Airlines With the Best Carry-On Policies (2026)

The useful allowance is the one that fits your packed bag and is included in the fare you will buy. Compare dimensions, weight, number of pieces and personal-item rules together. A generous weight limit does not compensate for a bag that is too wide, and a paid checked bag does not buy overhead space.

Compare published allowances

“No numeric maximum published” is not unlimited carrying capacity: the bag must still be manageable and fit its permitted storage location. For inch-based policies, compare the original inches or the checker's exact conversions rather than rounding centimetres upward.

The distinctions that change the result

Air Tahiti Nui: Economy and Premium permit one 10 kg main bag; Business permits one 12 kg main bag. Each class permits one additional 3 kg personal item. The weights cannot be pooled into a 13 or 15 kg main bag. The published size rule is 115 cm total, with safe stowage required. Air Tahiti, the inter-island airline, has a different policy.

Lufthansa: Economy Light and short-/medium-haul Economy Basic are different fares. The latter includes only a 40×30×15 cm personal item unless an add-on or qualifying status provides a main bag. Long-haul Economy Basic includes the main bag. Confirm the route, fare and operating carrier.

easyJet: the free item goes under the seat. A seat choice alone does not establish a large-bag entitlement. Check the large bag shown in the booking and any membership conditions; some benefits depend on cabin space.

Wizz Air: each permitted bag has its own 10 kg cap. Its published size convention excludes handles and allows wheels to add up to 5 cm; the checker uses the nominal dimensions and does not resolve that wheel exception.

Southwest, Delta and American: included cabin baggage does not mean all checked baggage is free. Small aircraft can also require hold transfer of a main bag. Keep essential items accessible and remove power banks and spare batteries before hold handover.

Choose for your actual trip

1. Measure and weigh the bag you intend to take, including packed pockets and protruding parts.
2. Identify the operating airline and fare on every segment, including separate tickets.
3. Compare the complete price with any needed cabin entitlement or checked baggage.
4. Check personal-item dimensions and whether its weight is separate or combined.
5. Plan for limited cabin space even when the bag meets the rules.

Use the bag checker, airline comparison and route checker. Select the applicable fare; the tools do not determine every route, status or airport exception. There is no measured enforcement score or guaranteed-bin-space ranking in this comparison.

Sources and scope

Air Tahiti Nui was checked on 30 September 2026. The other examples reuse the official-source reviews recorded in the corresponding airline guides and data; this is a comparison of the stated scenarios, not every fare or airline worldwide.

• Southwest carry-on policy: included pieces and inch dimensions.
• Air Tahiti Nui baggage allowances: class, linear dimensions and separate personal-item weight.
• easyJet cabin bags: small and large bags, 15 kg and entitlement.
• Delta carry-on baggage: main bag and personal item.
• American carry-on baggage: dimensions and included pieces.
• Lufthansa carry-on baggage: fare, route and class distinctions.
• Wizz Air cabin baggage: free small bag, Priority trolley and measurement convention.