
Post Last Modified – November 16, 2025 ¦ gr8traveltips.com
📖 Certain products/services may have affiliate links where I may receive a commission. 🍜
🚫 There is no cost to you whatsoever. 🚫
Carry On Baggage Restrictions For Air Travel
I would imagine most of you are like me, always trying to keep up with the ever changing …
🧳 Airline Carry On Baggage Restrictions
❓ Just what are we allowed to carry on planes these days, and what’s not allowed ❓
Have you been one of the unfortunate victims of Carry On Item Confiscation at the 🛂 airport security line? Is it perhaps you were not quite aware of what you were allowed to carry in that 👜 bag in the first place? 🤨
Well relax, you are definitely not alone!
There are strict rules for carry on that you should be aware of before travel, and these rules keep changing almost daily. Below, are a few more commonplace things that are allowed and what is not acceptable, to pack in your 💼 carry on baggage.
You certainly do not want necessary travel items confiscated at the airport security.
First, have a quick look at this short 📹 video from Airfarewatchdog, on airline carry on restrictions. Some changes to Carry On Rules, that just keep on coming!
Carry On Luggage Size Limit | Airfarewatchdog
As you can see from this video, people are still trying to bring restricted items onto airplanes in 📦 Box Loads!
It is expensive to check your 🧳 luggage these days, if you travel economy class like we normally have to. That’s why more and more people have chosen to carry their luggage onto the plane these days, for convenience and to help save money.
As result, many airlines are now charging for your carry on item when traveling basic economy. There’s simply no room left in the overhead bins any more!
So if do bring your carry on onboard with you, it’s even more important to know what the 🚥 restrictions are for your chosen airline, and and to get through security screening at the airport.
Know beforehand, what you can put into those 🎒 bags you are bringing on board.
Check-In Baggage Restrictions Traveling By Air
❓ What can I take on board my flight that is acceptable ❓
Have you had that expensive can of body spray, perfume or even your nail clippers taken from you?
We have and it is frustrating to watch that pricey can of body spray for example, taken from your bag and thrown into a big barrel by airport security. 🤨 Yet and as shown in the video above, barrels of items are confiscated out of carry on bags every day at 🧭 airports worldwide.
A big reason is because people are still unsure of what they can or cannot take on board an ✈ airplane. I’m going to share a few of the more common items you can and cannot bring onboard, just as a refresher.
Here goes, but remember, things are always changing!
Most major airlines did allow each passenger to take; 🧳 two pieces of carry on luggage. This and as mostly recently has changed. As mentioned, if you’re traveling basic economy, if you want that carry on luggage, most airlines are now 💰 charging for that convenience.
As well, be aware of the Maximum Allowable Hand Luggage Size, as there are new size limitation restrictions now in force with most major airlines.
Usually the second item is a; laptop with case, large camera case, large purse of some sort and/or duty–free purchases.
Carry On Luggage Size Restrictions
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
Items Must Fit Under The Seat – Or In the Storage Locker Above
Be sure to check with your chosen airline prior to departure, for their specific rules and regulations regarding carry on baggage. Most major airlines have these post on their official websites.
Update
Each airline sets their own rules for cabin bag size allowance. With most airlines these days, the total length, width and height measurements should not exceed; 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high.
This includes wheels and handles.
Airlines are always changing their rules for carry on items, so be sure to double check prior to travel with your airline. If check in and your bag is too big to carry on, you will be charged a checked bag fee!
You should always put your; wallets, cash, personal identification, travel documents and any other valuables into your allowable carry on. Never have these items leave your possession, while in transit.
🚥 Do Not put any of the above listed items in your checked baggage! 🚥
While we’re talking about air travel, be sure to check out my latest post here on …
a shocking realization of theft that is now unfortunately, a common occurrence taking place on flights.
Rules For Carry On Bags
Children May Take Their Own Carry On Baggage On Board
Children may also have their own personal carry on bags. With most major airlines now charging a fee for checked baggage, it’s easy to see why carry on is becoming more and more popular.
Pack light with only the things you {Will Use} on your trip, and you will soon discover the convenience of not having to endure those lengthy waits at the airport luggage turn styles. For short trips and if my ticket does allow for carry on without an extra charge, I always avoid checking my bag whenever possible.

Because more and more people are not checking their luggage, we are finding that announcements are regularly made at the gate, prior to boarding. Airline staff are asking people to check their carry on, as there is not enough room onboard the aircraft. 🙁
Carry On Baggage – Airline Fluid Limits
For those passengers with infants or small children, diaper bags, strollers with limitations and special needs items are usually allowed, in addition to your normal allowance. Again, be sure to check with each individual airline prior to departure.
100 ml (3.4 oz) is the maximum allowable container size for liquids or gels in your carry on luggage. As well, these containers must be displayed in clear plastic bags, for easy viewing at airport security checkpoints.
This helps security lines run faster and prevents you from having your bag inspected as well.
It appears there may be some new changes to liquid or gel restrictions in the works, with new technology being introduced.
Stay tuned!
Carry On Luggage Regulations Tip:
Ziplock or 🥪 sandwich bags work great for this and come in handy for many other uses as well when traveling!
Most stores now have specific isles set aside for typical toiletries and so forth, that are within the legal rules and sizes for carry on. These items include; soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, deodorants, shaving cream, beauty products and so on, very convenient for those short journeys.
Items Not Allowed On Planes
Typical prohibited items include those; sharp, piercing or cutting objects for obvious security reasons. Such typical items include:
🚥 Razor blades and/or straight razors
🚥 Knives of any length or size {see below for update}
🚥 Box cutters, hatchets
🚥 Tools such as; screwdrivers, drills, saws
🚥 Sports items like darts, skates, fishing tackle and boxes, crossbows and arrows and such.
Rules For Carry On Bags Update:
It was announced few seasons ago, that sharp tipped ✂ scissors and small pocket knives are now allowed in your carry-on luggage.
❓Really❓
Again, it’s always best to check before your flight, to confirm if this strange rule is still in effect. Better yet, don’t pack it in your carry on to be safe.
Here is the general restriction allowance for this item …
Sharp-tipped scissors and small pocket knives with blades measuring 6 cm (2.4 in) or less, and all round-tipped scissors
There are also medical exceptions for syringes and needles that are accompanied with printed prescriptions.
There are a couple of excellent travel information resource sites, with some very useful advice for North American traveler’s in regards to this topic. I have included 2 of them below to check out.
👮 Transport Security Administration 👮
🍁 CATSA 🍁
🚥 Transportation Security Administration 🚥
Acceptable Food Allowed To Be Carried On The Aircraft
Now that most airlines are charging for meals in 💺 Economy Class, more and more people are choosing to bring their own meals and/or snacks on board with them. I know we do, but haven’t always known just was is acceptable, and what’s not.
Below, is a short list of the more common carry on food items, that are permitted to be taken onto the aircraft. You can bring solid food in both carry on and checked baggage. Examples of solid food products include;
meat, bread, fruits, vegetables, sandwiches, chips, cookies, cakes, muffins, granola bars, hard candies, cheese, nuts, crackers, chocolate bars and other similar food items.
With a little pre-travel planning and knowing what you can bring onboard with you, will save you time, money and frustration at airport security.
Carry On Rules Always Changing
Numerous major airlines have made changes to carry-on luggage restrictions, you should now expect to be 🛑 stopped at the boarding gate, for having; over sized carry on luggage.
That large carry on you’re used to bringing on board, may be checked and tagged at the gate. I’ve personally seen this happen on more than one occasion now.
🧳 As mentioned above, luggage sizes are starting to reduce in size from {51 linear inches}, down to {45 linear inches}. Check with your airline before travel to avoid unexpected surprises.
Carry On Bag Regulations Update:
The carry on bag dilemma continues. I know I continue to be frustrated with those overhead luggage bin hogs! 🐷
Airlines are working to try to solve this now, very serious issue. On a flight we took a short while ago, there was a representative from the airline, checking large carry-on luggage. She was actually doing this, just prior to us stepping onto the aircraft from the ramp.
I think it’s a great idea in many cases, as we’ve personally seen people bring way too much carry on with them onboard. They’re leaving no room in the overhead compartments for other paying passengers.
As well, the ✈ International Air Transport Association has suggested a maximum size limit legislation for all airlines. Just in case and for those of you looking at purchasing new baggage, I would try to stick within their suggested limits.
🧳 “Suitcase with the maximum dimensions of {21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches} would be an optimum size” 🧳
So there you have it!
Be sure to check with your individual carrier on what their limitations are and remember, carry on item restrictions seem to be changing at a moments notice!
Carry On Baggage Regulations Update
The International Air Transport Association published guidelines for “smart luggage”. These types of bags will need to have removable 🔋 batteries, in order to be checked in the cargo hold.

Image courtesy of the European Aviation Safety Agency
Airlines are now requiring you to always keep your lithium batteries with you in your carry-on baggage. They are no longer allowed in your checked luggage.
In trying to keep up with the ever changing carry on luggage rules, I’ve included a ⛓ link below to a very reputable website. I have directed the ⛓ link to their page, that outlines some updated carry on size rules.

Travel+Leisure – Carry On Size Guide
I received this update a while back from a well respected travel professional in the U.S. on airline carry on restrictions.
😎 Safe and Healthy Travels! 😎
All personal 📸 photographs on this post are the property of gr8traveltips.com and are copyright protected.
🚫 Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. 🚫
If you have any updated information to pass on, please do send me an email 📧 Contact Me 📧 and I will be sure to add it to this post. 🧐
✨ Did You Know …
🕵 Charge Electronics Before International Flights
✈ Airplane Travel Tips & Etiquette
👮 Airport Travel Security Screening Tips
© 2025, All Rights Reserved ¦ gr8traveltips.com
















