Carry-on bag dimensions

[Josh Hendy]

DKs just got new, small suitcases which I measured ... they're just exactly at the carry-on limit of 9 x 14 x 22 inches. Are the airlines really picky and eager to disqualify carry-on bags if they're like, 1/2 inch over spec due to handles, straps, bulging, etc.? I'm guessing that the bag manufacturer built it that size specifically to meet the limit and that everything will be cool, but wanted to check with the professionals (which would be you all).

The small bags are Tracker brand and the airlines are Continental and United, if that makes any difference.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It depends on the airline (note not all airlines have the same dimensions for carry-ons either), you should be fine with Continental or United, but some carriers like AirTran are notorious for measuring and will include the maximum size of the bag, which will include, collapsed handles, wheels and bulges.

 

[NotUrsula]

To be absolutely sure that it would always be "legal" (well, for the probable life of the bag, anyway) on all US carriers, I wouldn't go with anything larger than 20 inches.

I'm kind of expecting that any time now, the new standard is going to be that wheeled bags must fit wheels-in to be allowed in the overhead. Some 22" bags won't. (Well, most won't if you are dealing with a commuter jet, but it's pretty common for those to require that anything larger than a laptop bag be gate-checked anyway.)`

 

[Josh Hendy]

To be absolutely sure that it would always be "legal" (well, for the probable life of the bag, anyway) on all US carriers, I wouldn't go with anything larger than 20 inches.

I'm kind of expecting that any time now, the new standard is going to be that wheeled bags must fit wheels-in to be allowed in the overhead. Some 22" bags won't. (Well, most won't if you are dealing with a commuter jet, but it's pretty common for those to require that anything larger than a laptop bag be gate-checked anyway.)`

Good point about the commuter jet. I think we're on an Embraer for the first leg of the outbound trip. If they make you check a carry-on at the gate, do they charge the checked bag fee? And if they gate-check it, is it processed through to the destination as a checked bag or do you pick it up before you get on the next flight?

We need to try to figure this out beforehand. We'll either pack 1 big bag for the adults and pack each DK with a near-max carryon and pay 1 checked bag fee, or if we think DKs will have to check their bags and pay the fee we might as well save trouble and expense by bringing 2 big checked bags.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Good point about the commuter jet. I think we're on an Embraer for the first leg of the outbound trip. If they make you check a carry-on at the gate, do they charge the checked bag fee? And if they gate-check it, is it processed through to the destination as a checked bag or do you pick it up before you get on the next flight?

Gate checked bags do not currently incur a fee (hedging here because who knows if this will change in the future). You will be required to leave your bag on the jetway (or tarmac on smaller planes) and they will be loaded onto the plane. Then when you deboard you'll need to wait to pick up your bag to bring it with you, it will not automatically transfer.