Side-by-Side Comparison
Luggage & Travel
Carry-On Luggage vs. Personal Item & Duffel
Comparing 2 standards across 16 specifications. 16 key differences identified.
Comparing:
Carry-On Luggage
Personal Item & Duffel
Standard airline carry-on dimensions are capped at 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm) or 45 linear inches on major US domestic carriers, and 55 × 40 × 20 cm on international European carriers, inclusive of wheels and handles.
Airline personal items must fit underneath the seat in front, standardized to 18 × 14 × 8 inches (45 × 35 × 20 cm) in the US and 40 × 20 × 25 cm on European ultra-low-cost carriers, corresponding to 20–25 liter daypacks and 40–50 liter weekender duffels.
Specification Comparison Table
16 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Governing Guidelines
|
FAA AC 121-29B / IATA Cabin Baggage Standard | — |
|
US Domestic Standard (Delta, United, AA)
|
22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm) | 45 linear inches max | — |
|
Southwest Airlines
|
24 × 16 × 10 inches (61 × 41 × 25 cm) | 50 linear inches max | — |
|
International Standard (IATA Benchmark)
|
55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.5 × 13.5 × 7.8 in) | — |
|
European Carriers (Lufthansa, Air France, BA)
|
55 × 40 × 20 to 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.8–9.0 in) | — |
|
European Low-Cost (Ryanair, EasyJet Overhead)
|
55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.8 in) | 10 kg (22 lb) max | — |
|
Typical Carry-On Internal Volume
|
35 to 45 Liters (2,135 to 2,746 cu in) | — |
|
Inclusion Rule
|
All measurements MUST include exterior wheels, top/side handles, and exterior pockets | — |
|
Governing Dimension
|
— | Underseat stowage envelope (L × W × H) |
|
US Major Airline Personal Item (Delta, United, AA)
|
— | 18 × 14 × 8 inches (45 × 35 × 20 cm) | ~20–25 L |
|
Ryanair Underseat Bag (Free Tier)
|
— | 40 × 20 × 25 cm (15.7 × 7.8 × 9.8 in) | 20 L |
|
EasyJet Underseat Bag (Free Tier)
|
— | 45 × 36 × 20 cm (17.7 × 14.2 × 7.8 in) | 30 L |
|
Small Daypack Volume
|
— | 15 to 22 Liters | Fits under all commercial airline seats |
|
Weekender Duffel (Carry-On Max)
|
— | 40 to 50 Liters (20–22 × 11–12 × 10–11 in) |
|
Expedition Duffel (Checked Only)
|
— | 70 to 120 Liters (26–32 × 15–18 × 14–16 in) |
|
Underseat Usable Height Clearance
|
— | 8.0 to 9.5 inches (reduced on aisle seats due to entertainment electronics) |