How strict are airlines about oversized bags?

Summing Up: Traveling With Oversized Carry-Ons
If your carry-on is 1-2 inches over the size limit, don't stress about it too much. Most likely, you'll be allowed to pass through without anyone saying anything. But be prepared that if you encounter a strict airline employee, you might have to check it in.



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In general, if you're bag is not within the size restrictions at the check-in counter, different airlines will charge you a late check-in fee.

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Most airlines require that your bag be 62 linear inches or less. Therefore, your bag's length, width and height cannot exceed 62 inches. This measurement includes the wheels and the handle of your luggage. To measure your bag, you'll want to grab a tape measure.

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For example, if your bag is 24 inches tall, 20 inches long and 18 inches wide, its total linear length is 62 inches.

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Oversized baggage fees
Any bag with a sum of length, width, and height of greater than 62 inches will generally fall into the oversized category. Oversized baggage fees are usually charged in addition to any standard, excess, or overweight fee.

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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.

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In general, standard domestic carry-on luggage size is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. If you're flying internationally, that may vary a little to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches. Remember, those dimensions include the handle, wheels and anything else that may protrude from your suitcase so don't miss them from your measurements.

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The most common maximum size bag allowed is 62 linear (total) inches. A common size bag for checking through is: 27 x 21 x 14. Airline carriers will allow overweight, oversize or additional baggage for additional fees.

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Oversized Carry-Ons Need to Be Checked-in
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.

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While you typically do not need to inform the airline beforehand of an oversized bag (except if you are carrying an odd-sized item), you will need to arrive at the check-in counter earlier. Some airlines will place a special tag on the bag to alert baggage handlers of its oversized or overweight nature.

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A medium checked suitcase (25-27 inches) is more than enough for most people. Usually, medium checked suitcases are 58-61 linear inches in size, which is just below the 62 linear inch size limit, so when you're looking for a checked suitcase, get one in this size.

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Checked bags come in all shapes and sizes and the chances a check in agent will get out a tape measure, measure each dimension and add them up are slim to non-existent. And a 64 linear inch checked bag would be indistinguishable from the regulation 62. That's as long as it is 64, and not 67 or 70.

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Linear inches is a measurement used by airlines to figure out the size of checked luggage. It's calculated by adding together the outside length, width, and height of a suitcase or bag. For example, if your bag measures 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 20 inches high, its linear inches would be 62 (24+18+20=62).

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