How to check carry-on bag rules and fees

What is the difference between a personal item and a cabin bag?

American Airlines separates the personal item from the carry-on by size and by where the bag goes. A personal item such as a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front and should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). [2] The carry-on must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat, must fit the airport sizer, and cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels. [2]

British Airways lists one cabin bag at 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 in), including wheels and handles, and one handbag or backpack at 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in). [3] The handbag or backpack is guaranteed in the cabin, while the cabin bag may need to go in the hold and must be liftable into the overhead compartment unassisted. [3]

Why does the fare brand change the carry-on package?

In the cabin-by-cabin allowance detail on the British Airways baggage page, the hand-bag and cabin-bag limits stay the same throughout: the hand bag maximum is 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in) and the cabin bag maximum is 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 in), including wheels and handles. [3] The baggage calculator on the same page, however, returns two different under-seat figures in different results: one result lists 1 handbag or backpack at 40 x 30 x 15 cm, and another lists 1 handbag or backpack at 45 x 36 x 20 cm, while both list the cabin bag at 56 x 45 x 25 cm. [3]

What the fare brand does change in the source is the checked-bag side of the package. British Airways says passengers on its hand baggage only (Economy Basic) fare are charged extra to put any bags into the hold because those fares do not include checked baggage. [3] The fare options shown with the calculator are Economy (no checked bag), Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First class. [3]

How is a cabin bag sized at the airport?

American Airlines requires the carry-on to fit the airport sizer, and its 22 x 14 x 9 inch limit includes handles and wheels. [2] Some airports and planes may have additional carry-on restrictions. [2] A soft-sided garment bag used as the carry-on cannot exceed 51 inches (130 cm) in total dimensions. [2]

British Airways includes wheels and handles in its 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin-bag limit and requires the passenger to lift the bag into the overhead compartment unassisted. [3] If a passenger has more than two pieces of hand baggage, or the pieces are over the permitted size, the larger bags may have to go into the hold as checked baggage. [3]

What happens at the gate when the cabin is full?

American Airlines uses valet bags on American Eagle regional flights with limited overhead bin space. [2] A carry-on larger than the personal-item dimensions must be valet-checked before boarding; the bag is tagged and checked at the gate at no charge and returned on the jetbridge after arrival. [2] Batteries, electronic cigarettes and other restricted items must be removed before the bag is checked. [2] Embraer ERJ-175 planes allow carry-on bags and do not offer valet service. [2]

British Airways says a cabin bag may need to go in the hold and advises passengers not to pack valuables, electronics or essential medicines in it. [3] The smaller handbag or backpack is guaranteed in the cabin. [3] Spare device batteries and power banks must be carried in that smaller under-seat item because they are not permitted in the aircraft hold. [3] British Airways also warns that medication should not be packed in the larger cabin bag because it may be asked to go into the hold on busy flights. [3]

Exceptions and limits

• American Airlines says some airports and planes may have additional carry-on restrictions. [2]
• American Eagle regional flights have limited overhead bin space; on those flights a carry-on larger than the personal-item dimensions must be valet-checked, except on Embraer ERJ-175 planes, which allow carry-on bags and do not offer valet service. [2]
• Diaper bags (one per child), breast pumps, small soft-sided coolers of breast milk, child safety seats, strollers and medical or mobility devices do not count as the personal item or carry-on at American Airlines. [2]
• British Airways may move larger bags to the hold if a passenger has more than two pieces of hand baggage or the pieces are over the permitted size. [3]
• On British Airways' hand baggage only (Economy Basic) fare, there is no checked baggage allowance, and putting any bag into the hold costs extra. [3]
• British Airways says allowances may be different on partner-operated flights even under a BA flight number; on a connecting journey that includes BA and other airline codes, the baggage allowance is generally determined by the airline operating the longest flight. [3]

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring a carry-on bag and a personal item on the same flight?

American Airlines allows one personal item and one carry-on if both meet its size rules. [2] British Airways lists one cabin bag and one handbag or backpack. [3]

What size is American Airlines' carry-on bag?

The carry-on cannot exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels, and it must fit the airport sizer. [2] The personal item limit is 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm). [2]

What happens if a British Airways cabin bag has to go in the hold?

British Airways says a cabin bag may need to go in the hold; keep valuables, electronics and essential medicines in the under-seat handbag or backpack. [3] Spare batteries and power banks must also stay in the smaller under-seat item because they are not allowed in the hold. [3]

Does British Airways' Economy Basic fare include a full-size cabin bag?

British Airways lists the same 56 x 45 x 25 cm cabin bag on Economy (no checked bag) and Economy. [3] The hand-baggage-only (Economy Basic) fare includes no checked bag, and British Airways charges extra to put any bags in the hold. [3]

Related pages

For bags that go in the hold, see the checked baggage allowance checklist. For fare context, see basic economy fare. For security screening, see the airport liquids rule. For definitions, browse all terms.

Sources

Sources accessed on 18 October 2026. This guide covers American Airlines and British Airways only; other airlines, including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Emirates, are not covered here.

1. American Airlines carry-on bags and size limits, checked 18 October 2026
2. British Airways baggage essentials, checked 18 October 2026