Airlines have gotten increasingly strict with carry-on bags in recent years. With fuller flights and limited overhead bin space, flight attendants are cracking down on passengers trying to sneak oversized bags on board.
Summary
Airlines now have sizing devices at the gate to check carry-on bags. Bags exceeding the size limits may be gate checked for free or you may be charged a fee. Enforcement varies by airline and airport but in general attendants are looking closely at bag sizes.
What are the standard carry-on size restrictions?
Most US airlines follow these maximum carry-on sizes:
- 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (56 x 36 x 23 cm) for larger bags
- 18″ x 14″ x 8″ (46 x 36 x 20 cm) for smaller bags like backpacks and laptop bags
International airlines like Air Canada and British Airways have slightly smaller size limits. Always check your airline’s website for exact dimensions before packing.
Do attendants actually measure bags at the gate?
In the past attendants would do a quick visual check of carry-ons but not actually measure them. These days many airlines have sizing boxes at the gate and attendants are told to use them frequently.
If your bag looks questionably large you should expect the attendant to ask to measure it. Some airlines like Spirit have a dedicated gate-check agent whose entire job is measuring bags.
What happens if your bag is too big?
If your carry-on exceeds the size limits you’ll be asked to gate check it. This means you leave it plane-side as you board and collect it at baggage claim at your destination.
Most airlines will gate check oversized bags for free but some like Allegiant Air charge a fee around $50-100 per bag. Make sure to check your airline’s policy.
You may also be given the option to pay an oversized baggage fee at the gate, similar to checking a bag. This lets you keep the bag with you in the cabin.
Are attendants more strict at certain airlines?
Enforcement varies by airline based on their baggage policies and how strictly managers tell gate agents to check sizes.
In my experience these airlines tend to be the strictest with carry-on sizes:
- Spirit Airlines
- Frontier Airlines
- Ryanair (in Europe)
- EasyJet (in Europe)
Meanwhile these airlines seem a little more relaxed if your bag is just slightly over the limit:
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta
- American Airlines
- United
But even for these airlines I’ve seen attendants bust out the sizing boxes for suspect bags. I wouldn’t push your luck with an oversized carry-on.
Are some airports more strict than others?
Enforcement also varies by airport. With so many passengers passing through, attendants at busy hubs like Chicago O’Hare and London Heathrow are much stricter.
I’ve also noticed tighter enforcement at these airports:
- New York LaGuardia
- Washington Reagan
- Paris CDG
- Amsterdam Schiphol
Smaller regional airports tend to be more lax. But I wouldn’t bank on sneaking an oversized bag through any major airport.
Tips for avoiding carry-on issues
To minimize hassles from carry-on enforcement, follow these tips:
- Know your airline’s size restrictions and pack accordingly
- Use a measuring tape to confirm your bag fits within limits
- Avoid overstuffing your bag so it doesn’t look strained
- Be prepared to remove some items if asked by an attendant
- Have payment ready if you must pay a gate fee for an oversized bag
- Consider checking your bag to avoid problems
What if other passengers have oversized bags?
You may notice other passengers boarding with large carry-ons that look bigger than permitted. Attendants can’t measure every single bag so some do slip through.
But just because another passenger has a huge bag doesn’t mean yours will make it on. Only pack within your airline’s stated size limits.
What about personal items?
Most airlines allow you to carry on a personal item in addition to a carry-on bag. Personal items like purses, laptop bags, and briefcases must fit under the seat.
Passengers are expected to store these items under the seat in front of them, not in overhead bins. Strictly speaking attendants can ask you to measure these against the airline’s stated limits for personal items.
In reality they rarely check personal item sizes unless the bag is clearly oversized. But again it’s wise to follow stated limits as close as possible.
What are typical carry-on size limits on international flights?
Here are the typical carry-on size restrictions for some major international airlines:
| Airline | Maximum Carry-On Size |
|---|---|
| Air France | 21.7″ x 13.8″ x 9.8″ (55 x 35 x 25 cm) |
| British Airways | 22″ x 18″ x 10″ (56 x 45 x 25 cm) |
| KLM (Dutch) | 21.7″ x 13.8″ x 9″ (55 x 35 x 23 cm) |
| Lufthansa (German) | 21.7″ x 15.7″ x 9″ (55 x 40 x 23 cm) |
| Qantas (Australian) | 21.7″ x 15.7″ x 7.9″ (55 x 40 x 20 cm) |
| Emirates (Dubai) | 21.7″ x 15.7″ x 7.9″ (55 x 40 x 20 cm) |
Many non-US airlines have smaller size limits, so check ahead of time. And expect strict enforcement of carry-on sizes on international flights.
What are the tricks travelers use to avoid carry-on restrictions?
Savvy travelers have come up with sneaky tricks to avoid carry-on restrictions:
- Wearing bulky clothing like ski jackets to hide oversized bags
- Stepping in line behind families who tend to get waved through
- Acting confused if questioned and pretending not to speak English
- Checking in late when attendants are rushed and less likely to check
- Gate checking an allowed bag but bringing two personal items
- Popping out telescoping handles before getting in line
- Pushing down on bloated bags to squeeze them into sizers
Keep in mind these tricks are dishonest and may backfire if you get caught. Your best bet is sticking to the rules and only packing permitted carry-on bags.
What are other prohibited carry-on items besides oversized bags?
Aside from oversized bags, airlines prohibit carrying these items onboard:
- Sharp objects like knives, box cutters, swords
- Sporting goods like baseball bats, golf clubs, hockey sticks
- Flammable liquids like paint, lighter fluid
- Large electronics like televisions and mini-fridges
- Illegal drugs or excessive alcohol
Weapons, flares, and explosive devices are also obvious no-nos. Unusual items may be flagged at security screening.
Many banned items can be checked in luggage but be aware of TSA restrictions on what’s allowed in checked bags too.
Conclusion
To summarize, attendants are pretty strict these days about maximum permitted carry-on sizes. With crowded overhead bins, you should expect your bag to be measured if it looks questionable.
Avoid hassles by knowing your airline’s size rules and packing a compliant bag. Trying to flout the rules may get you hit with gate check fees or even banned from boarding. Better to travel light and breeze through the airport stress-free.
Safe travels!
