Airline baggage allowance can change with the fare, even when the airline and route stay the same. This comparison shows the personal item, overhead bag, weight rule and paid cabin option for one named economy fare on each of 20 airlines.
We checked every policy on . Each row covers the stated fare, route and operating airline for one adult without status or credit card benefits. It isn't a list of every fare an airline sells, and a compliant bag may still be checked when the bins fill. Confirm the allowance in your booking before travel.
Compare carry-on allowance by fare
Use our airline carry-on size limits when you need a wider dimension comparison. If the two cabin bag categories are unclear, start with personal item vs carry-on.
20 fares shown.
Air Canada
Economy Basic North America
Within Canada; Economy Basic bought on/after 3 January 2025; Air Canada-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 33 x 43 x 16 cm (13 x 17 x 6 in) maximum, including wheels and handles
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 23 x 40 x 55 cm (9 x 15.5 x 21.5 in), including wheels and handles
- Weight and cabin option
No carry-on weight limit; bags must be light enough to stow without assistance.
Cabin option: Other bags must be checked before security; checked-bag fees may apply. No cabin-bag add-on is described.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: An onward international connection restores the standard carry-on allowance. Partner rules may differ. The general policy lists an extra small purse, but does not expressly extend it to personal-only Basic.
Policy checked .
Air France
Basic Europe
European Economy Basic, where offered; Air France-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 15 cm/16 x 12 x 6 in (source order)
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.9 in), including pockets, wheels and handles
- Weight and cabin option
12 kg maximum for the small bag and any added overhead bag together.
Cabin option: Buy the Hand Baggage option at booking or in My Bookings up to 4 hours before departure.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Flying Blue Gold and above can add a cabin bag through status benefits. Full flights may require free hold carriage. Partner-operated flights can differ; exit-row small bags use designated storage.
Policy checked .
Alaska Airlines
Saver North America
Domestic Saver; Alaska-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: One smaller personal item; no numeric box stated
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 22 x 14 x 9 in maximum, including wheels and handles
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric cabin weight limit stated in these policies.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one personal item already included.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Saver boards last in Group F; overhead space is first come, first served. Fare availability varies by route. Other operating airlines may have different rules.
Policy checked .
American Airlines
Basic Economy North America
U.S. domestic Basic Economy; American-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm) maximum
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 36 x 23 cm) maximum, including handles and wheels
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric cabin weight limit stated; bags must fit the sizer and cabin storage.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one personal item already included.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Basic Economy boards last; bin space may be full. American Eagle generally requires free valet checking above personal-item size; ERJ-175 is exempt. Soft garment bags have a 51-inch linear limit. Airports and aircraft can add restrictions.
Policy checked .
British Airways
Economy Basic (hand baggage only) Europe
European short-haul; British Airways, BA Cityflyer or BA Euroflyer; Economy Basic.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) (source order)
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) (source order, including wheels and handles)
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric cabin weight limit stated. Be able to lift the overhead bag unassisted; accessibility provisions apply.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one under-seat bag already included.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: The larger bag may go in the hold on busy flights. Keep essentials in the small under-seat bag. Other operating airlines may use different allowances.
Policy checked .
Delta Air Lines
Delta Main Basic (Basic Economy) North America
U.S. domestic Delta Main Basic; Delta-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: No numeric limit stated; must be similar in size to a purse or laptop bag and fit under the seat
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm) maximum and 45 linear in (114 cm) maximum
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric cabin weight limit stated in this policy.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one personal item already included.
easyJet
Standard fare Europe
European short-haul; easyJet-operated; Standard fare.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 45 x 36 x 20 cm maximum, including handles and wheels
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 56 x 45 x 25 cm maximum, including handles and wheels
- Weight and cabin option
The included small bag and an optional large cabin bag may each weigh up to 15 kg; the passenger must be able to lift and carry each bag.
Cabin option: Add one large cabin bag at booking or through Manage Bookings; some offered fares also include it.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Inclusive Plus and easyJet Plus benefits can include a large bag, subject to their conditions and space. An automatically allocated Up Front or Extra Legroom seat does not add a large bag.
Policy checked .
Frontier Airlines
Basic Fare / Standard ticket North America
Unbundled Basic Fare / Standard ticket; Frontier-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 18 x 14 x 8 in maximum, including handles, wheels and straps
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: A purchased carry-on may be up to 24 x 16 x 10 in, including handles, wheels and straps
- Weight and cabin option
Up to 35 lb for the personal item and up to 35 lb for a purchased carry-on, separately.
Cabin option: Buy a carry-on separately or choose Economy, Premium or Business bundle; price varies by trip and purchase timing.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Economy Fare and bag bundles are distinct from this base fare. A purchased carry-on alone does not guarantee bin space. Status benefits can add a carry-on.
Policy checked .
Iberia
Basic Europe
European short- or medium-haul; Iberia-operated; Basic.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 30 x 40 x 15 cm (source order)
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 56 x 40 x 25 cm (source order)
- Weight and cabin option
Up to 10 kg for the main cabin bag. No separate numeric weight stated for the personal item.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one personal item already included.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Air Nostrum collects the main bag at the aircraft door for free hold transport. Full flights may also require free hold carriage. Other operators, including Vueling and LEVEL, have different rules.
Policy checked .
JetBlue
Blue Basic North America
Blue Basic; JetBlue-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 17 x 13 x 8 in (43.2 x 33 x 20.32 cm) maximum
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 22 x 14 x 9 in (55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm) maximum, including wheels and handles
- Weight and cabin option
No carry-on weight restriction; be able to lift the bag into the bin if assistance is unavailable.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one personal item included on all fares.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: For mixed-airline itineraries, check the booking allowance and both operating airlines. No hanging-garment closets are available.
Policy checked .
KLM
Basic Europe
European Economy Basic, where offered; KLM-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (source order)
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 35 x 25 cm, including handles and wheels
- Weight and cabin option
12 kg Economy cabin total, including the small bag. Any added overhead bag shares this total.
Cabin option: Buy one overhead bag in My Trip up to 4 hours before departure.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Light, Standard and Flex include an overhead bag. Check the allowance in My Trip. Full flights may require free hold carriage; partner rules and exit-row storage may differ.
Policy checked .
Lufthansa
Economy Basic Europe
Selected European short- and medium-haul routes; Lufthansa-operated; Economy Basic.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (source order)
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 40 x 23 cm
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric personal-item weight stated. A purchased overhead bag has an 8 kg maximum.
Cabin option: Buy one overhead bag online up to 2 hours before departure. Not available to buy at the airport.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Long-haul Economy Basic includes an overhead bag. Eligible status benefits can add one on short-haul. A booked carry-on may travel in the hold if the cabin is full; other operators may differ.
Policy checked .
Qantas
Economy Sale Asia Pacific
International Economy Sale where offered; Qantas-operated; excludes departures from India.
- Included bags
1 personal item: No numeric limit stated; must be one small cross-body bag, handbag or laptop in a slim bag placed under the seat
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) maximum, including wheels and packed-away handles
- Weight and cabin option
7 kg maximum for the International Economy allowance. The source does not explicitly separate the personal-item weight or define a combined basis.
Cabin option: Carry-on included. Excess cabin baggage must be checked.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: India departures permit no additional personal item. Mixed domestic/international or partner itineraries must follow the lowest applicable allowance. Economy Sale availability varies by market.
Policy checked .
Ryanair
Basic Fare Europe
European short-haul; Ryanair-operated; Basic Fare.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm (bag-policy order)
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 40 x 20 cm
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric weight is stated for the included small bag. The optional Priority overhead bag has a 10 kg maximum.
Cabin option: Add Priority & 2 Cabin Bags for one 10 kg overhead bag; Regular, Flexi Plus and Time Saver include the same two-cabin-bag allowance.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Plus adds checked baggage instead of an overhead cabin bag. The fare page lists the same three small-bag sides as 40 x 20 x 30 cm.
Policy checked .
Singapore Airlines
Economy Lite Asia Pacific
Economy Lite sold in New Zealand; Singapore Airlines-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 10 cm maximum and 80 cm maximum total dimensions for a handbag or laptop/notebook bag
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 115 cm maximum total dimensions (length + width + height)
- Weight and cabin option
Up to 7 kg for the main cabin piece. No numeric weight stated for the additional small bag.
Cabin option: Main cabin piece and one qualifying small additional item included. Excess cabin baggage must be checked.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Choose one listed additional item; country restrictions apply. An oversized additional bag counts as the main cabin piece. Fare-family names can vary by market; the cited Lite fare circular covers New Zealand.
Policy checked .
Southwest Airlines
Basic Fare North America
U.S. Mainland Basic Fare; Southwest-operated; booked or changed on/after 9 April 2026.
- Included bags
1 personal item: No numeric limit stated; must be the smaller item and fit under the seat
1 overhead bag included (space isn't guaranteed). 24 x 16 x 10 in maximum, including wheels, handles and attachments
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric cabin weight limit stated in these policies.
Cabin option: One overhead bag and one personal item already included.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Partner-airline rules may differ. A pet carrier counts as the carry-on or personal item.
Policy checked .
United Airlines
Basic Economy North America
U.S. domestic Basic Economy; United-operated.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 9 x 10 x 17 in (22 x 25 x 43 cm) maximum
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 9 x 14 x 22 in (23 x 35 x 56 cm), including handle and wheels
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric cabin weight limit stated in this policy.
Cabin option: Other bags must be checked. No paid cabin-bag add-on is described for this fare.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Basic includes a carry-on to South America, across the Atlantic or across the Pacific. Status and qualifying-card benefits differ. CommutAir permits only one personal item; other United Express aircraft have limited space.
Policy checked .
Volotea
Standard Europe
European short-haul; Volotea-operated; Standard fare.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm maximum (height x width x depth)
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 40 x 25 cm maximum (height x width x depth)
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric weight is stated for the included small bag alone. With Priority Boarding, the small bag and overhead bag together may not exceed 10 kg.
Cabin option: Add Priority Boarding for one overhead bag while retaining the small bag.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Compliant cabin bags may go in the hold free when space is full. Codeshares use the operating carrier rules.
Policy checked .
Vueling
Fly Light bundle Europe
European short-haul; Vueling-operated; Fly Light.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm maximum
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 40 x 20 cm maximum
- Weight and cabin option
No numeric weight is stated for the included under-seat bag. The optional overhead bag has a 10 kg maximum.
Cabin option: Add the 2 pieces on board service or choose a qualifying Space One, Space Plus or Space seat for one 10 kg overhead bag.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: Fly includes an overhead bag only when that luggage option is selected. Fly Grande and Fly Pro include it; Fly Pro is agency-only. Added luggage is subject to availability.
Policy checked .
Wizz Air
Basic Fare Europe
European short-haul; Wizz Air-operated; Basic Fare.
- Included bags
1 personal item: 40 x 30 x 20 cm maximum; the published size excludes handles and wheels, while wheels may add no more than 5 cm
No overhead bag included. Reference size for eligible fares or add-ons: 55 x 40 x 23 cm maximum
- Weight and cabin option
The free under-seat carry-on and optional WIZZ Priority trolley each have a separate 10 kg maximum.
Cabin option: Add WIZZ Priority for one overhead trolley; WIZZ Plus and Smart include that benefit.
Exceptions and official sources
Exceptions: WIZZ Go adds checked baggage while retaining only the under-seat cabin bag. Operational restrictions can require the Priority trolley to travel in the hold.
Policy checked .
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Airline baggage allowance questions
Does the cheapest fare always include an overhead bag?
No. Nine of the 20 reviewed scenarios include an overhead bag, while 11 include only a personal item. These counts apply to the exact fares and routes named above, checked on 8 September 2026. They aren't airline-wide totals.
Are carry-on weight limits always per bag?
No. Airlines use different systems. Air France and KLM apply a 12 kg combined cabin total in the reviewed scenarios. easyJet and Frontier publish per-bag limits, while several airlines state no numeric cabin weight limit. Read the weight rule for your fare rather than applying one airline's method to another.
Does an included carry-on guarantee overhead-bin space?
No. An airline can gate-check a compliant overhead bag when the cabin is full or the aircraft has limited storage. Keep medication, travel documents and other essentials in the personal item that stays with you.