Luggage sizes & airline rules
What airlines allow on board and in the hold, how to measure a bag the way they do, and the published sizes of every set we sell.
How to measure
- Height: floor to the top of the handle with the handle pushed all the way down. Include the wheels.
- Width: side to side across the front, including side handles.
- Depth: front to back with the expansion zipper closed, including pockets and feet.
- Linear inches (for checked bags) = height + width + depth.
- Airlines measure the bag as it is, with wheels and handles. Some brands list the shell size only, which can be an inch shorter.
Our sets at a glance
Published outside sizes for each set, checked against the standard US carry-on size (22 × 14 × 9) and the larger Southwest/Frontier size (24 × 16 × 10).
| Set | Carry-on | 22×14×9 | 24×16×10 | Checked | Under 62"? | Weights |
|---|
Carry-on limits
Maximum size for the overhead-bin bag, including wheels and handles. Most US airlines don't weigh carry-ons; many international ones do.
| Airline | Inches | Centimeters | Notes |
|---|
Personal items
The free bag that goes under the seat in front of you, like a backpack or tote. On some basic fares it's the only free bag.
| Airline | Inches | Notes |
|---|
Checked bags
US airlines allow up to 62 linear inches (height + width + depth) for a standard checked bag. Over that, or over the weight limit, oversize/overweight fees apply.
| Airline | Max size | Weight limit | Notes |
|---|
Tips
- Keep the expansion zipper closed when you carry on. Expanded, most bags are 1.5–2" too deep for the sizer.
- Spinner wheels add height. A "22-inch" bag is often 22.5–23" with wheels. Check our measured numbers, not the name.
- Softside bags give a little. A fabric carry-on that's a fraction of an inch over usually squeezes into the sizer; hardside doesn't.
- Large checked bags fill up fast. A 28–30" bag can pass 50 lb when packed full. A cheap luggage scale saves fees.
- Basic and budget fares differ. United Basic Economy and most Spirit, Frontier and Sun Country fares include only a personal item; the carry-on costs extra.
- Rules change. Always check your airline's site before you fly.
Sources
Airline limits compiled October 2026 from the guides below and checked against each airline's own page where listed (Nov 5, 2026). Set measurements are the manufacturer's or Costco's published figures unless we note we measured them ourselves. Delsey Paris Hardside, Precision DLX 2 and iPack sizes are from their boxes; Candlewood from the maker's tag; Benetton × Delsey UCB, the Samsonite Element XLT 2.0 and the Ricardo checked bag we measured with wheels and handles included.
- Carry-On Size and Weight by Airline (2026), AirlineBaggagePolicy.com, checked Oct 21, 2026
- Carry-On Sizes by Airline: US Domestic (2026), Monos, Aug 31, 2026
- Checked Luggage Size Chart & Allowances, Upgraded Points, updated Aug 12, 2026
- Carry-On Baggage, Delta (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Carry-on bags, United (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Carry-on luggage, Alaska Airlines (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Bag calculator, JetBlue (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Carryon and Personal Item Policy, Southwest (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Bag options, Frontier (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Cabin baggage, British Airways (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Hand baggage allowance, KLM (airline's own page), checked Nov 5, 2026
- Delsey Paris 2-Piece Hardside Set (Costco #1872216), Warehouse Runner
- Calpak Evry 8-Piece Bundle, Costco; Evry Carry-On, Calpak
- American Tourister Upturn 10-Piece Set (Costco #1985295), Warehouse Runner
- Samsonite Epsilon NXT 2-Piece Set (Costco #1306502), Frugal Hotspot; Luggage Factory
- Delsey Paris Accelerate 2-Piece Set, Slickdeals (Costco listing details); Costco Australia (capacity)
- Samsonite Precision DLX 2-Piece Set, Costco