Carry-on size limits, weight restrictions, and checked bag fees for 24 major airlines. Know before you pack — avoid surprise fees at the gate.
24
Airlines covered
100%
Free, no account
$200
Max gate carry-on fee
2026
Rules updated
Most major international airlines accept 55×40×23 cm (22×16×9 in) as their carry-on limit. If your bag fits these dimensions, it will be accepted on almost every airline worldwide.
55 cm
Height (22 in)
40 cm
Width (16 in)
23 cm
Depth (9 in)
Exception: Budget carriers like Ryanair (40×20×25 cm personal item, larger bag costs extra) and Spirit/Frontier (18×14×8 in free item) have smaller free limits.
Always add bags at booking, not at the gate
Gate-added bags on budget carriers (Ryanair, Spirit, Frontier) are 2–4× more expensive. Add online — it's cheaper, and sometimes dramatically so.
Carry-on 'size' is rarely enforced on all airlines
Major US carriers rarely measure carry-ons unless bins are full. Budget European carriers (Ryanair, Wizz) sometimes use metal gauge testers — especially on popular routes.
Weigh your bag before you go
A simple luggage scale ($8–12) pays for itself the first time you avoid an overweight fee. Hotels usually have scales if you're worried at checkout.
Overweight/oversize fees can exceed your ticket price
Spirit overweight fees are $100. Ryanair: €11/kg at the gate. Pack within limits — redistribute to carry-on if close to the limit.
Codeshare flights: use the operating carrier's rules
If you book on United but fly Lufthansa, Lufthansa's baggage rules apply. Always check the operating carrier — logos on your boarding pass clarify this.
Credit cards can give you free checked bags
Airlines co-branded credit cards (Delta Amex, United Explorer, Southwest Rapid Rewards) typically include 1–2 free checked bags per flight for the cardholder + companions.
Liquids rule: 100ml / 3.4oz per container in a 1L bag
Applies at every major airport worldwide (TSA, EU airports, Australian airports). Any liquids over 100ml must go in checked bags — no exceptions at security.
Medication goes in carry-on, not checked bags
Checked bags occasionally get lost. All prescription medication, especially refrigerated items, should travel in your carry-on with original prescription labels.
Oversize bag
Most airlines define oversize as a bag where the total linear dimensions (L+W+H) exceed 62 inches / 158 cm. This applies to most checked luggage. A typical large suitcase (29 in) is 78 linear inches — oversize on almost every airline.
Overweight bag
Standard checked bag limit is 23 kg (50 lbs) for economy. 51–70 lbs (23–32 kg): typically $100–200 fee. 71–100 lbs (32–45 kg): $200–400. Over 100 lbs: not accepted as checked baggage on most airlines.
Disclaimer: Baggage rules change frequently and vary by fare class, route, and frequent flyer status. Always verify current rules on the airline's official website before packing. NostosRoute is not liable for fees incurred based on outdated information shown here.
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