Carry-On Luggage Regulations?

[ArkiStan]

I've probably taken nearly 50 flights in my lifetime, but I guess I've never cared enough to think about this. When the airline says "One piece of carry-on luggage is allowed," does that include my backpack, or is it in addition to my backpack?

[LegendKiller]

I've probably taken nearly 50 flights in my lifetime, but I guess I've never cared enough to think about this. When the airline says "One piece of carry-on luggage is allowed," does that include my backpack, or is it in addition to my backpack?


You can have a carry on luggage + 1 personal item. So I can bring a wheel on luggage plus a laptop bag. The luggage goes into the overhead bin, the laptop bag goes under the seat.

[ArkiStan]

Well, my backpack will be a bit bigger than a laptop bag. So, is it OK as long as it fits under the seat?

[DaFunkyUnit]

has anyone ever brought along a snowboard on a plane? what do they do then?

[zippyjuan]

They may very by airline and the size of the plane, but here is a list of guidlines (contact your airline for current requirements and restrictions):


Carry on luggage policies by airline:

American: Limit of two carry-ons; each bag is to be no bigger than 45 inches in combined height, length, and width. Carry-ons include cameras and briefcases but not handbags, coats, canes, walkers, or other assistive devices.

Special treatment: First-class and business-class passengers can carry on more items because there's more space. Strollers are checked at gate and returned at jet bridge on arrival.

Continental: No specific limits -- depends on the flight and space availability; airline is enlarging carry-on space in overhead bins on its planes.

Delta: Limit of two carry-ons; each must weigh less than 40 pounds and be no bigger than 24 inches long, 16 inches high, and 10 inches wide. Carry-ons include computers, briefcases, and duty-free purchases but not handbags, coats, food for onboard consumption, crutches, canes, and other assistive devices, umbrellas, reasonable amount of reading material, strollers, and car seats.

Special treatment: Car seats not used in flight must be checked. Violins and other delicate items that don't fit the measurements must be checked.

Northwest: Limit of one carry-on with maximum dimensions of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches plus one other "special item," which may include a briefcase, laptop computer, large purse, camera, infant car seat, diaper bag, or stroller. Carry-ons do not include small handbags, coats, umbrellas, canes, walkers, crutches, collapsible manual wheelchairs, or reading material.

Special treatment: Passengers flying first class, world business class, or members of International Gold Elite or WorldPerks Gold allowed one extra carry-on.

TWA: Limit of two items, with each having maximum dimensions of 10 inches wide, 16 inches high, and 24 inches long. Carry-ons include handbags, computers, briefcases, and baby strollers but not coats and umbrellas, canes, walkers, and cameras.

Special treatment: On international flights, one extra carry-on is allowed for business-class travelers; on domestic flights, same rules apply to all passengers.

United: Limit of two items, each no more than 45 linear inches (length plus width and height); at some airports, there will be a 9-inch-by-14-inch "template" at security checkpoints. If luggage doesn't fit, bag must be checked. Carry-ons include briefcases, computers, large purses, cameras, and strollers (can be checked at gate) but not small purses (less than 25 linear inches), coats, child safety seats used in flight, canes, walkers, and other assistive devices.

US Airways: Two bags are permitted. Maximum for overhead bin is 24 inches by 16 inches by 10 inches; underneath seat maxiumum is 21 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches. On aircraft with valet bag bins, maximum is 45 inches by 23.5 inches by 4 inches. Carry-ons include briefcases and laptops but not handbags or camera bags (not exceeding 18 inches by 12 inches by 4 inches), coats, umbrellas, reading material canes, child safety seats, or strollers, if they fit.

Special treatment: Same rules for everybody, including passengers on the US Airways Shuttle and Metrojet.

[chadlnc]

Well, my backpack will be a bit bigger than a laptop bag. So, is it OK as long as it fits under the seat?

I always have one rolling bag and my backpack. It will be just fine.

[IrishSS]

has anyone ever brought along a snowboard on a plane? what do they do then?

I never have, but was thinking about this the other night...

There is no place to store a snowboard in the cabin, so I highly doubt they would let you carry it on... It won't fit in the overhead or under a seat (unless it's a midget snowboard I guess...).

[Merlin]

I've probably taken nearly 50 flights in my lifetime, but I guess I've never cared enough to think about this. When the airline says "One piece of carry-on luggage is allowed," does that include my backpack, or is it in addition to my backpack?
Your backpack counts as a personal item - as long as it is not one of those oversized monster ones that survivalists use on expeditions. Your packpack is treated the same way a pruse is treated. In addition to that you can bring a carry on bag.


has anyone ever brought along a snowboard on a plane? what do they do then?
I have brought my skis with me when flying in the past. It goes to what is called special handling luggage. So you check it in normally (no, you can't carry it on with you) and after you get off the plane you need to go to a special area to pick it up. It won't come down the baggage carousel like everything else. Now some airports at ski destinations do have dedicated areas for this. Denver for example gets a lot of ski traffic. They have a special ski conveyor belt. It almost looks like a moving locker. Travelling with your snowboard won't be a problem.

[cheapie]

agreed. unless you try and carry it on. which won't happen. lol.

[DarkFury]

has anyone ever brought along a snowboard on a plane? what do they do then?
That would be checked in and counted as one of your 2 pieces of "checked luggage".

Pretty much airlines are getting REALLY picky about this... Last time I flew, max "free" weight was 50lbs per checked bag and then you had to pay $25 for any bag 51 to 75 pounds. Any bag over 75 pounds and you were charged an additional $60 for "oversized" check in.

I used to try to pack EVERYTHING in one big bag... but now I just use 2 smaller bags because it ultimately is cheaper to go that route.

[cheapie]

one caveat is that with skis/snowboards the board/ski bag and a boot bag count as one bag on most airlines. so suitcase + snowboard bag + boot bag = 2 items.