With checked bag fees on the rise, flying carry-on only has become the number one hack to keep travel costs low. Squeezing the essentials into an overhead-bin-approved suitcase saves you money, lets you skip the check-in desk, and avoids the crowds at baggage claim.
Though it varies by airline, most carriers stick to a reasonable 22 x 14 x 9 inch maximum for carry-on bags, with some international carriers adding a weight limit. However, a few run a much tighter ship when it comes to the luggage they allow on board. Chronic overpackers will want to avoid these seven airlines with some of the strictest carry-on policies.
Jetstar
Jetstar Airways, a subsidiary of Qantas, includes a fairly standard 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on with its Starter Fare. The catch? The combined weight of a passenger’s carry-on and personal item must not exceed 15.4 pounds (in case you were wondering, your average pair of sneakers weighs in at about 2 pounds alone).
Iberia
Iberia’s luggage limits are standard at first glance, limiting cabin bags to 21.5 x 15.5 x 9.5 inches. However, while many international airlines limit carry-on bags to 22 pounds, Iberia restricts the cumulative weight of your carry-on and personal items to 22 pounds total. Split 75/25, that’s just 16.5 pounds for a carry-on with 5.5 pounds left for a personal item.
RyanAir
RyanAir’s carry-on policies are so notorious that even their own social media can’t resist calling them out. Many passengers who book with RyanAir will try to skate by with their Basic Fare hand luggage, limited to one 15.7 x 7.9 x 9.8 inch bag that must fit beneath the seat in front of you. For the small price of a Regular Fare upgrade, passengers gain the privilege of overhead bin space but are limited to 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.9 inches. And trust me, they will measure at the gate.
EasyJet
EasyJet passengers in the Standard Class must limit their carry-on cases to 17.7 x 14 x 7.8 inches, including handles and wheels. The cabin bag weight limit, however, is a generous 33 pounds, so go ahead and try to stuff as much as you can into that tiny space.
Singapore Air, Emirates, and Qantas
Singapore Air limits its carry-on luggage to 45 total linear inches, meaning individual dimensions can be any length as long as they total no more than 45 inches. This means that the usual 22 x 14 x 9 inch suitcase would be acceptable. Emirates and Qantas have similar carry-on policies, coming in at 22 x 15 x 8 inches and 22 x 9 x 14 inches, respectively.
What do these airlines have in common? Firstly, they all offer carry-ons free of charge in Economy class. Secondly, they all limit these free carry-ons to just 15 pounds, so although a standard carry-on will pass muster, it’s in your best interest to pack in a smaller, lighter bag.
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