Carry-on size limits by airline
The overhead-bin limits for 17 major airlines in one table, with what each one means for a soft duffle. Reviewed October 2026.
The short answer: most U.S. airlines allow a carry-on of 22 × 14 × 9 inches (about 56 × 36 × 23 cm). Southwest and Frontier allow a little more. European airlines are usually stricter on depth and often set a weight limit, which matters with leather because the bag itself can weigh 2 kg empty.
The last column turns each limit into a duffle size you can shop for. A soft bag never fills the sizer box exactly, so we use about 85% of the box's volume. Not sure what you need? Try our duffle size calculator.
US & Canada
| Airline | Inches | Centimeters | Weight | Duffle that fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska AirlinesNo published weight limit. | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | None listed | up to about 35 L |
| American AirlinesNo published weight limit. | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | None listed | up to about 35 L |
| Delta Air LinesNo published weight limit on most routes. | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 35 × 23 | None listed | up to about 35 L |
| JetBlueBlue Basic fares may not include a carry-on. | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 36 × 23 | None listed | up to about 35 L |
| United AirlinesBasic Economy includes a personal item only on most routes. | 22 × 14 × 9 | 56 × 35 × 22 | None listed | up to about 35 L |
| Southwest Airlines | 24 × 16 × 10 | 61 × 41 × 25 | None listed | up to about 50 L |
| Frontier AirlinesCarry-on is a paid extra on basic fares. | 24 × 16 × 10 | 61 × 41 × 25 | 16 kg | up to about 50 L |
| Spirit AirlinesCarry-on is a paid extra on basic fares. | 22 × 18 × 10 | 56 × 46 × 25 | None listed | up to about 50 L |
| Air CanadaBasic fares may not include a carry-on. | 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 | 55 × 40 × 23 | None listed | up to about 40 L |
Europe
| Airline | Inches | Centimeters | Weight | Duffle that fits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 22 × 18 × 10 | 56 × 45 × 25 | 23 kg | up to about 50 L |
| LufthansaEconomy. Higher cabins allow more. | 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 | 55 × 40 × 23 | 8 kg | up to about 40 L |
| Air FranceWeight is the total for the cabin bag plus personal item. | 21.5 × 13.5 × 10 | 55 × 35 × 25 | 12 kg | up to about 40 L |
| KLMWeight is the total for the cabin bag plus personal item. | 21.5 × 13.5 × 10 | 55 × 35 × 25 | 12 kg | up to about 40 L |
| easyJet (large cabin bag)Paid add-on. The free bag is 45 × 36 × 20 cm and must fit under the seat. | 22 × 18 × 10 | 56 × 45 × 25 | 15 kg | up to about 50 L |
| Ryanair (10 kg cabin bag)Paid add-on. The free bag is 40 × 30 × 20 cm and must fit under the seat. | 21.5 × 15.5 × 8 | 55 × 40 × 20 | 10 kg | up to about 35 L |
Middle East & Asia Pacific
Limits are for a standard economy fare and include wheels, handles and pockets. Airlines change these rules often, and basic or "light" fares may not include a carry-on at all. Each airline name links to its own baggage page, so check it before you fly.
What this means for a leather duffle
Depth is what gets a duffle pulled aside. A soft bag can squash to fit the length and width of a sizer, but an overstuffed duffle bulges in the middle. Pack the heavy, flat things along the bottom, and leave the ends a little slack.
Weight catches people out on European and Gulf airlines. Lufthansa's 8 kg and Emirates' 7 kg limits leave room for only about 5 to 6 kg of clothes in a leather bag. If you fly those airlines often, a lighter leather or a leather-trimmed canvas duffle may suit you better. Our leather vs canvas guide compares the two.
A duffle of about 35 liters fits almost everywhere. That size passes every airline in this chart, including the paid cabin bags on budget airlines, and it's big enough for a long weekend if you pack well. For a full walk-through, read how to choose a carry-on leather duffle.