Wheels down and facing out – unless it's a Space Bin. In this case, point the wheels toward the back of the bin and then flip your bag up on its side. You'll want the heaviest part of the bag to be farthest from the aisle, and belongings tend to settle downward as luggage is wheeled through the airport.

On most modern aircraft, particularly those equipped with newer "Space Bins" or "Pivot Bins," the standard rule is to load suitcases "wheels-first" (wheels in). This is because the back of the overhead bin is often deeper or shaped to accommodate the wheels and handle assembly, allowing the bin door to close properly without obstruction. Loading wheels-first also ensures that the handle is facing the aisle, making it much faster and easier for you to grab your bag when deplaning. However, there is a notable exception: on some older, smaller regional jets (like the Embraer 145 or older CRJs), the bins are so shallow that bags must be placed sideways. Airlines like United, American, and Delta have been retrofitting their fleets with bins that specifically instruct passengers via a small sticker to place bags on their sides, wheels-in. Following this "wheels-in" protocol is one of the most effective ways to help flight attendants fit more bags into the cabin and prevent the dreaded "gate-checking" of luggage on full flights.