Do backpacks count as carry on?

Answer: Yes, if the backpack fits under the seat in front of you or in the overhead cabin it would be considered a carry-on or a personal item.

You do have to think about size when asking this question. Your common school backpacks or laptop backpacks will fit underneath an air plane seat. Your bigger hunting or hiking backpacks will not fit under the seat, but if they fit in the overhead bins and meet the carryon standards of the specific airline, you should be fine. If it does not meet the below airline standards, the pack will have to be checked in as luggage.

We provide all of the information you need on how do backpacks count as carry on.

Below we will provide you with each airlines guide lines on carryon size.

American Airlines Carry-on Size

56 x 36 x 23 cmAmerican Airlines (AA) allows 1 carry-on bag and 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger fee free. It should not exceed the following size and weight restrictions: 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 in) or 115 centimeters (56 x 36 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels.

Delta Airlines Carry On Size

Carry on -Baggage size must not exceed 62 inches (157 cm) when you total LENGTH + WIDTH + HEIGHT

Approved Personal Items

Personal item – Pick an item like below or of a similar size to store beneath the seat in front of you during your flight.

1 purse, briefcase, small backpack, camera bag or diaper bag
1 laptop bag (computers cannot be checked, unless directed to by security)
1 item of similar or smaller size to those listed

Southwest Airline Carry On Size

Carryon bag dimensions are limited to – 10 x 16 x 24 inches. You must store your carryon in the overhead bin. Storing it wheels facing out helps us get wheels up faster! If you’re traveling with a pet, carriers are counted as either your personal item or carryon.
Personal Bags – items include purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included). Your personal item must be stored under the seat in front of you, fitting within 18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inch dimensions

United Airlines Carry On Size

carry-on bag – should fit in the overhead bin. The maximum dimensions for a carry-on bag are 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 centimeters x 35 centimeters x 56 centimeters). This includes handles and wheels.

personal item – should fit underneath the seat in front of you. The maximum dimensions for your personal item are 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters).

Jet Blue Carry On Size

Overhead bin -Including wheels and handles, carry-on bags must not exceed 22″ L (55.88 cm) x 14″ W (35.56 cm) x 9″ H (22.86 cm). Under the seat – Personal items must not exceed 17″ L (43.2 cm) x 13″ W (33 cm) x 8″ H (20.32 cm).

Do Backpacks Count as a Personal Item?

Yes, a backpack can count as a personal item depending on the size. We provided dimensions above

In order to carry a backpack as a personal item, you should follow the guidelines provided by the airline. Backpacks that are considered personal items are your average packs, smaller, compact and within a reasonable size.

You can fit a personal bag under the seat or in the overhead bin. Bigger backpacks do fit in the overhead bin, but you can fit a smaller backpack under the seat in front of you and put a smaller luggage in the overhead bin.

Carry-On vs Check-In Bag

There are definitely more positives in having a carryon compared to a check-in. The most obvious reason is that your items don’t leave your side. You don’t risk losing your luggage if your in control of it. this is especially important for connecting flights where your bags have to switch from one plane to the other. This is usually where most bags are lost.

The second big benefit is time. If you like checking in quickly and avoiding all the stickers, tickets and people complaining about the wait times, having a carry on is easier. You also don’t have to wait at the huge metal carousels for what seems like hours until they unload all the bags. Purchasing a backpack with a trolley sleeve will make it a lot easier to put your backpack on your luggage and just roll both throughout the airport conveniently.

Whats the Maximum Carry On Size

Every airline has slightly different dimensions when it comes to the size of the bag you can carry on. The best way to look at it is, does it fit under the seat? If yes, then you should be fine. If it is a carry on luggage then it should fit in the overhead bin. We feel comfortable recommending a 45-liter volume backpack as the maximum size to travel with as a carryon.

Carry On Luggage Maximum Weight

Keep your carry on weight under 50 pounds maximum as a rule of thumb. Inside the United States the limits of size are geared more towards size dimensions opposed to weight.

You should keep in mind, carrying over 50 pounds is a lot of weight. You don’t want to hurt yourself before a trip and ruin your vacation or travel plans. You also have to keep in mind that you have to lift this backpack or luggage over your head and in to the over head bins.

If you are traveling internationally and you want to know how do backpacks count as carry on in those countries always double check these airlines and cities policies

Weight limits to carry-on baggage apply in the following locations.

Singapore, Singapore – Changi International Airport (SIN) carry-on should not exceed 15 lbs. (7 kg)
Beijing, China – Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) requires that domestic hand carry bags should not exceed 10 kg. Individual carrier rules apply for international flights.
Shanghai, China – Pudong International Airport (PVG) carry-on should not exceed 22lbs. (10 kg)

Can I take two backpacks as carry on

Yes, you can bring two backpacks on a plane one of the backpacks will be stowed as a carry-on luggage in the overhead bin and the other backpack is considered a personal item to be stowed away underneath the seat in front of you.

What size backpack is allowed on a plane?

We recommend using up to a 45 liter backpack. Each airline provides their individual size standards for carry on and personal items its best to check their website before traveling. Airlines allow up to 62 linear inches. You can calculate the linear inches by adding width + feet + length.

Is a personal item the same as a carry on?

Airlines consider a personal item separate from a carry on item.A personal item can be stowed away underneath the seat in front of you and a carry on can be stowed away in the overhead bin. A personal item could be a purse or a back pack and a carry on can be considered a duffel bag, small luggage or a bigger backpack.

What size backpack is considered a personal item?

All carry-on items must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and may not exceed 22″ x 14″ x 9″

Can I bring a duffel bag and a backpack as a carry on?

You can use the duffel bag as a carry on and the backpack as a personal item. Just make sure you visit the airlines website for size guidelines for carryon and personal items.