US Airline Carry-On Rules (2026): Size & Basic Economy

American, Delta, Alaska Saver and JetBlue Blue Basic include an overhead carry-on plus a personal item. United Basic Economy has different rules, while Frontier and Allegiant generally charge for an overhead bag unless your booking includes it. A low fare does not automatically mean a personal-item-only fare.

Compare US carry-on sizes and fares

Measure the packed bag, including wheels, handles and exterior pockets. Dimensions below are in inches; 22 × 14 × 9 in = 55.88 × 35.56 × 22.86 cm. Do not round down a bag that is close to the limit.

Alaska's dimension reference is its published packing guidance; its current Saver page confirms the included bag. The table concerns cabin baggage. A checked-bag allowance or fee is a separate policy and does not tell you whether a carry-on is included.

United Basic Economy exceptions

United's standard allowance is one carry-on and one personal item. Basic Economy generally permits only the personal item, but its published policy includes carry-ons on flights to South America and on transatlantic and transpacific flights. Eligible Premier members, qualifying primary cardholders, Star Alliance Gold members and certain accompanying travelers can also qualify. Not every United credit card provides the benefit.

Read the baggage allowance on your reservation and the United policy before packing. Gate charges depend on the ticket and current fee schedule; a single flat fee would be misleading.

An included bag does not guarantee overhead space

A full cabin or a smaller aircraft may require a compliant bag to be checked at the gate. Delta specifically notes restrictions on small Delta Connection aircraft; United also describes smaller-aircraft limits. This is different from buying a fare without a carry-on allowance. Follow the operating carrier's boarding instructions.

JetBlue's Blue Basic policy changed for travel from 6 September 2024. Older advice that it never includes a carry-on is outdated. Alaska Saver also includes a carry-on; boarding later does not remove that allowance.

Weight, add-ons and other US airlines

Frontier publishes a 35 lb (15.9 kg) carry-on cap. Allegiant's linked page gives cabin-bag dimensions but does not state a separate carry-on weight cap; its checked-bag weight rule must not be applied to cabin bags. Avoid assuming that every US airline has the same weight policy.

Sun Country’s official contract specifies a paid 24×16×11 in overhead bag up to 35 lb and a free 17×13×9 in personal item. The retail fee page remained unavailable; confirm current booking prices. See the Sun Country guide.

Spirit is historical here: the airline announced the wind-down of operations on 2 May 2026. Its former bag rules should not be used to plan an upcoming flight.

Check the whole trip

1. Identify the operating airline for each flight, including connections.
2. Confirm whether your fare or purchased add-on includes an overhead bag.
3. Measure the packed exterior and check any published weight cap.
4. Use the bag fit checker for your measurements or the route checker for different airlines on the same trip.

For international comparisons, see the carry-on luggage size chart in inches and centimetres.