Airlines normally allow passengers to bring personal items into the cabin. While some of them offer overhead cabin storage, others normally offer under-seat storage or both. The under-seat storage is usually the small space found underneath the seat in front of you. Different airlines have different luggage/baggage size restrictions, and below is an overview reference of underseat luggage size restrictions for popular airlines, summarized. Note that the dimensions take the form of length x width x height. In case of confusion, it is also worth noting that the dimensions listed typically includes wheels and handles (if applicable).
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Allegiant Airlines
- American Airlines
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific Airways
- Delta Airlines
- Easy Jet
- Emirates
- Finnair
- Frontier Airlines
- JetBlue
- Lufthansa
- Norwegian Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM)
- Ryanair
- Southwest Airlines
- Singapore Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- United Airlines
- Wizz Air
Air Canada
Your luggage should have a total of 92 linear centimeters, i.e., 43 x 33 x 16 cm. it should fit underneath the seat in front of you or the overhead cabin.
Air France
Your underseat luggage shouldn’t exceed 55 x 35 x 25 cm with a total weight allowance of 12 kg. Air France also allows you to carry a personal item free of charge in a see-through and re-sealable bag. Its dimensions shouldn’t be more than 20 x 20 cm.
Allegiant Airlines
Your underseat luggage should exceed 17.8 x 38.1 x 40.6 cm. Allegiant Air is relatively strict when it comes to luggage size and type. Only one personal item is allowed on board freely. The weight limit isn’t quite flexible since you only need to be able to lift and carry your bag without assistance.
American Airlines
Regardless of the personal item you choose to carry, it needs to securely fit underneath the seat in front of you. Thus, your bag shouldn’t be larger than 45 x 35 x 20 cm.
British Airways
Your bag or laptop shouldn’t exceed 45 x 36 x 20 cm, including its pockets and handles. Additionally, it should be able to fit under the seat located in front of you. However, the weight limit isn’t strict, and you are allowed to carry items that weigh up to 23 kgs.
Cathay Pacific Airways
All under seat baggage should have maximum dimensions of 56 x 36 x 23 cm and a maximum weight of 7 kg. The dimensions are pretty generous.
Delta Airlines
Delta airlines require all the passengers’ personal items to fit under the seat. So, your luggage’s size should be an item such as a laptop bag, purse, or something similar. The maximum luggage dimensions are 46 x 35 x 23 cm.
Easy Jet
You are allowed to bring all your essentials onboard. However, EasyJet’s underseat luggage size restrictions include 45 x 36 x 20 cm, including the bag’s wheels and handles. Your bag should be able to fit under the seat found in front of you.
Emirates
Economy passengers are allowed 1 carry-on baggage while first/business class passengers are allowed 2. The dimension of each carry-on luggage must not exceed 55 x 38 x 20cm, and only up to 7kgs.
Finnair
Finnair airline has a relatively strict baggage allowance. You are allowed to take luggage with maximum dimensions of 39.8 x 29.9 x 14.9 cm. Additionally, you are allowed a piece of carry-on luggage. Both the underseat and carry-on luggage should have a combined weight of 8 kg.
Frontier Airlines
Your luggage should be able to fit under the seat in front of you with a maximum dimension of 46 x 36 x 20 cm, including wheels, handles, and straps. Additionally, your luggage should not weigh more than 35 pounds
JetBlue
JetBlue’s size restrictions include an underseat bag whose dimensions aren’t larger than 43.2 x 33 x 20.32 cm, including the handles and wheels.
Lufthansa
Your personal item should be able to fit under the seat in front of you. Additionally, it should not be larger than 40 x 30 x 10 cm.
Norwegian Airlines
This airline’s underseat luggage size restrictions include one bag with maximum dimensions of 37.8 x 29.9 x 19.8 cm. Note that your underseat bag should have a maximum weight of 10 kgs. This is a relatively new policy that was implemented in 2020.
Qatar Airways
The maximum dimensions of your luggage shouldn’t be more than 50 x 37 x 25 cm and have a maximum of 7 kg. This airline allows a small carry-on bag such as a briefcase or a handbag.
Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM)
Your underseat luggage should still be able to fit in the overhead bin. It should have maximum dimensions of 55 x 25 x 35 cm and a maximum weight of 12 kgs. The measurement requirements are the same for everyone, whether you are flying Business, Economy, International, etc.
Ryanair
Ryanair allows you to carry a single personal item such as a backpack to the cabin. The cabin bag’s dimensions shouldn’t be more than 25 x 40 x 20 cm. Additionally, it shouldn’t weigh more than 10 kgs. This airline isn’t so restrictive on underseat bags, and more focus is usually put on carry-ons.
Southwest Airlines
Your underseat baggage should have dimensions only up to 25.4 x 40.64 x 60.96 cm. if your bag can’t fit under the seat, you can still put it in the cabin’s overhead compartments.
Singapore Airlines
Each checked under seat baggage must not have the sum of length, width and height exceed 62 inches (158cm).
Turkish Airlines
Your baggage needs to fit under the seat or the overhead locker comfortably. You are allowed a maximum size of 23 x 40 x 55 cm and a maximum weight of 8 kg.
United Airlines
United Airlines’ underseat luggage dimensions are 22 x 25 x 43 cm.
Wizz Air
If you plan to fly with Wizz, then you are allowed an underseat luggage measuring 40 x 30 x 20 cm and a maximum of 10 kg. This airline is very strict with its luggage dimensions; hence you should ensure that your bag is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you effectively.
Why Knowing Luggage Size Restrictions is Important?
Different airlines have different size restrictions due to plane designs. Airplanes are just like vehicles; hence they come in different sizes and shapes. Bigger planes tend to offer more luggage size options and limits/baggage allowance, while the converse is also true. Knowing these dimensions is important since it helps to eliminate the hassle and uncertainty of figuring out the maximum allowed luggage size. The availability of numerous airlines with different under-seat luggage size restrictions helps cater to different passenger needs. However, you should be aware that size restrictions might change, and it’s therefore important to keep yourself up to date.