Can a briefcase be a personal item?

A personal item is a type of hand luggage that you carry on to the plane with you and is smaller than a carry-on. What is considered a personal item bag varies from airline to airline, but a small purse, briefcase and laptop bag are always considered personal items.



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Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

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A personal item is any type of luggage that fits underneath the plane seat in front of you. Most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be 18” x 14” x 8” or smaller in size. Personal items can include a purse, briefcase, small backpack, laptop bag, weekender or small duffel bag.

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Sharp objects (scissors (except for nail scissors), knives, straight razors, and safety razor blades, etc.) Sporting equipment. Self-defense items like pepper spray or brass knuckles. Tools of any kind.

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A personal item is any type of luggage that fits underneath the plane seat in front of you. Most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be 18” x 14” x 8” or smaller in size. Personal items can include a purse, briefcase, small backpack, laptop bag, weekender or small duffel bag.

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The most common personal item size limit is 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 36 x 20 cm). If your backpacks or handbags don't exceed this number, you're good. Weight limitations for personal belongings are also regulated by several airlines ranging from 10 to 25 pounds (around 4.5 to 11 kg).

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What is considered a personal item bag varies from airline to airline, but a small purse, briefcase and laptop bag are always considered personal items. Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too. The key to remember is it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you.

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A personal item is any type of luggage that fits underneath the plane seat in front of you. Most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be 18” x 14” x 8” or smaller in size. Personal items can include a purse, briefcase, small backpack, laptop bag, weekender or small duffel bag.

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Airline rules allow for one carry on bag and one personal item, unless you're flying on a basic economy fare. But we've all seen people selfishly putting two bags in the overhead bin or carrying on more luggage than could possibly be allowed. You don't want to be like them. But you also might not be a one bagger.

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THINGS YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY LEAVE HOME INCLUDE:
  • Sharp objects (scissors (except for nail scissors), knives, straight razors, and safety razor blades, etc.)
  • Sporting equipment.
  • Self-defense items like pepper spray or brass knuckles.
  • Tools of any kind.
  • Flammable and explosive items.


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Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too. The key to remember is it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. A carry-on is a type of hand luggage that you bring into the plane cabin with you and is larger than a personal item.

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A briefcase is a narrow hard-sided box-shaped bag or case used mainly for carrying papers and equipped with a handle. Lawyers commonly use briefcases to carry briefs to present to a court, hence the name.

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What size luggage is a carry-on? Many domestic airlines require that carry-on luggage is no larger than 22 x 14 x 9 inches. For international carriers, it's often 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches.

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Weighing. If you have both checked and carry on luggage, usually both are going to be weighed at the check-in/luggage drop. If you only have a carry on and check-in online you have small chances to have your luggage weighed, however it might not be true if you apparently struggle with it.

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A personal item is any bag that fits under the airplane seat in front of you, though the precise dimensions of these bags vary by carrier. You can use pretty much any bag ranging from duffels and weekenders to backpacks and sling bags, but for the most part, they should be under 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

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However, every airline has different restrictions for size. In most cases, your backpack should be no more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches. You should confirm with the airline to avoid penalty fees if your personal item is too large.

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This differs from airline to airline, but as a standard rule, pillows are allowed on a plane as a personal item if they are reasonably sized. This means the pillow can be stashed under the seat or in front of you.

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If your carry-on is too big, you will either have to pay penalty fees or check your luggage. Checking your luggage means that your carry-on won't be traveling with you but will instead be sent to the airplane cargo, and you will be able to claim it once the plane lands.

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If your carry-on is 1-2 inches over the size limit, don't stress about it too much. Most likely, you'll be allowed to pass through without anyone saying anything. But be prepared that if you encounter a strict airline employee, you might have to check it in.

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Many airlines do not actually put a size limit on your personal item, only that it must fit underneath the seat in front of you. In fact, even the airlines that do have size limits say the same thing, your personal item always has to fit under the seat in front of you.

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