toddler. Be prepared for additional screening.
Documents and Essentials
- Your passport, ID, boarding pass and any other travel documents need to be in your carry-on or personal item bag.
- Keys, wallets and credit cards should also be in your personal item bag.
Other Items:
- Other than what's listed, you can also pack books, magazines, jewellery, duty-free items, small sports equipment and small musical instruments.
What isn't allowed in a carry-on bag?
You should avoid packing:
- Sharp objects such as knives, scissors with blades longer than 4 inches, box cutters or corkscrews.
- Firearms, ammunition or explosives.
- Liquids or gels in containers larger than 100ml, including full-size toiletries and drinks from home.
What is a personal item on a plane?
A personal item can be a purse, laptop, umbrella, camera case, book, or small backpack. Personal items need to be small enough to be stowed securely and safely under the seat in front of you. In many instances, an airline will allow you to bring one personal item in addition to your one carry-on bag allowance.
Is a backpack considered a personal item on a plane?
Every airline will have different weight and/or size restrictions when it comes to qualifying what a personal item is. In most instances, if your bag will fit comfortably under the seat in front of you, it will be considered a personal item.
Therefore, small backpacks or handbags are usually considered to be a personal item. However, be sure to check your airline's restrictions before you travel to the airport.
What's the difference between a cabin bag and carry-on luggage?
Whether it's called hand baggage, cabin bag or carry-on luggage, all of these refer to the piece of baggage that you will take onto the plane with you. This piece of baggage should generally be small enough to fit into the overhead compartment.
If your hand baggage is too large to fit in the overhead lockers, you may have to check it in for an additional cost. For this reason, you should always check the airline's baggage policy before leaving for the airport.
If you feel like you've bought a flight with too small a baggage allowance and you need to book additional baggage, please visit our page on 'How to Book Baggage.'
What's the cabin baggage allowance for easyJet?
easyJet allows passengers to bring one item of hand baggage with maximum dimensions of 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm (22in x 18in x 10in). For more information on easyjet's baggage policies, please visit our easyJet page.
What's the cabin baggage allowance for United?
United Airlines allows each passenger to bring one carry-on and one personal item. The maximum dimensions for your personal item are 23cm x 25 cm x 43 cm (9 in x 10 in x 17 in).
Can I add cabin baggage to my booking?
Yes, in many instances you can add additional baggage to your booking, although this will depend on your airline and ticket fare.
If you have already made your booking, you can log-in to your Alternative Airlines account to manage your booking.
This also includes the option to add additional baggage, if this option is available. Alternatively, you can also contact our Customer Service Team and we'll take a look into this for you.
Which airlines have free carry-on baggage allowance?
Most airlines allow you to take a cabin bag with you for free as it may be included in your ticket. However, some low-cost airlines require you to purchase a carry-on baggage allowance (such as Ryanair and easyJet).
Take a look at our list of airlines with free baggage allowance for more information.
