What size carry-on actually fits (and which airlines charge for it)
Carry-on size limits differ by airline, and some airlines charge for a cabin bag at all. Here's the size that works almost everywhere and where the traps are.
What our data says
We track baggage rules for 118 airlines on this site. Of those, 41 publish an overweight charge, averaging $72 and reaching $200 at Jeju Air. The most common checked-bag weight limit is 23 kg, and 22 of the airlines we track charge for a full-size cabin bag on their cheapest fare (averaging $33).
These figures are recalculated from our airline pages whenever the site is rebuilt — they are not estimates.
One size clears almost everything
The most widely accepted carry-on size is 55 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in), including handles and wheels. Airlines vary by a centimetre or two either way, but a bag at or under this clears the majority of the 118 airlines we track.
Two things matter more than the headline number. First, handles and wheels count— a bag advertised as “cabin size” is often measured without them. Second, soft-sided bags survive a gate sizer; hard shells do not compress by even a centimetre.
The real trap is not size at all — it is fare class. 22 of the airlines we track do not include a full-size cabin bag on their cheapest fare, no matter how well it fits.
Airlines that charge for a cabin bag
| Airline | Cabin bag charge |
|---|---|
| Volotea | $70 |
| Transavia | $65 |
| Volaris | $42 |
| Sun Country Airlines | $40 |
| Porter Airlines | $37 |
| Flair Airlines | $36 |
| Breeze Airways | $32 |
| PLAY | $32 |
On these airlines the bag itself is not the problem — the fare is. Check the airline page before assuming your cabin bag is included.
Fees change often and vary by route, fare type, and date — the figures above are calculated from our airline pages and are a guide, not a quote. Always confirm on the airline's official site before you travel.