If you plan on regular international travel and want to do carry-on then you should get a smaller international-sized bag. And if you are planning to regularly fly internationally on a discount airline then you may want a smaller and lighter carry-on.
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As a general rule, packing your carry-on bag to 16 pounds will be safe while traveling in Europe. A good quality luggage scale (like this one) will help you stay under your weight limit. What is this? Use the lightest bag you can find for your carry-on.
Europe. European airlines tend to be stricter than US airlines, especially about luggage weight and personal items (which are sometimes not allowed). Avoid getting your bag weighed if possible (see the tips above). Air France: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 inches), 12 kg (26 lb).
Dimensions of 62 linear inches are the standard for international luggage size restrictions, similar to domestic flights' size limits. The 62 linear inch limit is not a hard and fast rule. You can travel with larger bags if you're willing to pay an oversize fee.
Unless your carry-on is extremely large, the airline employees at the gate most likely won't ask to measure it. If they'd ask each passenger to measure their carry-on, the boarding would take too long. This could cause delayed flights, which airlines don't want.
Europe. European airlines tend to be stricter than US airlines, especially about luggage weight and personal items (which are sometimes not allowed). Avoid getting your bag weighed if possible (see the tips above). Air France: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (22 x 14 x 10 inches), 12 kg (26 lb).
Crossbody purses are usually a top choice among readers for European travel, as they're comfortable and easy to carry, great for visiting museums, and are overall super convenient to use. If you like to carry only the essentials, like your phone, wallet, keys, and lip balm, opt for a fanny pack or a sling bag.
You can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item for free on most domestic and international flights. But there are a few rules you'll need to follow.
American Airlines (AA) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free. Carry-on should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions: 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels.
Crossbody bags are the best way to prevent pickpockets in Europe because they allow you to keep an eye on your valuables. While crossbodies are purses that are hard to pickpocket, make sure to keep them in front of you at all times when you're out and about.
In general, spaces are a lot smaller, the infrastructure isn't very suitcase friendly and if you're backpacking, you'll probably be flying with a lot of low-cost airlines or taking the train or a bus. All this is what makes travel backpacks the ideal packing method for a European vacation.
If your carry-on is oversized (and doesn't physically fit inside the overhead compartments) or you encounter a strict airline employee, they will ask you to check it in at the gate.
Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches.
As airlines try to squeeze more passengers on their flights – and as more passengers try to fit their belongings into a single carry-on to avoid baggage fees – space is getting tighter.
What size should your carry-on luggage be? On domestic flights within the United States, a carry-on bag that's smaller than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (45 linear inches), including handles and wheels will meet the size restrictions of all major airlines, such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you. Read Carry Ons vs. Personal Items for more on the differences between the two.