The Complete Carry-On Size Guide for 2026: All Airlines
Carry-on dimensions and weight limits for 30+ major airlines in one table. Ryanair, easyJet, Delta, Emirates, and more — the cheat sheet for 2026.
The Complete Carry-On Size Guide for 2026: All Airlines
Carry-on size limits vary more than most travelers expect — the difference between the smallest allowance (Ryanair's free 40×20×25 cm) and the largest (Southwest's 61×40×25 cm) is enormous. Getting this wrong means paying gate bag fees that can exceed the original ticket price on some budget carriers.
This guide covers the carry-on and personal item dimensions for over 30 major airlines as of 2026.
How to Read This Guide
Dimensions are listed in centimetres as Height × Width × Depth (H×W×D), measuring the total external size of the bag including handles, wheels, and pockets.
Weight limits listed are for the carry-on bag (not personal item), where enforced.
"Free" means included without additional purchase. Budget carriers often charge for the larger cabin bag size — the free tier is the bag you get without paying extra.
European Airlines
Budget Carriers
| Airline | Free Carry-On | Paid/Priority Carry-On | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 40×20×25 cm | 55×40×20 cm (Priority) | 10 kg (Priority) |
| easyJet | 45×36×20 cm (under seat) | 56×45×25 cm (paid) | No limit |
| Wizz Air | 40×30×20 cm | 55×40×23 cm (paid) | 10 kg (paid) |
| Vueling | 40×20×30 cm | 55×40×20 cm (paid) | 10 kg (paid) |
| Jet2 | 56×45×25 cm | — | 10 kg |
Notes:
- Ryanair: The free "small personal bag" must fit under the seat. The overhead bin is reserved for Priority passengers and those who paid for a cabin bag. This is the most restrictive free tier in Europe.
- easyJet: All passengers get a small under-seat bag (45×36×20 cm) free. The larger overhead bag (56×45×25 cm) requires purchasing FLEXI or Hands Free fare, or paying separately.
- Wizz Air: Similar to Ryanair — free tier is under-seat only. Overhead bin access requires WIZZ Priority or a paid bag add-on.
Network Carriers
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 56×45×25 cm | 23 kg (combined) | 45×36×20 cm |
| Lufthansa | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg | 40×30×10 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 |
| Austrian Airlines | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg | 40×30×10 cm |
| Iberia | 56×45×25 cm | 10 kg | 36×23×20 cm |
| Alitalia/ITA Airways | 55×35×25 cm | 8 kg | 45×36×20 cm |
| TAP Air Portugal | 55×40×20 cm | 8 kg | 40×30×15 cm |
| Finnair | 56×45×25 cm | 8 kg | 40×30×15 cm |
| SAS | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg | 40×30×10 cm |
Notes:
- British Airways: The 23 kg combined limit is unusually generous — the carry-on and personal item together must not exceed 23 kg, but individual bag weight is not separately capped.
- Lufthansa group (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian) shares the same 55×40×23 cm, 8 kg policy.
US Airlines
US airlines generally do not enforce weight limits on carry-on bags. Size limits are the primary constraint.
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 56×35×23 cm | No limit | 43×33×18 cm |
| American Airlines | 56×36×23 cm | No limit | 43×25×22 cm |
| United Airlines | 56×35×22 cm | No limit | 43×25×22 cm |
| Southwest Airlines | 61×40×25 cm (approx) | No limit | 43×33×18 cm |
| Alaska Airlines | 56×36×23 cm | No limit | 43×33×18 cm |
| JetBlue | 56×36×23 cm | No limit | 43×33×18 cm |
| Spirit Airlines | 56×36×23 cm | 35 lbs (15.9 kg) | 45×35×20 cm |
| Frontier Airlines | 56×36×23 cm | No limit | 45×35×20 cm |
Notes:
- Southwest Airlines: Published dimensions vary by source. Southwest is notably lenient in enforcement. Their bags go in the overhead bin for free, which distinguishes them from Spirit and Frontier.
- Spirit and Frontier: Budget carriers that charge for overhead bin carry-on bags. The "personal item" fits under the seat and is free; the overhead bag costs extra.
Middle East Airlines
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emirates | 55×38×20 cm | 7 kg | Not specified |
| Qatar Airways | 50×37×25 cm | 7 kg | Not specified |
| Etihad Airways | 50×40×25 cm | 7 kg | 40×30×15 cm |
| Turkish Airlines | 55×40×23 cm | 8 kg | 40×30×15 cm |
| flydubai | 55×38×20 cm | 7 kg | 40×30×15 cm |
| Air Arabia | 55×40×20 cm | 7 kg | — |
Notes:
- Gulf carriers consistently enforce the 7 kg weight limit more strictly than US or European carriers. Weigh your bag before travel.
- Qatar Airways: Premium cabin passengers get 7 kg per bag with two bags permitted; economy is one bag at 7 kg.
Asia-Pacific Airlines
| Airline | Carry-On Size | Weight Limit | Personal Item |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | 55×38×20 cm | 7 kg | — |
| Cathay Pacific | 56×36×23 cm | 7 kg | — |
| Japan Airlines (JAL) | 55×40×23 cm | 10 kg | — |
| ANA (All Nippon Airways) | 55×40×25 cm | 10 kg | — |
| Korean Air | 55×40×20 cm | 10 kg | 20×40×33 cm |
| Qantas | 56×36×23 cm | 7 kg | — |
| Air New Zealand | 55×42×25 cm | 7 kg | — |
| AirAsia | 56×36×23 cm | 7 kg | — |
| IndiGo | 55×35×25 cm | 7 kg | — |
Notes:
- Japan and Korean carriers (JAL, ANA, Korean Air) are among the most generous in Asia at 10 kg.
- AirAsia: Budget carrier that enforces size limits. The overhead bin allowance is paid; free tier is a personal item only.
Key Takeaways
The Safest Universal Carry-On Size
A bag measuring 55×35×20 cm fits within published limits of nearly all airlines worldwide. This is slightly more conservative than the 55×40×23 cm that many carriers allow, but gives you a single bag that works everywhere including stricter airlines.
If you exclusively fly US carriers, a bag up to 56×36×23 cm is the standard and fits all major US airlines.
Budget Carrier Warning: Free vs Paid Sizes Are Very Different
On Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet, Spirit, Frontier, and AirAsia, there is a major difference between what you get free and what requires a paid upgrade. Always check whether your fare includes an overhead bin bag or just an under-seat bag:
- Ryanair free: 40×20×25 cm (under seat only)
- Ryanair paid/Priority: 55×40×20 cm (overhead)
The difference is the difference between bringing a day bag versus a week's worth of clothes.
Weight Limits Are Enforced More in the Middle East and Asia
US airlines almost never weigh carry-on bags. European network carriers often enforce limits but inconsistently. Gulf carriers (Emirates, Qatar, Etihad) and Asian carriers regularly weigh bags at the gate. If your carry-on weighs more than 7–8 kg, you will likely be asked to check it or redistribute weight on these carriers.
When Airlines Measure Differently
Some airlines state bag dimensions that include handles and wheels in the measurement; others measure only the main compartment. The safest approach: measure your bag with the handle extended and wheels included in the height measurement.
Personal Items: The Extra Bag Strategy
Most airlines allow one personal item in addition to the carry-on. This is typically sized at 40×30×15 cm to 43×33×18 cm — large enough for a laptop bag, backpack, or large handbag. Used strategically, a personal item can carry a significant amount of the belongings that would otherwise go in the carry-on.
See our guide on personal item vs carry-on for strategy on maximizing this allowance.
Quick Reference: Most Common Sizes
| Size Category | Fits This Size | Example Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Universal safe size | 55×35×20 cm | Almost all airlines |
| Standard European | 55×40×23 cm | Lufthansa, Swiss, SAS, TAP |
| Standard US | 56×36×23 cm | American, United, Delta, JetBlue |
| Gulf carriers | 55×38×20 cm | Emirates, flydubai |
| Ryanair Priority | 55×40×20 cm | Ryanair (paid) |
| Ryanair free | 40×20×25 cm | Ryanair (under seat only) |
| Southwest | 61×40×25 cm | Southwest only |
This guide is updated regularly. Airline policies change — always verify your specific airline's current rules before travel.
Frequently asked questions
Which airline has the strictest carry-on size limit?▾
Ryanair has the most restrictive free cabin bag allowance: 40×20×25 cm (the 'personal item' size on other airlines). Only passengers with Priority boarding get the larger 55×40×20 cm bag free. Wizz Air's free bag is similarly small at 40×30×20 cm.
Which airlines have no carry-on weight limit?▾
US carriers including Delta, American Airlines, United, and Southwest do not enforce a carry-on weight limit — only size. European network carriers (BA, Lufthansa, Air France) typically have weight limits of 8–12 kg. Budget carriers (Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air) vary.
Do all airlines measure carry-on bags the same way?▾
No. Some airlines state dimensions in L×W×H format, others in H×W×D. More importantly, some include wheels and handles in the measurement (the 'total linear inches/cm' approach), while others measure only the bag shell. Always measure your bag with wheels and handles included to be safe.
Can I use the same carry-on bag on every airline?▾
A bag measuring approximately 55×35×20 cm fits within the published limits of most major airlines worldwide and is a safe universal size. This corresponds to a bag with roughly 38 litres of capacity. Ryanair (free tier) and Wizz Air (free tier) are the exceptions requiring a smaller bag.
What happens if my carry-on is too big?▾
If the airline checks your bag at the gate or counter and it does not fit the size gauge, you will be required to check it and pay the checked bag fee — which is often more expensive when paid at the gate. Ryanair's gate check fee can exceed €50. Always measure your bag before travel.
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