Why don't all airlines list personal item size restrictions?

[mikegood2]

Just booked a flight on United yesterday and am trying to figure out what the personal item size restrictions are. The site list a personal items as a briefcase, garment bag, laptop computer, purse or small backpack, but their does not list dimensions and I called them without success. I don't want to bringing a bag that is 9" in one dimension only to find out that that dimension cannot exceed 8".

I am planning on using the personal item bag to hold items I don't want out of my site and store under my seat. So probably my DSLR with 2 lenses, possibly a flash, (possibly in a small photo bag within the personal bag) my point and shoot camera, iPad and probably a few cables chargers, etc.

I understand that they do not want to give out maximum dimension that passengers will try to get as close to as possible, but wouldn't those dimensions be useful to the passengers?

Airlines that I came across that do list sizes:
American - may not exceed 36 inches and must fit under the seat
AirTran - must not exceed 17” long + 12” wide + 8.5” tall

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

I know we always travel down to WDW with our Lowepro Micro Trekker (basically a camera backpack) which has our DSLR, three or four lenses and our P&S. In addition I take a small purse with me in which I keep my wallet, passport, iPod and headphones. I've never had a problem putting both under the seat in front of me but I think it all depends on what size of plane you are on ... on the larger jets I don't think it's really that big of a problem, but on some of the smaller regional jets (CRJs), where space is at a premium, size does matter. Our "personal items" have never been measured, and I would think as long as it fits in front of the seat in front of you you'll be OK.

 

[ironz]

Agree with the PP....might vary based on size of plane. But I bet what you are taking should fit. I travel for business and carry a laptop bag similar to this:
http://www.ebags.com/product/ebags-...-laptop-overnighter/204796?productid=10110415

In most larger planes (737s and similar) it fits under the seat in front of me as long as I am in the window or middle seat. The space under the aisle seat is narrower in some planes. In smaller planes like regional jets, sometimes it fits, sometimes not. I may have to turn it one way or another to make it fit, and I usually can't have much in the front-most pockets.

The other thing that I don't think there's much info out there for is how much 'hardware' is under that seat in front of you to take up space...that includes the seat framework, underseat safety items like life vests, and any power ports.

So that may be why you can't find good measurements.
But the amount of stuff you are talking about should be pretty good on all but the smaller planes.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Just booked a flight on United yesterday and am trying to figure out what the personal item size restrictions are.

It would be impossible for United to give an underseat measurement, because they fly so many different planes with varying configurations. Underseat space can also vary depending on whether or not there is equipment under your seat or even if you are in an aisle or a middle seat (aisles can have less space).

Usually a regular sized purse, medium backpack, or a small laptop bag will fit under most seats. If you can't make it fit, you need to put it in the overhead bin.

 

[Tecbot]

these are west jets carry-on limits i have flown united with same bag that was around this size lots.

55 cm x 23 cm x 40 cm

(21.5 in. x 9 in. x 15.5 in.)

10 kg

(22 lb.)

kinda annoying when airline doesnt list it also helps if you know what type of aircraft you are flying on also sometimes it has specs on the plane layout and measurements.

 

[mikegood2]

Thanks for the responses.

It will be 4 of us flying from O'hare on a Airbus A320. We will be 4 across, so we will have a window, middle, isle and I will be in across in the other isle seat.

Does anyone know if you could take an item or two out of the personal bag if it doesn't fit under the seat. My came a bag is about 8"W, 6"D and 8" high. Could I pull that bag and my iPad out for under the seat, then store the bag in the overhead?

It would be impossible for United to give an underseat measurement, because they fly so many different planes with varying configurations. Underseat space can also vary depending on whether or not there is equipment under your seat or even if you are in an aisle or a middle seat (aisles can have less space).

Usually a regular sized purse, medium backpack, or a small laptop bag will fit under most seats. If you can't make it fit, you need to put it in the overhead bin.

Thanks cyberspace, I guess I didn't think about that. Still some type of guideline, or a description of how high the average seats are would be nice.

 

[DebbieB]

If you have 2 bags, one is supposed to go under the seat. If everyone is on the plane and have stored their bags, if there's still room you can put the second bag in the overhead.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Does anyone know if you could take an item or two out of the personal bag if it doesn't fit under the seat. My came a bag is about 8"W, 6"D and 8" high. Could I pull that bag and my iPad out for under the seat, then store the bag in the overhead?

Of course, this would be fine. Although the measurements you provided look like this item will fit under most seats.

 

[mikegood2]

If you have 2 bags, one is supposed to go under the seat. If everyone is on the plane and have stored their bags, if there's still room you can put the second bag in the overhead.

Thanks DebbieB, I plan on storing my carryon in the overhead and my personal bag under the seat. The only way I would store the the personal in the overhead is if it didn't fit under the seat. That's why I was looking for the personal bag size restrictions.

Of course, this would be fine. Although the measurements you provided look like this item will fit under most seats.

Sorry cyberspace, I should have listed the size of the bag I have that I was thinking about using for the personal bag. I have to check, but think it's 15"x10"x6"(or 7") or slightly larger. The other dimensions were for the camera bag I would put inside. I also may purchase a new bag (for personal) and want to be safe with the size.

 

[mikegood2]

these are west jets carry-on limits i have flown united with same bag that was around this size lots.

55 cm x 23 cm x 40 cm

(21.5 in. x 9 in. x 15.5 in.)

10 kg

(22 lb.)

kinda annoying when airline doesnt list it also helps if you know what type of aircraft you are flying on also sometimes it has specs on the plane layout and measurements.

Those dimensions are kind of strange. Hopefully they aren't real sticklers with the measurements because a lot of carryons are 22"x9"x14".

Flying on an United Airbus A320. Will have to see if I can find underseat info online.

 

[bumbershoot]

I have been able to fit a bag I have that's 14'' L x 12'' H x 7'' W under every seat I've flown in. And still had room for more stuff like stuffing my jacket there.

I had a backpack on a flight last night, there are a TON of pockets, and it stuck halfway under. So I moved the stuff from a front (top, when trying to put it under the seat) into the main pocket, it dropped the "height" (would be depth when carrying it) just enough, and it fit just fine. And I still could have put my jacket there. And that was on Virgin America, where they have lifevests under the seats, plus probably lots of electronics and such under there.