Carry On Suitcase

Travelling for the first time in many years. I will not be checking luggage so I need a decent rolling bag that will fit in the overhead compartment. Airline measurements and luggage company measurements seem not to coincide. Do the wheels count in the overall length? Are there bags where the wheels are removable thus providing an acceptable fit? Are the airline guidelines super precise?

If you are a frequent "carry on" traveler what do you use for a 7 day casual trip?

TIA

I purchased this last year, and I've used it half a dozen times, very pleased with the amount of stuff it holds and its maneuverability and weight. No problem with it as a carry-on with US airlines, but I believe it's too large for some of the European budget ones. (it's $$ so wait for a sale if you can.)

https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/82300254/expedition-22-duffel-2.0

(edited to add: also get a set of packing cubes, super helpful to organize and make the most of the space)

In my experience, the airlines roll a dice each day to determine what the carry on dimensions for that day will be.

Worst. Carry On film. Ever.

ridski said:

Worst. Carry On film. Ever.

The useless 20th-century trivia that’s embedded in my brain: The thread title immediately made me think of the films, too, and I haven’t even seen any.

I think that the "standard" wheeled cases that are rated as "carry-on" do fit in the overhead bins in most domestic planes OR (for the smaller regional jets or if there are too many carry-on bags for a particular flight) the airlines will "gate-check" them at no charge and you typically retrieve the bag right as you disembark, such as in the jetway just outside the airplane door, rather than at baggage claim. 

Also, the cheapest fares (called "Basic Economy" on United for example) do not allow you to put a bag in the overhead bin, so you are only allowed to take a "personal item" (smaller bag or purse) that goes under the seat in front of you. The fare difference for Basic Economy vs regular Economy has never seemed worth it to me, especially since they also do not allow you to preassign seats and possibly have some other limitations. 

Many international carriers have slightly smaller maximum dimensions (about an inch less in each dimension) for carry-on baggage AND seem to enforce those limits as well as fairly stringent weight limits more strictly than the domestic carriers, in my experience. 

The domestic carriers have weight limits (70lb?) on checked bags but I'm not aware of any weight limits for carry-on, just whatever you can manage yourself. 

sac said:

The domestic carriers have weight limits (70lb?) on checked bags but I'm not aware of any weight limits for carry-on, just whatever you can manage yourself. 

I believe it is 50 lbs. At least with United, it is. 

Wirecutter is reliable in their recommendations of just about everything. Here is one of carry on suitcases. Warning, they are not cheap:

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-carry-on-luggage/

it sounds like you don't fly often; if this is a one-time thing, maybe just borrow a bag? As noted above, a good travel bag can be pricey (sucks when a cheapo bag breaks halfway thru your trip)

rhw said:

Do the wheels count in the overall length? Are there bags where the wheels are removable thus providing an acceptable fit?

I’d count the wheels. You’ll be stowing the bag in the overhead compartment wheel-end first, where their contribution to the bag’s length will be a material fact. And even if wheels are removable, do you really want to be fiddling with them in the aisle, holding up the passengers behind you, to remove them?

I bought a carry-on travel suitcase from Amazon Basics several years ago.  I've beat the crap out of it and it's still going strong.  It has wheels, hard sides, and is expandable. I think it's 20".  Highly recommend, it was very affordable.

Wheels count towards the dimensions. My advice is follow the "official" dimension requirements when buying a bag. It will make your life much easier once you are trying to get your bag into an overhead space.  You wouldn't believe what some people try to fit on a plane.

I don't think there are weight limits to carry-on bags--you just need to be able to hoist it into the overhead.

Most carry-on bags are at or smaller than 22" x 14" x 9".  There are some Amazon Prime deals like this one going on now--I use mine often regardless of mode of transport.  https://www.amazon.com/LUGGEX-Luggage-22x14x9-Airline-Approved/dp/B0BY2C6V1T

I believe that some of the European airlines have weight limits for carry-on bags.

Steve said:

I believe that some of the European airlines have weight limits for carry-on bags.

You are correct sir:  

sac said:

I think that the "standard" wheeled cases that are rated as "carry-on" do fit in the overhead bins in most domestic planes OR (for the smaller regional jets or if there are too many carry-on bags for a particular flight) the airlines will "gate-check" them at no charge and you typically retrieve the bag right as you disembark, such as in the jetway just outside the airplane door, rather than at baggage claim. 

Also, the cheapest fares (called "Basic Economy" on United for example) do not allow you to put a bag in the overhead bin, so you are only allowed to take a "personal item" (smaller bag or purse) that goes under the seat in front of you. The fare difference for Basic Economy vs regular Economy has never seemed worth it to me, especially since they also do not allow you to preassign seats and possibly have some other limitations. 

Many international carriers have slightly smaller maximum dimensions (about an inch less in each dimension) for carry-on baggage AND seem to enforce those limits as well as fairly stringent weight limits more strictly than the domestic carriers, in my experience. 

The domestic carriers have weight limits (70lb?) on checked bags but I'm not aware of any weight limits for carry-on, just whatever you can manage yourself. 

Hi sac. I've done with recently with Alaska Air where they ask for volunteers to check their bags. But no you cannot pick it up after landing at the "disembark" area. I still picked it up at the checked baggage carousel as with the other checked bags.

bak said:

You are correct sir:  

Yes! I just flew Norse Air and the carry-on (which I was charged for) weight limit was 22 pounds. Bizarrely, my personal bag was not weighed, so heavier stuff went in there until I got to the gate. Silly. 

Carry on up the Khyber…and follow that camel.