Roomiest carry on luggage?

[PrincessDJC]

Doing at 4 night stay soon and hoping not to check a bag. I'm in need of new carry on luggage so trying to find something with the most interior space that fits the 22x14x9 standard for carry on. I'm also not the strongest so hoping for light weight as I'm sure I'll pack it to the gills and will have trouble lifting to the overhead compartment myself. Not looking to spend a lot so the "fancy" new brands might be too much. Any advice/suggestions appreciated! TIA

 

[titojackson84]

Doing at 4 night stay soon and hoping not to check a bag. I'm in need of new carry on luggage so trying to find something with the most interior space that fits the 22x14x9 standard for carry on. I'm also not the strongest so hoping for light weight as I'm sure I'll pack it to the gills and will have trouble lifting to the overhead compartment myself. Not looking to spend a lot so the "fancy" new brands might be too much. Any advice/suggestions appreciated! TIA

Spinners can reduce the amount of storage since it’s the outer dimensions that need to be measure. I got a 2 wheeled on from LL Bean that works fine for me, but recently I’ve been using a hiking pack. It makes navigating the airport a lot easier since you have both hands free.

I’m doing a monday-saturday trip and what I’m wearing down is what I’m wearing back, then packing 3 days worth and doing laundry in the middle. Reduces what you need to bring, which reduces weight and making a pack more feasible.

 

[robinb]

I have 21” Travelpro Maxlite. I’ve used it twice. D
So far, so good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07WRS8D4H?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

 

[miksicnarf]

Can’t really answer your question about the carry-on (I’m in the market for a new one myself, but I’m willing to spend a little more to get something durable. I also pack to the max and try to avoid lifting, so whenever possible I gate check my carry-on at no charge—it’s the fee I want to avoid…I don’t mind the short wait at the baggage carousel however the bag takes more of a beating when you check it.) but I have another tip: I bought a rolling underseat bag, max size. It has a strap that fits over the handle of a larger rolling bag so I can easily manage both with one hand. By fully packing both bags (another tip: I use compression bags) I can do 2 weeks with no extra fee.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

We have carry-ons from Away and full size luggage from Samsonite. The Away carry ons which are spinner bags are amazing. They are competitively priced, you can fit a LOT in them (especially if you use packing cubes) and they come in a range of colours. I will say this, Away carry ons are fine in USA. But I've encountered several instances where I've been in Europe and have been forced to check my Away carry on as it was too big. So if you do a lot of travel to Europe this is something to keep in mind. Otherwise, I would strongly suggest Away - they also have a 100 day trial period and a lifetime warranty on breakage (e.g. wheels) so what's not to love?

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I tried Away and Monos and decided to keep the Monos for myself. I like the normal version but DON'T like the one with the laptop slot though (should have gone with my gut and returned it but I kept it too). FWIW Away just redesigned their carryon. My kids use the Brics B/Y Ulisse. My husband either uses a random old eBags 2 wheeled bag or my other Monos one. He isn't particularly picky.

I definitely second the comment on using packing cubes.

We also have at a couple of sizes of the Patagonia Black Hole duffel and also carry-on sized backpacks. They are fine for their purpose but definitely get heavy after a while.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

This is the carry on sized Monos bag that I have and like (https://monos.com/collections/carry-on-luggage/products/carry-on-plus?variant=28760036343872)

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We have carry-ons from Away and full size luggage from Samsonite. The Away carry ons which are spinner bags are amazing. They are competitively priced, you can fit a LOT in them (especially if you use packing cubes) and they come in a range of colours. I will say this, Away carry ons are fine in USA. But I've encountered several instances where I've been in Europe and have been forced to check my Away carry on as it was too big. So if you do a lot of travel to Europe this is something to keep in mind. Otherwise, I would strongly suggest Away - they also have a 100 day trial period and a lifetime warranty on breakage (e.g. wheels) so what's not to love?

Yup, I had to buy a new carry on to fit within Air France's limit for our trip we just came back on. My trusty carry on I've had since 2005 which isn't a large one really was too big.

Just keep in mind OP dimensions, that link for that 21 inch spinner (which looks like a good one TBH) actually is 23 inches and thus would be over what you're looking for. They will count the wheels, handles, etc. For that reason when I got a new smaller carry on I actually went with a 2 wheeled as opposed to a 4 wheeled one

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Not the cheapest option by I am a big fan of Travelpro soft sided luggage. I’ve had their biggest carry on for years now and it is rock solid. I have some hard sided ones too but feel I can fit more in soft sided.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

This is the carry on sized Monos bag that I have and like (https://monos.com/collections/carry-on-luggage/products/carry-on-plus?variant=28760036343872)

I have been seeing their ads on my FB feed a lot (since I travel a ton and actively research new luggage). Monos always seemed like an Away knockoff. Are they that good?

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Yup, I had to buy a new carry on to fit within Air France's limit for our trip we just came back on. My trusty carry on I've had since 2005 which isn't a large one really was too big.

Just keep in mind OP dimensions, that link for that 21 inch spinner (which looks like a good one TBH) actually is 23 inches and thus would be over what you're looking for. They will count the wheels, handles, etc. For that reason when I got a new smaller carry on I actually went with a 2 wheeled as opposed to a 4 wheeled one

Yes, OP would need the smaller size (https://monos.com/collections/carry-on-luggage/products/carry-on?variant=25396777680960). Having said that, I have traveled quite a lot with my "plus" bag and have never had an issue with it not fitting in the overhead.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I have been seeing their ads on my FB feed a lot (since I travel a ton and actively research new luggage). Monos always seemed like an Away knockoff. Are they that good?

Yes, I liked it better. Just felt like a better quality product all around. But I haven't seen the new Away bags so they may have upped their game.

I have debated buying their duffel (https://monos.com/products/metro-duffel?variant=32568039669834) - hated the look of the first version but this is better and the detachable part would be convenient for how I typically travel - but have yet to actually commit. I used something similar on a recent trip because I was hauling 2 laptops and that can get heavy quickly - and decided that I can make do with what I have.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

This is the eBags one that DH still uses and I used pre-Monos.

https://www.ebags.com/luggage/carry...XX_color=Brushed Indigo&cgid=carry-on-luggage

It often goes on sale so don't pay anywhere near full price but it is a solid bag that has served us well. If you are an over-stuffer you can get into trouble though, so something to be aware of. The hard sided ones are harder to over-pack.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Yes, OP would need the smaller size (https://monos.com/collections/carry-on-luggage/products/carry-on?variant=25396777680960). Having said that, I have traveled quite a lot with my "plus" bag and have never had an issue with it not fitting in the overhead.

Unfortunately we just saw multiple ones have issues on our flights including ours.

For one where we sat in the double decker BA plane from Heathrow to Chicago the overhead bins were actually smaller than the rest of the planes and you would have had no way of knowing in advance. The bags however were within BA's requirements though. Luckily the FA was able to find a spot for my husband's but rows up on the plane and was able to find room for someone else but had to gate check another person's.

In addition Air France both weighed our bags (personal item and carry on) and had them put in their size dimension box on our outbound flight from Chicago to Paris.

Technically that bag you linked would be too large for Air France which is 21.6 inches X 13.8 X 9.9. It'd be a close fit for their box but more than likely wouldn't have an issue in truth on the overhead bin.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Unfortunately we just saw multiple ones have issues on our flights including ours.

For one where we sat in the double decker BA plane from Heathrow to Chicago the overhead bins were actually smaller than the rest of the planes and you would have had no way of knowing in advance. The bags however were within BA's requirements though. Luckily the FA was able to find a spot for my husband's but rows up on the plane and was able to find room for someone else but had to gate check another person's.

In addition Air France both weighed our bags (personal item and carry on) and had them put in their size dimension box on our outbound flight from Chicago to Paris.

Technically that bag you linked would be too large for Air France which is 21.6 inches X 13.8 X 9.9. It'd be a close fit for their box but more than likely wouldn't have an issue in truth on the overhead bin.

Even the smaller one? Wow! Remind me not to fly Air France.
I remember having our luggage weighed in Thailand. Fortunately we hadn't gone souvenir shopping yet so we still passed. That's something I might expect on Spirit or Frontier but not a "better" airline.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It's really not the roomiest but the new one I have now if you're needing a small one is
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CBT5C4C/ref=twister_B08547YT37?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

It's pretty small only because while the full dimensions register at 21inches it's more narrow than most I think but it does have an extender like normal to make it bigger. I have the two wheeled version while my husband has the 4 wheeled one but the 4 wheeled one measures larger because of the wheels, same interior space. FWIW I packed more in there than they mention. I packed a swimming suit, two sports bras, a spare bra, three dresses, pjs, shoes, shirts, underwear, socks, etc for about 3-4 days worth.

I found the tote it came with while small actually packed a decent amount of stuff in it between the front pocket and the main pocket, then the back zipper held more than I thought.

These days I won't travel without a personal item that can attach via a strap to my carry on.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Even the smaller one? Wow! Remind me not to fly Air France.
I remember having our luggage weighed in Thailand. Fortunately we hadn't gone souvenir shopping yet so we still passed. That's something I might expect on Spirit or Frontier but not a "better" airline.

Just going by the listed dimensions of the one you linked and the allowance listed on Air France's website yeah, it's just a smidge over so honestly would likely fit in most but yeah.

We're flying Virgin Atlantic back to Europe next spring and their dimensions are about the same too with 9 x 14 x 22 inches.

It's honestly a tad annoying with luggage dimensions listed because you really want what is it with wheels and handles and most seem to either only list interior or it's not as in your face the full dimensions. Finding the perfect size inside won't help much if you're over the limit on multiple airlines unfortunately because your wheels stick out too much.

Coming from flying with SWA most of the time it was a harder than I anticipated dealing with a smaller carry on but I made do.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Most of my international travel seems to be to Germany these days. When I fly United having a US-sized carry-on is no problem. I don't think I tried carrying on with Lufthansa. This fall I need to fly up to London (EWR-MUC-LHR-EWR) so I probably should think about checking just to be safe. Flying BA to London and then to Kenya with the Patagonia Black Holes (technically not compliant either) were fine, but I don't think the FA was checking that carefully because we had them on our backs. I think FAs tend to look the other way if you are carrying an oversized backpack.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

Also as a PSA, lately I have been having trouble fitting my backpack under the seat in front of me if I'm on the aisle. Usually it isn't an issue because I'm flying with my kids (so I don't get the aisle anyway), but I have taken a 2 trips lately solo. My personal item is carry-on compliant but the plane's electronics have been getting in the way.

 

[Lord Manhammer]

Most of my international travel seems to be to Germany these days. When I fly United having a US-sized carry-on is no problem. I don't think I tried carrying on with Lufthansa. This fall I need to fly up to London (EWR-MUC-LHR-EWR) so I probably should think about checking just to be safe. Flying BA to London and then to Kenya with the Patagonia Black Holes (technically not compliant either) were fine, but I don't think the FA was checking that carefully because we had them on our backs. I think FAs tend to look the other way if you are carrying an oversized backpack.

I would definitely check with Lufthansa on this. Last fall I flew Lufthansa a bunch of times from Poland to Germany and almost every one, once I got to the gate agent to scan my boarding pass, they'd glance at my Away bag and mutter "Sie müssen die Tasche überprüfen" which means You'll need to check that bag. I didn't get charged but it added on extra time once I got to my destination to get my luggage from the carousel. Yes, these are totally first world problems, but better to be aware before you leave so you can get a smaller bag. I now have my European bags which I only take there.