How big of a backpack can you carry-on?

Most airlines allow backpacks as carry-ons, but size and weight restrictions vary depending on the carrier. Typically, the bag must be within the cabin baggage dimensions of around 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 22 cm), commonly considered the standard size for carry-on.



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Your backpack will generally be allowed as a carry-on if it's under 50 liters, or about 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Get a 45-liter backpack if you want to carry as much stuff as possible on the plane with you.

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The short answer: Yes, a backpack is generally considered a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you.

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While personal item size restrictions vary across airlines, most airlines consider a small backpack, purse, briefcase, or laptop bag to be a personal item. These must always fit under the seat in front of you. Many airlines restrict passengers to one personal item and one carry on bag.

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The short answer: Yes, a backpack is generally considered a personal item if it fits under the seat in front of you. Most airlines offer a few examples of things that fit into the “personal item” category, such as a purse, laptop bag, or a briefcase, but they don't usually include “backpack” on those lists.

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While this can be confusing, most popular airlines allow you to bring a carry-on and personal item, such as a backpack or purse. In general, your personal item should be smaller than your carry-on and under the specific airline's carry-on dimensions, allowing it to fit under the seat in front of you.

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You are permitted to bring a backpack in addition to your carry-on baggage provided that the backpack does not count as a personal item and that it satisfies the size and weight requirements for carry-on luggage.

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It is stated that one carry-on bag and one personal item are allowed per passenger. The dimensions of the under-seat compartment are 18 x 14 x 8 inches, which applies to all cabin and flight configuration.

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TSA Guidelines for Checkpoint Friendly Bags In a nutshell, the current requirements are as follows: Your laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that you can lay flat on the X-ray belt. There are no metal snaps, zippers, or buckles inside, underneath, or on top of the laptop-only section.

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The extra weight can distort the natural curve of the middle and lower back, causing muscle strain. Members of the UI Hospitals & Clinics Rehabilitation Services team recommend you carry no more than ten percent of your weight in a backpack.

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Airlines may sometimes ask you to buy a new seat in order to fit your big item. Then, the additional fee will be significant. Even worse, if your personal item is too large or heavy, it is possible that you have to leave it or be denied entry.

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While most backpacks, purses, and briefcases can pass as personal items, a large camping backpack probably won't fit under the airplane seat. Most airlines publish specific measurements for what counts as a personal item.

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While some airlines specify size limitations for personal items, others simply require the item to be small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you. For personal items, here's the standard size on major airlines in the United States: American Airlines – 18” x 14” x 8”

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Yes, it is possible to take two backpacks as a carry-on on a plane. The airline would count each backpack as a separate carry-on bag, so be sure to check with your airline regarding their specific baggage restriction policies. Will a backpack fit under an airplane seat? That depends on the size of the backpack.

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But, based on my own experience, 70L is too large for a carry-on item with most airlines. If you're looking for the optimal balance between the largest bag possible, and the most airlines it would be allowed on, I find that 35L (53x35x20-cm) is allowed on 155 of the 175 airlines I could find data for.

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  • Best Overall: Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack at Amazon. ...
  • Best Overall, Runner-Up: Osprey Fairview 40 at Amazon. ...
  • Best Budget: Vancropak 40L Travel Backpack at Amazon. ...
  • Best Value: Asenlin 40L Travel Backpack at Amazon. ...
  • Best for Business Travel: Nomatic Travel Bag at Amazon. ...
  • Best Multi-use: ...
  • Most Comfortable: ...
  • Best Splurge:


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If a bag or suitcase is not locked, TSA staff will simply open it and check its contents. If, on the other hand, it has been locked with locks and TSA staff consider it necessary to open it, the locking devices may have to be broken.

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If the dimensions of your backpack do not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), then it would fit underneath the seat.

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I've only expanded it to 45L for trips longer than a week or so. In either mode, it won't fit under the seat in front of you on a flight, but it will fit in the overhead compartment.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

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Weight Distribution
  1. Heaviest Stuff: Put your heaviest stuff as close to your body as possible and in the vertical middle of your pack. ...
  2. Medium-Weight Stuff: Medium-weight items go at the vertical top of your pack.
  3. Lightest Stuff: Lightweight stuff, usually clothes, go at the vertical bottom of your backpack.


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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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