Can You Fit A Normal Sized Backpack Under Airline Seat?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

The sizes of personal items allowed on your flight vary even more than the rules for the type of bag allowed. The rule of thumb is:

your personal item should fit under the seat in front of you

.

What size bag will fit under an American airline seat?

Your personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed

18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)

.

What size backpack fits under the seat of an airplane?

American Airlines states that underseat items should not exceed

18 x 14 x 8 inches

.

Can backpacks be a personal item?

The simple answer is

yes, a backpack can be a personal item

. The important thing to note about airline personal items is that just about any bag can be used as long as it fits under the airline’s personal item dimensions. This includes backpacks, diaper bags, purses and briefcases.

How big can a carry-on backpack be?

Carry-on bags shouldn’t be larger than

22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high including handles and wheels

. Dimensions of personal items should not exceed 18 inches long, 14 inches wide and 8 inches high. There are no weight restrictions for carry-on luggage.

Will a 40 liter backpack fit under an airplane seat?

Although the dimensions may vary, in general,

the space under an airplane seat can accommodate backpacks 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches high

.

Can I bring a backpack and a carry-on?


You can bring a carry-on suitcase that can be 22 x 14 x 9 inches and a backpack that can be 18 x 14 x 8 inches

. Your backpack should be stowed under the seat and your carry-on baggage can go in the overhead bin.

Is an underseat bag considered a personal item?

Similar to carry-on luggage,

an underseat personal item is subject to size and shape requirements

. However, unlike most of the things we fly with—nearly all of which are precisely designed for airplane use—almost any small bag (your favorite backpack or tote, for instance) can work as a personal item.

Is a backpack considered a carry-on American Airlines?

In addition to a carry-on bag,

American Airlines allows passengers to carry one personal item, such as a small backpack, laptop bag, camera bag, briefcase, or purse

. No matter what kind of personal item you choose, it must be able to fit securely underneath the seat in front of you.

What is not allowed on a plane carry-on?

Liquids, gels, or pastes in bottles larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) Guns and ammunition (including BB guns and cap guns) Stun guns and tasers. Sharp objects (knives, axes, razor blades)

What happens if my carry-on is too big?

Here’s what might happen if your carry on bag is one inch too big…

You might be forced to check your bag at the boarding gate and be made to pay a checked bag fee

. Most airlines now charge for checked bags with the exception of Southwest. Fees range between $25 and $35.

What size backpack is considered a personal item?

Backpacks

under 18 x 14 x 8 inches

are considered personal items. No official backpack as a personal item size limit. Needs to fit under the seat. Backpacks under 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches are considered personal items.

How strict are airlines about personal item size?

Airlines’ are

more strict with the size and weight of your personal item if they even publish rules

. Most importantly, your personal item must fit under the seat in front of you. You can, in general, bring one carry on and one personal item with you onto the plane.

Can I carry a backpack in basic economy?


A backpack is allowed when traveling on a United Airlines basic economy ticket

. The difficulty is finding a backpack that fits within the United Airlines personal item size dimensions. Most backpacks are wider than the United Airlines personal item size and small backpacks usually are not designed as travel bags.

What size backpack is best for Travelling?

As a rule of thumb,

25-30 liter backpacks are best for shorter weekend trips, while 30-45 liter backpacks are best for longer trips or long-term travel

.

Can a weekender bag be a personal item?

The short answer is yes.

A duffle bag can count as a personal item.

Can I bring 2 backpacks on a plane?

In general, you can bring two backpacks on a plane with you if one of them is considered as carry-on luggage and the other one is small enough to be considered as a carry-on personal item. Carry-on luggage should fulfill the size restrictions as specified by the airlines and should fit in the overhead bin.

Is 40L a carry-on?

Most airlines allow carry-on luggage that measures up to a maximum of 22 x 14 x 9 inches. In terms of volume,

backpacks that are 40-45 liters are good as a carry-on

. Anything bigger than that might require you to have it checked in instead.

Does a 30L backpack fit under an airplane seat?

I see

no way at all for the 30L to fit under the seat

. It does however fit very well into overhead compartments. The 20L (10 liters smaller than the 30L) might fit under a seat.

How much can you fit in a 40L backpack?

A weekend backpack like a standard 40L backpack is

big enough to carry a backpacking sleeping bag, small tent, and pad, as well as extra clothing and layers

. Other things you’ll need to carry include a small stove, food and basic cookware, plus a water filter/purifier, first aid kit, and navigation tools.

Can I use a backpack as checked luggage?

Can a Backpack Be Used as Checked Luggage?

Yes – backpacks can be used as checked luggage, provided that they comply with the rules of the airlines

.

Can I bring a backpack and a small suitcase?


Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item

like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Can I take 2 bags as hand luggage?

No cheating on cabin baggage rules,

only one bag per person on flight

: CISF. The CISF has asked the airlines to educate passengers to carry only one hang baggage. Multiple baggages per person delay the security check resulting in wastage of time.

What personal items are allowed on a plane?

  • Small tools. …
  • Nonflammable liquids, gels, and aerosols—including food, drinks, and toiletries—in quantities of 3.4 ounces or less. …
  • Matches and lighters. …
  • Batteries. …
  • Knitting needles. …
  • Gifts. …
  • Electronics. …
  • Medication and medical equipment.

Is a laptop backpack a personal item?

A small purse is always considered a personal item.

A briefcase or a laptop bag will be considered a personal item too

. A backpack is a personal item in most cases so long as it is a small backpack, a large hiking travel backpack won’t be considered a personal item.

Rebecca Patel
Author
Rebecca Patel
Rebecca is a beauty and style expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. She is a licensed esthetician and has worked with top brands in the beauty industry. Rebecca is passionate about helping people feel confident and beautiful in their own skin, and she uses her expertise to create informative and helpful content that educates readers on the latest trends and techniques in the beauty world.