You’re allowed to bring one carry-on and one personal item with you in the cabin on all major carriers. If you prepare ahead, you may “overflow” this personal item from your travel and avoid baggage charges.
What you may bring aboard as a personal item differs per airline. The regulations of each airline govern personal goods. In this post, I’ll talk about the allowances and personal items and what to include in each.
What is the definition of a personal item?
TSA no longer defines personal goods.
In terms of personal belongings, the basic guideline is straightforward: the bag must be able to fit beneath the seat in front of you.
Each airline has its own definition of what constitutes a personal item. Some instances are as follows:
- “One carry-on baggage and one personal item (satchel, suitcase, travel bag),” according to American Airlines.
According to Delta, each traveler is allowed one carry-on luggage and one personal item (wallet, satchel, shoulder bag). - “One briefcase plus one purse or one garment bag,” says Emirates.
- “One tiny item onboard the airplane fits beneath the front seat: small purses, laptop backpack, little backpacks, photography bags, suitcases,” says Cathay Pacific Airways.
- “Shoulder bag, handbag, small backpack, or another small item,” according to United Airlines.
- “One small personal item,” according to Qantas, “such as a purse, a laptop computer in a thin bag, an overcoat, a small camera, a fair quantity of reading material, or a modest amount of duty-free items (where permitted).”
The personal item is a compact bag, such as a duffel bag, daypack, handbag, tote, or laptop bag, which is the primary motif of all airlines.
This guideline may be followed with a small duffel bag.
Additionally, most airlines allow the following to be brought on board:
- Hat, coat, or jacket
- Umbrella
- Blanket or pillow
- Newspaper or book
- After passing security, you may buy food or beverages.
- For a lap or ticketed youngster, an FAA-approved child seat, pram, and baby bag are required.
- Braces, crutches, walkers, CPAP machines, wheelchairs, canes, and portable oxygen concentrators, are examples of assistive equipment for passengers.
- Duty-free shopping
- Carrier for pets
Is a small duffle bag considered a carry-on?
Yes, to put it simply.
A duffel bag, on the other hand, isn’t the most popular kind of personal item. The most common styles include briefcases, purses, and compact backpacks.
However, know that if your luggage is on the larger side or it has a certain appearance, airport personnel may pick it out and think it’s a “non-personal item.”
Make sure your duffel fits under the seat in front of you by keeping it within the airline’s personal item dimensions.
Meet Craig, the leather guru behind a store and blog that helps you find the best leather products. When he’s not curating lists of top-tier leather items, he’s hiking Table Mountain or walking his dog. Trust his picks, and you’ll never feel leather regret.