New Carry-On Rules in 2026: What's Changed at Major Airlines

Carry-on rules evolve constantly — airlines adjust fees, enforcement, sizing policies, and the way they handle exceptions. 2026 has seen continued tightening at budget carriers, technology changes affecting the liquids rule at some airports, and new guidance on carry-on bag fees at US ultra-low-cost carriers. Here's what frequent flyers need to know.

1. ULCC Fee Increases (US Budget Carriers)

Ultra-low-cost carriers in the United States have continued to increase the cost of carry-on bag fees for passengers who don't pre-purchase. Key changes in 2026:

Spirit Airlines has further adjusted its carry-on fee structure, with gate fees for non-pre-purchased carry-ons now reaching $99–$199 depending on route and booking timing. The gap between booking-time fees (≈$50–75) and gate fees continues to widen.

Frontier Airlines similarly has increased gate-enforcement fees. The policy of offering only a personal item (40 × 20 × 25 cm) in the base fare remains unchanged, with overhead carry-on access requiring a paid add-on.

What this means: On US ULCCs, compare carry-on prices at booking. Calculate your total cost with baggage included when comparing ULCC fares against Southwest or legacy carriers; Southwest's checked-bag allowance now depends on fare and eligibility.

2. Liquid Rules: CT Scanner Rollout at Major Airports

The 100ml liquid rule — introduced following the 2006 liquid explosives plot — has been in place for nearly two decades. Advanced CT (computed tomography) scanners, which can analyze liquids in bags without requiring them to be removed, are changing the rule in some airports.

Current status (2026):

Important: The liquid rule exemption applies at specific airports where CT scanners are deployed. If your journey includes a connection through an airport that still uses traditional X-ray equipment, you must still comply with 100ml limits for that leg. Always check the specific departing airport's rules.

For travelers: Do not assume the liquid rule has changed universally. Carrying a compliant 1-liter liquids bag with 100ml containers remains the safest approach for mixed-airport itineraries.

3. Stricter Weight Enforcement at Asian Carriers

Several Asian carriers have resumed or intensified carry-on weight enforcement following post-pandemic operational normalization. This includes:

Singapore Airlines: The 7 kg carry-on limit is being enforced more consistently at check-in, particularly in Economy class. Passengers with heavy laptop bags combined with rolling carry-ons are being asked to weigh and redistribute.

Cathay Pacific: ordinary Economy and Premium Economy have one main bag plus small item sharing 7 kg. No dated change in inspection frequency is established here.

AirAsia: the base cabin allowance includes a 56×36×23 cm main bag and 40×30×10 cm small bag, sharing 7 kg. Check your operating company and purchased extra-weight option; no universal new airport weighing procedure is established here.

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.

What this means: If you're flying to or through Asia, take the 7–10 kg weight limit seriously. The "it never gets checked" assumption is increasingly incorrect at these carriers.

4. European Budget Carrier Enforcement: No Signs of Relaxing

Compare current published entitlements rather than assuming that every carrier kept an unchanged policy throughout 2026. Pegasus international/North Cyprus Light includes only one 40×30×15 cm underseat bag up to 3 kg. Saver, Saver Plus, Comfort Flex or a purchased cabin option add one 55×40×23 cm bag up to 8 kg. A standalone domestic Türkiye flight includes one 8 kg cabin bag without an additional small bag; a connected international itinerary keeps its international allowance on the domestic leg.

Ryanair: The included small bag is 40×30×20 cm. Priority includes an additional 55×40×20 cm main bag up to 10 kg. Check the current booking and applicable fees.

Wizz Air: The included small bag is 40×30×20 cm up to 10 kg. WIZZ Priority adds a 55×40×23 cm trolley bag up to 10 kg. Check the purchased entitlement.

easyJet: The included small bag is 45×36×20 cm. An entitled large bag is 56×45×25 cm. Each may weigh up to 15 kg and must be handled by the passenger; check the purchased large-bag entitlement.

5. IATA's Cabin OK Initiative: Still Not Universally Adopted

IATA's "Cabin OK" initiative recommends a standard carry-on size of 55 × 35 × 20 cm to be adopted across airlines. In 2026, this standard has still not been universally adopted.

Airlines that have aligned (approximately): Several LCCs that have joined the program.

Airlines that have not changed to IATA standard: All major US carriers, Ryanair, easyJet, Lufthansa, British Airways, and most legacy carriers maintain their own dimensions.

What this means for travelers: The Cabin OK sticker on a bag is not a guarantee it will be accepted everywhere. Always check the specific airline you're flying.

6. Duty-Free Liquids Rules After Security

A persistent confusion point: duty-free liquids purchased inside the security zone (airside) are generally permitted in larger quantities than the 100ml rule — because they're already past security.

However, if you're connecting through another airport and must re-clear security, those duty-free liquids may be confiscated at the connection point. Duty-free liquids in sealed tamper-evident bags with receipts showing purchase date and point of sale are accepted by some transit countries but not all.

2026 update: Several Middle Eastern and Asian transit points have clarified that duty-free liquids from non-connecting-country purchases may face additional screening. If you're transiting through Dubai, Singapore, or Tokyo with duty-free alcohol or perfume from a previous airport, be prepared to declare or check it.

7. Carry-On Rules for Laptops: No Changes, But Enforcement Varies

Laptops must be removed from bags at security in most US airports (TSA requirement) and most European airports. This requirement has not changed in 2026. However:

• Some EU airports with advanced CT scanners are testing non-removal protocols. Check your departure airport.
• PreCheck (US) and equivalent trusted traveler programs allow laptops to remain in bags.
• Dedicated laptop sleeves at the top of your carry-on continue to be the practical recommendation — accessible for removal, easy to re-stow.

8. Airline Updates: Notable Policy Clarifications

Air India: one 55×40×20 cm main bag up to 7 kg in Economy/Premium Economy or 10 kg in Business/First, plus a 40×30×20 cm personal item up to 3 kg. Do not assume looser enforcement or copy another carrier’s allowance.

Lufthansa Group: No size changes. Business Class carry-on allowance remains 2 pieces (8 kg each) on most routes. Enforcement of the 8 kg Economy limit continues to be moderate rather than aggressive.

American Airlines: No changes to carry-on policy. The "fits in overhead bin" practical standard continues, with no weight limit.

Southwest Airlines: One carry-on and one personal item remain free. Checked-bag fees now apply to Basic, Choice, and Choice Preferred fares unless an eligible benefit applies; Choice Extra and A-List Preferred include two standard checked bags free on eligible Southwest flights. Southwest also uses assigned seating. See Southwest's fare rules and carry-on policy.

9. Key Rules That Have NOT Changed

For clarity, here's what experienced carry-on travelers sometimes ask about that has NOT changed in 2026:

• No new restrictions on laptop sizes. Any laptop fits in carry-on.
• No new global liquids standard. The 100ml rule applies unless your specific airport has CT scanners.
• No IATA universal size mandate. Airlines are not required to adopt the 55 × 35 × 20 cm recommendation.
• No restrictions on solid toiletries. Solid shampoo bars, conditioner bars, and solid deodorants have no liquid restrictions.
• Portable batteries are still prohibited in checked baggage. This rule has not changed and shows no signs of changing.

10. What Frequent Flyers Should Do Now

Review your airline's current policy before each trip — even airlines you fly regularly. Small changes can be easy to miss.

Pre-purchase checked baggage on ULCCs if there's any chance you'll exceed personal-item-only limits. Gate fees have only gone up.

Take weight limits seriously on Asian and Middle Eastern carriers. The enforcement environment in 2026 is stricter than 2022–2023.

Check your departure airport's liquids rules rather than assuming the 100ml rule applies. CT scanner deployment is airport-specific, not country-wide.

Sign up for airline policy email notifications if you fly a particular carrier frequently. Policy changes are typically announced via the airline's travel advisory pages, not always proactively emailed.

The Bottom Line

2026's carry-on landscape is one of continued tightening by budget carriers, gradual liquids rule relaxation at technology-equipped airports, and stricter weight enforcement at Asian carriers post-pandemic. No sweeping universal changes have been made, but fee creep at US ULCCs and more consistent enforcement globally means the stakes of ignoring airline-specific rules are higher than ever. Know your carrier, pre-purchase when needed, and measure your bag.

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