FitOrNoFit

✅ Qatar Airways allows Economy passengers 1 carry-on up to 20 × 15 × 10 inches (50 × 37 × 25 cm), maximum weight 15 lbs (7 kg).
Business and First Class: 2 carry-ons, combined weight limit 33 lbs (15 kg).
Wheels and handles count toward the size.

Cabin Class	Carry-On Size (inches)	Pieces Allowed	Weight Limit
Economy	20 × 15 × 10	1	15 lbs (7 kg)
Business/First	20 × 15 × 10 (per bag)	2	33 lbs (15 kg combined)

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure including wheels and handles.
2. Economy: check under 20 × 15 × 10 inches and weigh under 7 kg.
3. Business/First: ensure both bags together are under 15 kg.
4. Confirm personal items fit easily under the seat.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Qatar enforces weight limits strictly at check-in.
• Oversized or overweight bags are checked to hold.
• Regional partners may apply even stricter limits.

Sources

Qatar Airways cabin baggage policy

✅ Emirates allows Economy passengers 1 carry-on up to 21.6 × 15 × 8 inches (55 × 38 × 20 cm), maximum weight 15 lbs (7 kg).
Business and First Class: 2 carry-ons (briefcase + handbag or garment bag), each up to 15 lbs (7 kg).
Total combined weight: 30 lbs (14 kg).

Cabin Class	Carry-On Size (inches)	Pieces Allowed	Weight Limit
Economy	21.6 × 15 × 8	1	15 lbs (7 kg)
Business/First	Briefcase + handbag/garment	2	30 lbs (14 kg combined)

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure wheels and handles too.
2. Economy: check 21.6 × 15 × 8 inches and weigh under 15 lbs (7 kg).
3. Business/First: weigh both pieces together under 30 lbs (14 kg).
4. Confirm small items fit under the seat.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Emirates enforces weight limits strictly, especially on Economy.
• Business/First carry-ons must be the approved piece types (briefcase, handbag, garment bag).
• Oversized or overweight bags will be checked at the gate.

Sources

Emirates cabin baggage policy

✅ Yes, Air France allows 1 carry-on up to 21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8 inches (55 × 35 × 25 cm), plus 1 personal item (laptop bag, handbag, or small backpack).
Economy: 1 carry-on + 1 personal item, combined weight 26 lbs (12 kg).
Business/La Première: 2 carry-ons + 1 personal item, combined weight 40 lbs (18 kg).

Cabin Class	Carry-On Size (inches)	Personal Item	Weight Limit
Economy	21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8	Yes	26 lbs (12 kg total)
Business/First	21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8 (x2)	Yes	40 lbs (18 kg combined)

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure including wheels and handles.
2. Compare with the 21.6 × 13.7 × 9.8 inch carry-on limit.
3. Weigh your bag to ensure it’s under the class-specific weight limit.
4. Confirm your personal item fits under the seat.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Air France enforces weight limits at check-in.
• Business/First allow 2 carry-ons, but combined weight still applies.
• Oversized or overweight bags may be checked at the gate.

Sources

Air France cabin baggage policy

✅ Yes, KLM allows 1 carry-on bag up to 21.5 × 13.5 × 9 inches (55 × 35 × 23 cm), plus 1 personal item (laptop bag or small handbag).
Economy Class: 1 carry-on + 1 personal item. Business Class: 2 carry-ons + 1 personal item.
Weight limit: 26 lbs (12 kg) in Economy; 40 lbs (18 kg total) in Business.

Cabin Class	Carry-On Size (inches)	Personal Item	Weight Limit
Economy	21.5 × 13.5 × 9	Yes	26 lbs (12 kg)
Business	21.5 × 13.5 × 9 (x2 bags)	Yes	40 lbs (18 kg combined)

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure including wheels and handles.
2. Compare with 21.5 × 13.5 × 9 inch size.
3. Weigh your bag to ensure under 12 kg (Economy) or 18 kg (Business).
4. For personal items, confirm they fit under a seat.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• KLM enforces weight limits, especially on international flights.
• Business class allows 2 carry-ons, but the combined weight still matters.
• Oversized or overweight bags may be checked at the gate.

Sources

KLM official cabin baggage policy

✅ Carry-on bags often get gate-checked even if they meet size limits because overhead bins fill up, or the aircraft is a smaller regional jet with limited space.
It’s not about TSA rules — it’s about available bin space and airline policies.

Main Reasons Bags Are Gate-Checked

• Full overhead bins: On busy flights, space runs out quickly.
• Regional aircraft: Smaller planes have much smaller bins.
• Late boarding: If you board in a later group, bins may already be full.
• Aircraft swaps: Sometimes planes change last-minute to a smaller model.

Tips to Avoid Gate-Check

• Board earlier (buy priority boarding or check in early).
• Use a smaller carry-on or soft-sided bag.
• Store your bag quickly in the bin above your seat.
• Fly airlines with more generous bin sizes (Southwest, JetBlue).

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Gate-check is usually free, but you’ll have to wait at baggage claim.
• Bags checked at the gate are handled like regular checked bags (risk of damage).
• Some fragile or valuable items should always stay with you in a personal item.

Sources

Washington Post — why gate checks happen

✅ Yes. The TSA does not set carry-on size limits — each airline decides its own rules.
That’s why carry-on dimensions vary (e.g., 22 × 14 × 9 inches on most U.S. airlines, but stricter or looser on others).

Airline	Carry-On Size (inches)	Notes
American	22 × 14 × 9	Personal item 18 × 14 × 8
Delta	22 × 14 × 9	45 linear inches rule
Southwest	24 × 16 × 10	More generous than most
Spirit	22 × 18 × 10 (paid)	Free personal item only

Why TSA Doesn’t Set the Sizes

• TSA is responsible for security screening, not airline bag policies.
• TSA only checks for prohibited items.
• Airlines set size and weight rules independently.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Some travelers assume TSA sets a standard — it doesn’t.
• Regional jets often have smaller bins, so even compliant bags may be gate-checked.
• International airlines (like Lufthansa, British Airways) may have stricter weight limits.

Sources

TSA FAQ: What are size restrictions for carry-on bags?

✅ Yes, Lufthansa allows 1 carry-on up to 21.6 × 15.7 × 9 inches (55 × 40 × 23 cm) in Economy/Premium Economy, plus 1 personal item.
Business and First Class may bring 2 carry-ons.
Weight limit: 17 lbs (8 kg) per bag. Wheels and handles count toward the size.

Item	Max Size (inches)	Weight Limit	Notes
Carry-On	21.6 × 15.7 × 9	17 lbs (8 kg)	1 piece in Economy, 2 in Business/First
Personal Item	Must fit under seat	17 lbs (8 kg)	Laptop bag, purse, or small backpack

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure wheels and handles too.
2. Compare with the 21.6 × 15.7 × 9 carry-on rule.
3. Weigh bag to ensure it’s under 17 lbs (8 kg).
4. Check that your personal item slides fully under a seat.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Lufthansa strictly enforces the 8 kg weight limit for carry-ons.
• Premium cabins (Business/First) allow 2 carry-ons, each up to 8 kg.
• Oversized or overweight bags will be checked at the gate.

Sources

Lufthansa carry-on baggage policy

✅ Yes, British Airways allows 1 larger cabin bag up to 22 × 18 × 10 inches (56 × 45 × 25 cm), plus 1 small personal item up to 16 × 12 × 6 inches (40 × 30 × 15 cm).
Weight limit: each bag up to 51 lbs (23 kg). Wheels and handles count toward the size.

Item	Max Size (inches)	Weight Limit	Notes
Carry-On	22 × 18 × 10	51 lbs (23 kg)	Wheels/handles included
Personal Item	16 × 12 × 6	51 lbs (23 kg)	Must fit under the seat

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure including wheels and handles.
2. Compare with the 22 × 18 × 10 cabin bag limit.
3. Weigh your bag to ensure under 51 lbs.
4. For your personal item, test against 16 × 12 × 6 under-seat space.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• British Airways allows generous weights (23 kg) but enforces size limits.
• Overhead bins can fill quickly on busy flights; compliant bags may be gate-checked.
• Regional/partner airlines may have stricter limits.

Sources

British Airways baggage essentials

✅ Yes, Hawaiian Airlines allows 1 carry-on up to 22 × 14 × 9 inches (56 × 36 × 23 cm), plus 1 personal item that fits under the seat.
Carry-on bags also have a weight limit of 25 lbs (11 kg). Wheels and handles count toward the size.

Item	Max Size (inches)	Notes
Carry-On	22 × 14 × 9	Max weight 25 lbs (11 kg)
Personal Item	Must fit under seat	Backpack, purse, laptop

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure wheels and handles too.
2. Compare with the 22 × 14 × 9 size limit.
3. Weigh your carry-on to ensure it’s under 25 lbs.
4. Check that your personal item slides fully under a seat.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• The 25 lb weight limit is enforced on Hawaiian flights.
• Regional or inter-island aircraft may require gate-check of carry-ons.
• Oversized or overweight carry-ons may be checked at the counter.

Sources

Hawaiian Airlines baggage policy

✅ Yes, Air Canada allows 1 standard carry-on up to 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 inches (55 × 40 × 23 cm), plus 1 personal item up to 17 × 13 × 6 inches (43 × 33 × 16 cm).
Wheels and handles count toward the size.

Item	Max Size (inches)	Notes
Carry-On	21.5 × 15.5 × 9	Wheels/handles included
Personal Item	17 × 13 × 6	Must fit under seat

How to Measure Your Bag

1. Measure your bag including wheels and handles.
2. Compare with the 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 inch carry-on rule.
3. Test personal items against 17 × 13 × 6 under-seat space.

Gotchas / Common Issues

• Air Canada checks bag size carefully at boarding gates.
• Oversized personal items may be forced into carry-on category.
• Regional flights may require gate-check even for compliant bags.

Sources

Air Canada baggage policy