Under-seat Carry-on?

[karly05]

Any tips on finding a "carry-on" bag that will fit under a normal airline seat? Doesn't have to be an official "suitcase" - I'm actually looking/thinking more along the lines of a backpack or handbag/totebag-type thing. Something soft into which I could pack a change of clothes, pjs, essentials, while I check my big bag for ME to deal with.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I carry the Vera Bradley Miller bag. It is fairly large, but still fits under the seat. It has lots of pockets inside that I love and an outside pocket to hold my boarding pass. It also zips. I use it a lot when I travel and love it.

 

[bumbershoot]

So many things work for that! You just want it unstructured, in case it needs to squish a bit.

I love buying my bags from ricksteves.com, and looking there I see this new bag. I would definitely think about using that. He doesn't sell it anymore, but I love the Avanti bag I got for under-seat bag use.

Apart from the ones that are 21" long or rollerbags, just about any of the bags in the Rick Steves travel store can be squished under the seat, in my experience.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Any tips on finding a "carry-on" bag that will fit under a normal airline seat? Doesn't have to be an official "suitcase" - I'm actually looking/thinking more along the lines of a backpack or handbag/totebag-type thing. Something soft into which I could pack a change of clothes, pjs, essentials, while I check my big bag for ME to deal with.

You don't want an "official" suitcase, because that won't fit under the seat. The alternatives you suggest should all work fine under the seat.

 

[siskaren]

I use my backpack as my only carry-on and it fits under the seat just fine.

 

[karly05]

Thanks for all the replies.

Bumbershoot, I like the looks of the Rick Steves bags (Amazon and ebags still show the Avanti flight bag, which looks similar to the new one you linked to). I will keep those in mind.

 

[buckirj1]

I use a smallish top-zip duffle bag. You can cram a ton of stuff in there, and it easily fits under the seat.

 

[pooch]

They are very large and will squish. Should start seeing them pretty cheap soon.

 

[shoes99]

You don't want an "official" suitcase, because that won't fit under the seat. The alternatives you suggest should all work fine under the seat.

Last month I was flying on Delta. I was on the aisle and a Mom and daughter got on after me. They both had 20" carry onroller suitcases and I was about to move aside to let them put them up in the bins. The said no, and brought the suitcases under the seat in front of them, and they stuck out and covered their foot space entirely. They then put their feet over the bags and smiled at me.
The flight crew said nothing to them about blocking the aisle.
I know on Continental they will check your feet space and tell you to remove the bag. I was surprised. I always make sure my aisle foot space is clear.

 

[SaraJayne]

I use a Vera Bradley small duffel as a carry-on. It works great and fits everything I need, as well as being "squishable" if necessary.

 

[Mom2aJessieGirl]

Last month I was flying on Delta. I was on the aisle and a Mom and daughter got on after me. They both had 20" carry onroller suitcases and I was about to move aside to let them put them up in the bins. The said no, and brought the suitcases under the seat in front of them, and they stuck out and covered their foot space entirely. They then put their feet over the bags and smiled at me.
The flight crew said nothing to them about blocking the aisle.
I know on Continental they will check your feet space and tell you to remove the bag. I was surprised. I always make sure my aisle foot space is clear.

I've never seen a Delta flight attendant allow folks to do that. They are usually pretty strict about stuff in the floor...I know! I would LOVE to have a "foot prop" to help straighten out my back!

For an "under seat" carry-on bag, I usually use my Vera Bradley Get Carried Away Tote. Awesome Organizational pockets!

 

[goofy4tink]

Last month I was flying on Delta. I was on the aisle and a Mom and daughter got on after me. They both had 20" carry onroller suitcases and I was about to move aside to let them put them up in the bins. The said no, and brought the suitcases under the seat in front of them, and they stuck out and covered their foot space entirely. They then put their feet over the bags and smiled at me.
The flight crew said nothing to them about blocking the aisle.
I know on Continental they will check your feet space and tell you to remove the bag. I was surprised. I always make sure my aisle foot space is clear.

I've never seen a FA allow that!! I have always seen them stop and tell passengers that the entire bag must fit completely under the seat, so please push those straps in!!!

I use my Vera Bradly large backpack...fits perfectly under the seat..and I can get a fair amount of 'stuff' in there.

 

[eangel12]

I haven't flown in a while...will a Vera Bradley weekender fit under the seat?? I need something to carry stuff for my toddler and then the stuff for me as well!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Last month I was flying on Delta. I was on the aisle and a Mom and daughter got on after me. They both had 20" carry onroller suitcases and I was about to move aside to let them put them up in the bins. The said no, and brought the suitcases under the seat in front of them, and they stuck out and covered their foot space entirely. They then put their feet over the bags and smiled at me.
The flight crew said nothing to them about blocking the aisle.
I know on Continental they will check your feet space and tell you to remove the bag. I was surprised. I always make sure my aisle foot space is clear.

The flight attendants should not have allowed this. It is unsafe and not allowed. I'm surprised they didn't say anything.

I haven't flown in a while...will a Vera Bradley weekender fit under the seat?

It should fit. You may have to squish it down a bit.