Preparing Your Carry-on Luggage

Carry on luggage, otherwise known as cabin baggage or hand luggage, is a particular type of luggage that air passengers can carry with them all throughout their travel. This is different from those items to be stored inside the cargo compartment. However, there are limits set in terms of weight and size before one can carry a luggage inside the passenger compartment. In order to make travel a more convenient experience, it is good to know the supposed carry on luggage dimensions.

Dimensions of Carry On Luggage

The International Air Transport Association or IATA is a major organization that established certain guidelines governing carry on luggage amongst airlines, which are actually non-mandatory. The airlines still have the power to implement their very own set of rules for handling baggage. Based on the guidelines set by IATA, this type of luggage must not exceed the depth of 25 centimeters or 10 inches, the width of 45 centimeters or 18 inches and the length of 56 centimeters or 22 inches. In general, the sum of these measurements must not surpass the limit of 115 centimeters or 45 inches. Side pockets, handles and wheels must fit inside these limits.

Many low-cost airlines implement their very own set of rules. For instance, only bags measuring 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters by 20 centimeters or less are allowed inside their commercial flights. In terms of weight, this type of luggage must not exceed the range of 5 kilograms to 12 kilograms. For Virgin Atlantic, only one bag is allowed, which must weigh no more than 6 kilograms and must measure 56 centimeters by 36 centimeters by 23 centimeters or less. For RyanAir, only one bag is also allowed, but the weigh limit is 10 kilograms or less, and must measure 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters by 20 centimeters.

Other notable airlines have their own particular rules concerning hand luggage. For instance, British Airways only allows one bag, which must be 56 centimeters by 45 centimeters by 25 centimeters or less. Austrian Airlines allows hand luggage of up to 8 kilograms, with the measurements 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters by 23 centimeters. For Air Berlin, a single bag is aloud as long as it fits the required maximum limit of 55 centimeters by 40 centimeters by 20 centimeters.

Additional Information and Other Highly Interesting Details

Aside from air transport passengers, flight attendants as well as commercial airline pilots are required to follow these all-important guidelines. On September 21, 2006, the British Airports Authority decided to change the limit to 56 centimeters by 45 centimeters by 25 centimeters.