Do I have to pay for carry-on luggage?


Do I have to pay for carry-on luggage? Many airlines will allow you to bring a carry-on bag and personal item for free. However, some airlines may only allow a personal item that fits under your seat for free. Anything larger (e.g. a bag that's too big to fit under the seat but can fit into the overhead compartment) may require extra payment.


When did United start charging for carry-on bags?

United's new Basic Economy fares will charge for carry-on bags. PUBLISHED: November 16, 2016 at 10:07 a.m. | UPDATED: April 8, 2018 at 2:24 p.m. The skies aren't so friendly if you're on a budget. United announced Tuesday that it's charging its lowest-fare passengers to use the overhead bins.


Can I bring a purse and a personal item and a carry-on?

What are Personal Items? In most cases, an airline will allow you to bring one carry-on baggage and one personal item. A personal item is normally something like a purse, laptop, backpack or camera case. Personal items should always be small enough to fit underneath the seat in front of you.


When did airlines start charging for luggage?

Not coincidentally, American was the first major carrier to start charging for a checked bag, back in 2008, when airlines were trying to come up with new revenue sources to counter high jet fuel prices and other effects of the Great Recession. And once a fee is assessed, it is almost never rescinded.


Can I just bring a carry-on?

Generally speaking, most airlines implement a maximum size policy of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches, including wheels and handles. Your baggage allowance could also depend on your ticket type. Some basic economy tickets only allow for a personal item, such as a purse, rather than a piece of carry-on luggage.


Why are airlines charging for carry-on?

Charging for carry-on bags helps lower ticket prices by reducing the aircraft's load and saving fuel. Many airlines, including Spirit and Frontier, charge high fees for carry-on bags at the gate, increasing the cost of flying on these carriers.


How strict are carry-on size limits?

What size should your carry-on luggage be? On domestic flights within the United States, a carry-on bag that's smaller than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (45 linear inches), including handles and wheels will meet the size restrictions of all major airlines, such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.


What is the size limit for hand carry bag?

Including handles and wheels, the maximum dimensions for a carry-on are 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high. Personal items are limited to 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 9 inches high.


Does a duffel bag count as a personal item?

The main theme of the airlines' rules is that a personal item is a small bag, like a duffle bag, daypack, purse, tote, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of you. A small duffle bag fits in the spirit of this rule.


What are the rules for carry-on bags?

Carry-on bags are limited to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including wheels and handles. All three measurements shouldn't add up to more than 45 inches.


How do you pack a carry-on bag to avoid checking a bag?

If You're Checking a Bag, You're Traveling Wrong—Here's the Right Way to Pack a Carry-on Bag
  1. Get the Right Suitcase. ...
  2. Create a Capsule Wardrobe. ...
  3. Purchase Packing Cubes. ...
  4. Wear Your Bulkiest Pieces en Route. ...
  5. Streamline the Shoes. ...
  6. Minimize on Toiletries.


Can I bring 2 personal items instead of a carry-on?

In general, travelers are permitted to bring into the plane one personal item and one carry-on bag with them on most flights. The personal item is often a small bag, such as a handbag or laptop bag, that is able to be stowed away beneath the seat that is directly in front of you.


Can you take a backpack on a plane for free?

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.


Does toothpaste count as a liquid?

Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.


Is a backpack a carry-on?

A carry on bag is your larger, primary bag, which you'll stow in the overhead bin. A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you.


What is the difference between a carry-on and a personal item?

Most airlines let you bring a carry-on bag and a personal item. In most cases, your handbag, briefcase, or small backpack must fit beneath the seat in front of you and within the airline's size restrictions. In contrast, a carry-on bag is typically larger and is stored in the overhead compartment.