Most international flights allow you to board with one personal item and one piece of carry-on. There are exceptions, most notably Bolivia's Amaxonas, which only permits carry-on luggage and does not allow personal items.

For most international flights in 2026, the standard allowance is one main carry-on bag and one smaller personal item, such as a laptop bag, purse, or small backpack. The main bag must typically fit in the overhead bin and adhere to dimensions around 56 x 36 x 23 cm, while the personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. However, this varies significantly by airline and cabin class. Business and First Class passengers often enjoy a more generous allowance of two main bags. Conversely, "Basic Economy" or ultra-low-cost carriers (like Ryanair or Spirit) may only allow a single personal item for free, charging extra for anything intended for the overhead bin. Weight limits also apply, ranging from a strict 7 kg on many Asian and Australian carriers to "no weight limit" (as long as you can lift it) on many US-based airlines. It is also important to note that duty-free purchases made at the airport usually do not count toward this limit, though some budget airlines are increasingly strict. Always check your specific "Manage Booking" page, as exceeding these limits at the gate can result in "gate-check" fees that are significantly higher than pre-paid checked bag rates.