A carry-on question

[maxiesmom]

I know most airlines limit you to one bag, and one personal item. My question is, can any bag be the personal item, as long as it fits under the seat? Would even a rolling tote be considered a personal item, as long as it goes under the seat?

How about something like this:http://www.ebags.com/product/delsey/quilted-rolling-overnighter/256557?productid=10250435

Could I use that and my rather small carry-on that goes into the overhead bin? Maybe I am over-thinking it, but I want to be sure before I go and buy something.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you can cram it under the seat, you're good. Keep in mind on some planes, under seat space can be limited by audiovisual or other equipment. Check your airline's website; they usually include measurements for carry-on items.

 

[Maleficent53]

From someone who works at an airport, I would generally say YES that would fit. However, don't over stuff it or it will puff up and become too large.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

If you are flying United the space under the seat is very small because there is a personal electrical outlet under the seat. The width under the seat is about 12" wide because of two rather large boxes under the seat.

 

[Jestocost]

If you are flying United the space under the seat is very small because there is a personal electrical outlet under the seat. The width under the seat is about 12" wide because of two rather large boxes under the seat.

This will vary widely depending on the type of aircraft and the specific seat on any given aircraft and is not true across the board. Review the seating maps available on SeatGuru.com to determine what the configuration is on the type of plane used by your airline on that route to determine if there may be something that restricts personal item stowage under the seat in front of where you are sitting.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks everyone! I did go and double check the measurements, and it should work fine on Delta and Southwest (who are the 2 major players at my local airport). I went ahead and purchased one! I'm probably the only person who gets excited purchasing luggage, lol! But at $100 off it was too good to pass up!

I just went and checked again, and I'm glad I ordered one when I did. The deal has sold out! Thanks again everyone for your help!

 

[JoeCathyAngelina]

If you are flying United the space under the seat is very small because there is a personal electrical outlet under the seat. The width under the seat is about 12" wide because of two rather large boxes under the seat.

We're (3 of us) flying United on April 13th.
We're each planning on bringing a carry on size standard Suitcase and a backpack.
Would that be too much/too big for the under seat backpacks?
Good Luck All,
Joe

 

[Jestocost]

We're (3 of us) flying United on April 13th.
We're each planning on bringing a carry on size standard Suitcase and a backpack.
Would that be too much/too big for the under seat backpacks?
Good Luck All,
Joe

You should be fine one way or another, but it's impossible to say exactly what the situation will be without knowing what type of aircraft is involved in your flight. For most full size planes you would be able to put your carry-on bags in the overhead compartments and your personal items under the seat in front of you. I fly often with a large personal item (rolling laptop bag/briefcase) and can only remember one or two times that I have had trouble fitting it under the seat. The note about power boxes under United seats is pretty random and not something I would worry about.

You should know that some flights are on smaller regional jets that do not have large enough overhead space to handle carry-on bags. Generally you would need to gate check those outside the plane when you board and pick them up outside the plane when you disembark. Even on those planes, however, I have only very rarely had an issue with the underseat storage space for personal items.

If you really want to know exactly what to expect, you'll need to check your reservation to determine the type of aircraft on which you will be flying and then go to SeatGuru.com to see how the United versions of those planes are configured and what the situation is with your specific seats.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

If you are flying United the space under the seat is very small because there is a personal electrical outlet under the seat. The width under the seat is about 12" wide because of two rather large boxes under the seat.

Not on most UA aircraft. You really need to check the configuration of your particular plane. There is plenty of room under most UA seats for a personal item; I fly UA quite frequently and there is usually more than a 12" width under the seat in front of you, except in the cases I already mentioned when AV equipment is there.

JoeCathyAngelina - a regular sized book backpack will fit fine under the seats on most planes.

 

[CourtneyL]

I bought that same bag yesterday from ebags lol. It was such a great price!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Thanks everyone! I did go and double check the measurements, and it should work fine on Delta and Southwest (who are the 2 major players at my local airport). I went ahead and purchased one! I'm probably the only person who gets excited purchasing luggage, lol! But at $100 off it was too good to pass up!

I just went and checked again, and I'm glad I ordered one when I did. The deal has sold out! Thanks again everyone for your help!

No, you're not the only one who gets excited . I have pretty much that same bag. I haven't used it yet, but I did use a similar one that did fit under the seat on either Song or jetBlue.

 

[ironz]

I have a rolling laptop bag that is slightly larger than that, and it *usually* fits under the seat.

Note: On some airlines, because of the support bar placement, there is more room under the middle and window seats, as compared to the aisle seat. So if you are a person who must sit in the aisle seat, you may give up some of the usable under seat space.


Also: in addition to electrical outlets under seats, there is also space taken up by the life jacket compartments.

Be prepared to have to squish the bag down a little, and also consider that on some planes you can fit it with the handle (top) towards you and on some planes you will need to place it sideways. When I have to put my laptop bag sideways, I pull the zippers towards me so I can get things in/out of the bag a little bit easier in the cramped space.