Luggage small enough to be carried in the passenger compartment of a vehicle
Hand luggage compartments of an Airbus A340-600 aircraft (economy class), also referred to as "overhead bins"A portable scale used to check if hand luggage is within weight limits.
The term hand luggage or cabin baggage (normally called carry-on in North America) refers to the type of luggage that passengers are allowed to carry along in the passenger compartment of a vehicle instead of a separate cargo compartment. Passengers are allowed to carry a limited number of smaller bags with them in the vehicle, which typically contain valuables and items needed during the journey. There is normally storage space provided for hand luggage, either under seating, or in overhead lockers. Trains usually have luggage racks above the seats and may also (especially in the case of trains travelling longer distances) have luggage space between the backs of seats facing opposite directions, or in extra luggage racks, for example, at the ends of the carriage (train car in American English) near the doors.
Commercial air travel
Hand baggage allowance is a topic frequently discussed in the context of commercial air travel. On the one hand, passengers may want to have more of their possessions at hand during flight, skip the often time-consuming baggage claim process, and avoid the risk of having their checked baggagelost or damaged. On the other hand, safety concerns, takeoff weight limitations, and financial incentives (e.g. charging for checked bags) cause airlines to impose limits on how much and what passengers can take into the aircraft cabin. A large amount of hand luggage also slows the security screening of passengers, and can slow boarding as it takes longer to find space in cabin storage areas.
Studies have found that passengers often pause to retrieve cabin baggage during an emergency evacuation, despite instructions to the contrary in pre-flight safety briefings. This is not a new phenomenon, as it was observed during the evacuation of a Boeing 737 that caught fire in 1984. At least one passenger re-entered a Boeing 777 that crashed in 2008 to retrieve personal belongings. Video of the evacuation of a Sukhoi Superjet that caught fire on landing in 2019 clearly shows passengers on the emergency slides with large suitcases, raising questions as to whether this contributed to the loss of life. Remote locking of overhead baggage bins is being considered as a solution to the issue.[1]
Allowances
A luggage gauge, used to ensure carry-ons are within Aer Lingus's size limits.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets guidelines for cabin baggage/hand luggage/carry-on luggage size.[2] As of 2022, the IATA recommends a maximum size of 56 cm × 45 cm × 25 cm (22 in × 18 in × 10 in), including protuberances like wheels, handles, and pockets.[3]
The IATA guidelines are voluntary; the actual size and weight limits of cabin baggage imposed by airlines differ widely. In some cases they are dependent on the aircraft model being used, in other cases it depends on the booking class.
Dimensions
Vol.
Linear equiv. †
Airlines and notes
40 cm × 25 cm × 20 cm
20 L
85 cm
Ryanair has introduced a smaller carry on size, valid for all new bookings and all flights from 2018-11-01 onwards. It is possible to take also the previous bigger size carry on by booking Priority Boarding.[4]
Air France (weight allowance depends on route and class),[32]Malaysia Airlines; (one bag up to 7 kg plus one personal item).[33] From April 2019, all Brazilian airlines adopt this standard, verifying luggage size before the security checkpoint and weight is limited to 10 kg by ANAC (Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency) regulations.
Aer Lingus (one bag max. 10 kg plus one personal item not exceeding 33 cm × 25 cm × 20 cm)[39]
55 cm × 40 cm × 25 cm
55 L
120 cm
All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines on aircraft with at least 100 seats on domestic flights,[9] for all aircraft on international flights, Transavia (45 × 40 × 25 cm guaranteed to be allowed on board while 55 × 40 × 25 cm may be transported in hold, free of charge.[40]
IATA guideline size. British Airways (one bag plus one bag up to 40 cm × 30 cm × 15 cm, up to 23 kg each);[41]EasyJet (one bag, no special weight limit, not guaranteed to travel in cabin);[42]Finnair (one bag, max. 8 kg plus one personal item)[43]Aegean Airlines (one bag up to 8 kg);[44]
Business class, first class passengers and holders of high level mileage club members are often allowed to carry on a second bag of a similar or smaller size and weight.[46]
On smaller sized aircraft, sometimes the hand baggage can be carried to the aircraft door, where it is collected by baggage handlers for stowing in the cargo area and returned to the passenger right after landing.[citation needed]
Security restrictions
Following the increase in restrictions imposed on flights from UK airports and to the US after the events of August 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot, hand baggage on such flights was restricted to one cabin bag no bigger than 45 cm × 35 cm × 16 cm (17¾" x 13¾" x 6¼") effective since 15 August 2006.[47] On 21 September 2006, the British Airports Authority advised that from the following day, the allowable size of the single item of hand baggage on outgoing flights from the UK would be increased to 56 cm × 45 cm × 25 cm (approx. 22 in × 17.75 in × 9.85 in),[48] the IATA guideline size. Most UK airports still have a strict limit of one piece of cabin baggage per passenger, including business class.[citation needed]
European Union
Vending machine for carry-on luggage plastic bags at Munich Airport
A common regulation for cabin baggage restrictions was introduced on 6 November 2006 in European Union and in Switzerland, Norway and Iceland.
Restrictions on liquids:
only liquids with max 100 ml (3½ fl. oz.) per piece
all pieces assembled in a single zippable plastic bag of max 1000ml (1 quart)
the plastic resealable bag must not exceed 20 cm by 20 cm (8" x 8")
maximum of 1 plastic bag per passenger
liquids include gels and lotions (shampoo, tooth paste), lip sticks, moist paper tissue, contact lens solution
Exceptions:
prescribed medicine of any size, non-prescribed medicine-only items
sharp objects, even small ones, including dart arrows and razor blades
The recommendation allows for light knives and scissors with blades up to 6 cm (2") but some countries do not accept these either (e.g. nail care items)[citation needed]
blunt objects, clubs and all larger sticks, including sports utilities (e.g. skateboard)
inflammable objects, including ethanol, alcoholic beverage above 70%, some match sticks
toxic chemicals, including pepper spray, liquid batteries, blood samples[49]
United States
The United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has introduced a series of restrictions effective since 26 September 2006 under the name "3:1:1" for liquids.[50]
Restrictions on liquids:
3.4 ounce or smaller of containers for liquids and gels (100 ml)
1 quart-size clear plastic zip-top bag holding the liquid contents (approx. 950 ml)
1 bag per traveler shown openly in the security bin
the TSA guidelines explicitly accept the metricized portions of 100 ml / 1 liter as defined later in the European Union
the list of exceptions for liquids (baby milk, diabetes diet) is identical to EU guidelines.
The TSA has additional restrictions for security searches: for example, the baggage should not be locked (except with a special luggage locks that TSA staff can open), gifts should not be wrapped, and shoes may be required to be taken off during body search with the metal detector. Food items in the luggage may be mistaken for dangerous material triggering an intensive search.
^In 2015, the IATA made an effort to introduce a common smaller size for cabin luggage by introducing the "IATA Cabin OK" logo. Major airlines have expressed their interest to accept luggage of that size on their flights. This is specified as 55 × 35 × 20 cm (or 21.5 × 13.5 × 7.5 inches).[12]The Washington Post reported that the move was backed by eight "major" airlines.[13] The new size restrictions were criticised widely[14][15] with the introduction program to be put on hold a few days later.[16][17] As of April 2016, none of these airlines has introduced the new format.
^"How much hand luggage can I take with me? | Transavia". www.transavia.com. Retrieved 15 August 2023. One piece of hand luggage (max 55 x 35 x 25 cm), such as a backpack or a trolley. [...] One accessory (max 40 x 30 x 20 cm), such as a small handbag or a laptop bag. Your accessory is always allowed in the cabin and you place it under the seat in front of you.
^VOLOTEA (7 September 2020). "VOLOTEA - Vuelos baratos, ofertas y billetes de avión a Europa". Volotea. Retrieved 15 August 2023. What kind of carry-on baggage can I bring on board of the plane? From June 8, 2022, all our customers can take a small bag on board, free of charge (max. 40x30x20 cm), that must be fit under the seat in front of you
^"Air Transport Conditions - Vueling - Hand luggage". Hand luggage: All of our fares include the carriage of one item of hand luggage (max. 40x20x30 cm), which must fit under the seat in front of you, without being an obstacle
^"easyJet.com – Cabin bags explained". Everyone can bring one small cabin bag per person on board for free. It can be a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20 cm (including any handles and wheels) and needs to be kept under the seat in front of you. That should be enough to bring all the essentials for your journey or for a short trip. Your bag can weigh up to 15kg, but we do ask that you're able to lift and carry it yourself.
^"FAQ / luggage". Aurigny Airlines. Retrieved 10 September 2013.