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.

Whether you can bring a carry-on in addition to your backpack depends on the airline's specific fare class and the 2026 baggage regulations, which have become increasingly strict. If you have booked a "Basic Economy" or "Backpack Only" ticket, you are typically limited to one personal item (like a small backpack) that must fit completely under the seat in front of you. In this case, a standard "rolling" carry-on bag is not allowed and will usually result in a heavy "gate check" fee of $50 to $100 if you try to bring it to the plane. However, if your "carry-on" is your backpack (meaning you are only carrying one bag total), it must still meet the airline's size and weight dimensions (usually 7–10kg). In some regions, like India, new 2026 "one-bag" rules strictly enforce that everything—including handbags and laptop bags—must fit inside that single piece of luggage. To avoid surprises, always check your "Fare Conditions" before heading to the airport; if your ticket says "1 Personal Item Only," a traditional overhead-bin carry-on is strictly forbidden unless you pay to upgrade your baggage allowance in advance.