Airline Carry-On Size Comparison 2026: 20 Major Airlines
Exact carry-on dimensions, weight limits, and personal item sizes for 20 major airlines in 2026. Grouped by region with largest vs smallest analysis.
Carry-on allowances vary more than most travelers realize — the gap between the most and least generous airline is nearly double in volume terms. This comparison covers 20 major airlines, organized by region, with exact dimensions, weight limits, and personal item allowances as of 2026.
US Carriers — No Weight Limit
US domestic carriers are notably more generous than their global counterparts. None enforce a weight limit on carry-on bags for domestic flights.
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 56× 45× 22 cm | None (domestic) | 43× 33× 20 cm |
| United Airlines | 56× 35× 22 cm | None (domestic) | 43× 25× 22 cm |
| American Airlines | 56× 36× 23 cm | None (domestic) | 45× 35× 20 cm |
| Southwest Airlines | 61× 43× 25 cm | None | Free — no overhead fee |
| JetBlue Airways | 56× 45× 22 cm | None | 43× 33× 18 cm |
Southwest is the most generous US carrier: no carry-on fee and a larger size limit than most. JetBlue also offers free overhead bin carry-on on all fare types except Blue Basic.
European Budget — Strictest Limits
European low-cost carriers have tightened carry-on policies significantly in recent years, moving carry-on access behind a fee wall.
| Airline | Carry-On Size (paid) | Weight Limit | Free Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 55× 40× 20 cm | 10 kg | 40× 30× 20 cm |
| Wizz Air | 55× 40× 23 cm | 10 kg | 40× 30× 20 cm |
| easyJet | 56× 45× 25 cm | None | 45× 36× 20 cm (free) |
| Vueling | 55× 40× 20 cm | 10 kg | 35× 20× 20 cm |
| Norwegian | 55× 40× 23 cm | 10 kg | 35× 25× 50 cm |
Note: easyJet is the exception — one large cabin bag is included in all fares, not just the base tier. Ryanair's 20 cm depth limit is the most restrictive in this group.
European Full-Service
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa | 55× 40× 23 cm | 8 kg | 40× 30× 10 cm |
| British Airways | 56× 45× 25 cm | None (published) | 45× 36× 20 cm |
| Air France | 55× 35× 25 cm | 12 kg | 40× 30× 15 cm |
| KLM | 55× 35× 25 cm | 12 kg | 40× 30× 15 cm |
| Swiss | 55× 40× 23 cm | 8 kg | 40× 30× 10 cm |
Air France and KLM (both part of Air France-KLM) allow 12 kg — unusually generous for European carriers. British Airways does not publish a weight limit for Economy carry-on, though 23 kg is unofficially the cap.
Asian Carriers — 7–10 kg
Asian carriers consistently enforce weight limits, with 7 kg being the near-universal standard for economy class.
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | 55× 38× 22 cm | 7 kg | Included in weight |
| Japan Airlines | 55× 40× 25 cm AND 115 cm total | 10 kg combined | Counted in weight |
| ANA | 55× 40× 25 cm AND 115 cm total | 10 kg combined | Counted in weight |
| AirAsia | 56× 36× 23 cm | 7 kg | 40× 30× 10 cm |
ANA and JAL allow one main bag plus one personal item sharing 10 kg in all cabins. Main bag: 55× 40× 25 cm AND 115 cm total, including wheels and handles. On domestic aircraft below 100 seats: 45× 35× 20 cm / 100 cm total. ANA personal item: 40× 30× 20 cm; JAL requires underseat fit without a published numeric box.
Middle East Carriers — 7 kg Standard
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 55× 38× 22 cm | 7 kg | No universal extra item |
| Qatar Airways | 50× 37× 25 cm | 7 kg; Brazil exception | Small purse/briefcase; separate laptop bag counts as cabin baggage |
| Etihad Airways | 56× 36× 23 cm | 7 kg | Personal belongings inside the one Economy bag |
Qatar’s 50 cm length limit is shorter than the 55–56 cm limits shown for several other airlines in this table.
Australian Carriers
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qantas (international Economy) | 56× 36× 23 cm | 7 kg | Included in 7 kg |
| Virgin Australia | One standard 56×36×23 cm | 8 kg | 45×33×20 cm; additional, max 8 kg |
Qantas international Economy has a 7 kg maximum; domestic Economy/Business normally permits 14 kg total with 10 kg per item. Compare the actual route and every operating airline instead of treating Australian allowances as identical.
Largest vs Smallest Allowance Analysis
Most generous total allowance: Southwest Airlines — 61× 43× 25 cm with no weight limit and no carry-on fee, effectively unlimited cabin bag access.
Qatar Economy: the included bag measures 50× 37× 25 cm and normally weighs up to 7 kg. A 55 cm bag exceeds the published length; measure your own bag instead of relying on a generic cabin label.
Most restrictive free personal item: Ryanair — 40× 30× 20 cm (20 litres), compared to easyJet's effectively unlimited personal item policy (any bag included free at 45× 36× 20 cm).
Universal safe size: 55× 40× 20 cm fits within every airline's carry-on limit in this comparison. Buy a bag at this size and you will never have a sizing conflict.
Sources and scope
Source-based research; no hands-on test or specialist review claimed.
Ryanair: 40×30×20 cm free underseat bag.
Ryanair dimensions only; remaining sections were not reverified in this review.
Cabin BaggageSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Qatar cabin or checked allowance and route/combined-weight scope; removal of unsupported enforcement or fee claims
Scoped Qatar correction only; unrelated carrier and destination claims not recertified
Fare table; Baggage guidelines; Additional items; PartnersSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Qantas route, per-item and combined allowance correction; related scope as stated in article.
Only the identified correction; no full review of unrelated claims.
Relevant allowance table / product scopeSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Cabin allowances and route exceptions
Scoped official cabin review; other topics not recertified.
Cabin allowances and route exceptionsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
All fares include Economy 1×7 kg or Business 2×7 kg /14 kg total, 55×38×20 cm; personal 25×33×20 within allowance; AED200/USD55 gate excess per item plus possible local charges; conditional infant and stroller allowances.
Scoped carrier correction only; unrelated destination/security/other-carrier claims not recertified.
Economy; Business; personal items; boarding gate; infants; stroller FAQSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Economy1×7kg56×36×23;Business/First/Residence2pieces12kg combined, US1piece12kg; extra premium small bag23×39×19/5kg. Basic excludes checked baggage; excess cabin checked with charges; AUH liquid100ml/1L.
Scoped carrier correction only; unrelated destination/security/other-carrier claims not recertified.
Partner-flight FAQ cabin paragraphs; Basic fare; toiletriesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Economy one 8 kg bag; Business two bags each 8 kg; 55×40×23 cm. Personal item 40×30×15 cm/4 kg. US departures Business second cabin bag checked free. Infant cabin one 8 kg; Star Alliance Gold does not add cabin entitlement.
Scoped airline/transfer corrections only; unrelated destination facts and schedules not recertified.
Cabin baggage rules; personal item; US departures; infants; liquidsSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One main bag and one personal item share 10 kg in all cabins; 55×40×25 cm AND total 115 cm including handles/wheels. Personal item 40×30×20 cm.
Scoped encountered carrier claim correction; unrelated destination and other-carrier claims not recertified.
Free carry-on allowance / class-independent size and weight table; notesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One main bag and one personal item share 10 kg in all cabins; 55×40×25 cm AND total 115 cm including handles/wheels. Personal item must fit under seat; no numeric box published.
Scoped encountered carrier claim correction; unrelated destination and other-carrier claims not recertified.
Free carry-on allowance / class-independent size and weight table; notesSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
All listed classes one7 kg; premium/status extra is conditional. Box56×45×25 conflicts with lower115cm sentence; personal37.5×25×12.5 OR75cm/1.5kg.
Published carrier rule; aircraft, class, route and source limitations retained. AI review, not human verification.
Cabin table, free items, liquids, and oversized sectionSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Current official newsroom corroborates40×30×20/7kg; separate checked packaging dimensions are not cabin rules.
Published carrier rule; aircraft, class, route and source limitations retained. AI review, not human verification.
Cabin baggage bulletSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
One standard bag 56×36×23 cm/8 kg plus personal item 45×33×20 cm, no individual item over 8 kg. Premium alternatives use two smaller bags or standard bag plus suit pack sharing 14 kg. Domestic Australian LAG quantity restriction differs from international 100 ml containers.
Virgin Australia comparison row only; premium alternatives need separate confirmation.
Economy and premium allowance tables; personal item; no individual item over 8 kg; liquids; excessSource review: · Codex (AI source review)
Frequently asked questions
Which airline has the largest carry-on allowance in 2026?
Which airline has the strictest carry-on size limit?
Do US airlines have carry-on weight limits?
What carry-on size works on every airline listed?
Do Asian airlines have stricter weight limits than European airlines?
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