The Carry-On Size That Fits (Almost) Every Airline in 2026
We compared the cabin bag limits of 39 airlines. Here's the largest bag that fits all of them, region by region, and what weight limits to watch out for.
If you fly more than one airline, the bag you buy has to fit the strictest one. We put the cabin bag limits of 39 airlines side by side to find the biggest bag that still fits every one of them. Every limit comes from the airline's own website.
The size that fits every airline we track
For a carry-on, the largest bag that fits every per-side limit across all 39 airlines is **50 x 35 x 20 cm (19.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in)**. That is smaller than a typical US-size 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on.
For the bag under the seat, the number is much smaller: **40 x 25 x 10 cm (15.7 x 9.8 x 3.9 in)**. That is because a few airlines, including Vietjet, AirAsia and Singapore Airlines, cap the extra under-seat bag at just 10 cm deep.
In practice most people don't fly all 39 airlines, so the size by region is more useful.
North America
In the US and Canada, almost everyone uses 22 x 14 x 9 inches for a carry-on, and most airlines don't weigh it.
- Carry-on that fits every North American airline here: **21.7 x 13.8 x 9 in (55 x 35 x 22.86 cm)**
- Personal item that fits every one that publishes a size: **16.1 x 9.8 x 5.9 in (41 x 25 x 15 cm)**
Watch out for Air Canada, WestJet and Porter: their personal item is only 6 inches (15 to 16 cm) deep.
Europe
European carry-on limits look similar, but many airlines add a weight limit, and low-cost airlines charge for anything bigger than the under-seat bag.
- Carry-on that fits every European airline here: **55 x 35 x 20 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 in)**
- Personal item: **40 x 30 x 15 cm (15.7 x 11.8 x 5.9 in)**
Air France and KLM allow only 35 cm of width, and Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines cap the carry-on at 8 kg.
Asia and the Middle East
Weight matters more than size here. Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Vietjet and AirAsia limit Economy cabin bags to 7 kg, and some count the personal item in the same 7 kg.
- Carry-on that fits every Asian airline here: **55 x 36 x 23 cm (21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 in)**
- Middle East: **50 x 37 x 22 cm (19.7 x 14.6 x 8.7 in)**
Singapore Airlines doesn't limit each side at all. Instead, length + width + height must add up to 115 cm or less.
Oceania and Latin America
- Oceania: **55 x 36 x 23 cm (21.7 x 14.2 x 9.1 in)**, with a 7 kg limit in Economy on Qantas, Jetstar and Air New Zealand.
- Latin America: **55 x 35 x 25 cm (21.7 x 13.8 x 9.8 in)**. LATAM allows 12 kg, but not on its Basic fare.
What to buy
- Decide which airlines you actually fly. If it's mostly US airlines, a 22 x 14 x 9 inch bag is fine.
- If you fly European low-cost airlines, a 55 x 40 x 20 cm bag fits Ryanair, Wizz Air and Vueling's paid cabin bag, but it's too wide for Air France and KLM.
- Check the weight. The bag itself counts toward the limit, so under a 7 kg limit a heavy hard-shell suitcase leaves much less room for your things than a light soft bag. Weigh it empty before you buy.
- Measure with wheels and handles, packed, before you fly.
Check a bag you already own
Will your bag fit?
Measure with wheels, handles and pockets included. The order of the sides doesn't matter.
