Travelers on both domestic and international flights in the US will need to adjust to new carry-on baggage rules.
Airlines have tightened restrictions on the size and weight of carry-on luggage as of September 1, 2024, which has an immediate effect on the experience of passengers. These changes are intended to streamline the boarding procedure and enhance airport and aircraft security.
In this regard, the new rule stipulates that carry-on luggage can weigh no more than 15 to 22 pounds. Additionally, the size of the baggage varies per airline, but generally speaking, they shouldn’t be larger than 22 inches by 18 inches by 10 inches.
Low-cost airlines, on the other hand, have stricter regulations, so it’s important to review each airline’s particular standards before booking a flight. These new regulations seek to expedite the boarding and security procedures while lowering in-flight hazards.
Many passengers, however, may find it difficult to adapt to these regulations in order to prevent extra costs or issues when boarding. We go into more detail about how airlines are responding to these new rules below.
Alaska Airlines
- The maximum size of a carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The sum of the length, width, and height is 45 inches.
- There is no weight restriction, but you have to lift it by yourself into the overhead bin.
- Personal Item: A briefcase, laptop, or pocketbook are a few examples.
American Airlines
- The maximum size of a carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
- Personal item: 18 x 14 x 8 inches is the maximum size. A laptop, compact backpack, or purse are a few examples.
- Weight: Carry-on luggage is not subject to weight restrictions.
Delta Air Lines
- The maximum size of a carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. The sum of the length, width, and height is 45 inches.
- Personal Item: A laptop, a pocketbook, or a tiny backpack are a few examples.
- Weight: Singapore’s 7 kg (15.4 lb) and Beijing and Shanghai’s 10 kg (22 lb) weight restrictions apply to international airports.
- Bring-along Bag: Depending on the type of ticket, fees apply.
Frontier Airlines
- The maximum weight is 35 pounds or less, and the maximum dimensions are 24 x 16 x 10 inches. The overhead bin must accommodate it.
- Personal item: must fit beneath the seat in front of you and have maximum dimensions of 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
- Checked bags must weigh no more than 40 pounds and have linear measurements no greater than 62 inches before additional charges are applied.
JetBlue
- The maximum size of a carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
- Personal item: 17 x 13 x 9 inches is the maximum size. A tiny backpack, pocketbook, or camera bag are a few examples.
- Weight: Carry-on luggage has no weight restrictions.
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Southwest Airlines
- The maximum size for a carry-on bag is 24 x 16 x 10 inches.
- Personal item: 18.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 inches is the maximum size.
- Weight: There are no restrictions on weight
United Airlines
- The maximum size of a carry-on bag, including wheels and handles, is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
- Personal item: 17 x 10 x 9 inches is the maximum size. A little pocketbook or backpack are two examples.
- Weight: No weight limitations have been published.
Before departing, always review the airline’s policies, as limitations may differ depending on the route, kind of ticket, and other considerations.
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Important guidelines for carry-on luggage
One of the most crucial things to keep in mind is that carry-on luggage needs to adhere to both weight and dimension restrictions as well as content limitations.
For instance, certain hazardous items like blades and burning materials, as well as liquids in containers bigger than 100 cc, would not be permitted.
Additionally, even though food can be transported by airlines, some goods, such alcoholic beverages with an alcohol level of 24% to 70%, can only be transported as checked baggage.
Understanding these limitations is essential to preventing issues when boarding. If passengers don’t follow the rules, they can be subject to extra charges, have to check their luggage, or even have some of their belongings taken away. Additionally, there are a few things that are easily added to carry-on luggage.
These include candies, cheese, coffee beans, almonds, dried fruit, tinned goods, and various other things including sauces, drinks, soups, and yoghurts that don’t contain more than 100 milliliters.
Advice on how to adjust to the new baggage rules
Travelers should research the exact policies of the airline they will be flying with to make sure they comply with the new laws without experiencing any inconvenience. Generally speaking, low-cost airlines are far more stringent when it comes to size and weight restrictions than major airlines.
Passengers should also make sure they are aware of what they can and cannot bring, particularly liquids, which are still a major source of issues at security checkpoints.
