Carry on luggage

[Hidden_Mickey]

So, we haven't flown in a few years. I measured all our luggage to make sure it fits within the sizes our airline recomments. How do you measure it? Include the wheels & handle, or just the body of the bag? One of our carry on pieces is just a little bit over size, but I am including the wheels & handle. I am afraid to put important stuff in it only to be told at the gate it will have to be checked because it is one inch too large! What do you think? Will it be OK? What has your experience been?

 

[bettymae1121]

It's length + width + height, add that together and the total should be less than the total allowed linear inches posted on your airlines website (not all airlines are the same, check yours!) Watch the length though, anything over about 22 inches and the overhead bin might not close, if that happens you may have to gate check your bag. If you have roller bags and the wheels extend out further than the bag, count the wheels in your measurement.

You do get some wiggle room on the size, they don't check that closely. As long as the bag isn't so long that it won't let the bin close (they want you to put the bag in so that the wheels are at the back of the bin and the handles are towards the door of the bin, they fit more bags that way) they usually don't look that closely. My bag was two inches over the limit (1 inch too high and one inch too wide) but because the lenght was okay, the bin closed and it worked out fine.

ETA: If you're really worried, you are allowed one personal item along with one carry on, the personal item can be just about anything as long as it can fit under the seat in front of you. This includes small overnight bags, backpacks, large purses, etc. You can pack valuable/fagile items in a small backpack/overnight bag and if you do have to check your bag because it's too big, you can still keep the valuable stuff with you on the flight.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

You have to count the wheels and handles in measurement. However, it has been my experience that people bring luggage that is larger than the limits. I have never seen anyone turned away. I have never had them measure my carryons (which are always within the limit.)

My mother in law always brings too large of luggage, and when I mention it she says they never measure anyways. She travels at least 2 times per year. Usually on Spirit or Delta. Sometimes southwest.

 

[NHdisneylover]

As stated above you have to count the wheels and handles. It is RARE to see people turned away (especially if they are very close) but it DOES happen. It can even happen (mostly on smaller aircraft) that you have to gate check perfectly allowable items as you board if the overhead bins are full. Items small enough to fit under the seat are pretty much the only way to be really safe from that possibility.

 

[goofy4tink]

If there is a lot of carryon luggage on board, and the overhead bins get full, the FAs will go through and check on how the bags have been put in. If someone's bag didn't fit in, wheels first, and they had to stow it sideways, the FA could tell them to gate check that bag. It isn't fair for someone to take up multiple slots with just one bag.

It can really be an issue if the plane is of the '2 seats, 3 seats' design. The overhead bins above those two seats isn't nearly as deep as other bins...many bags don't fit, not even 'legal' sized bags.