Duffle bags are one of the most popular bags that make your travelling experience more exciting. They are compact and roomy at the same time, making them perfect for carrying all your belongings without being too bulky. However, while travelling on an airline, many travellers ask, “Is a duffle bag considered a carry-on or personal item?”
Read on if you also want to learn whether you can bring your duffle bag on the plane as a carry-on or personal item. In this blog post, we’ll explore everything you need to know about duffle bags and air travel.
Is a Duffel Bag Considered a Carry-on or Personal Item?
This question is not as straightforward as it may seem. The answer depends on the specific airline policies you’re travelling with and the size of the duffle bag.
Duffle bags are an excellent fit for personal items as well as carry-on bags, as they are smaller than traditional luggage. You can keep a duffle bag under the seat in front of you or the overhead bin. Its unique design prevents items from shifting around and becoming wrinkled or damaged.
Generally, most airlines allow you to bring a duffle bag as a carry-on item if it meets their size restrictions. If an airline does have size restrictions for carry-on luggage, they will usually allow you to bring a duffle bag as a personal item.
What’s the Difference Between a Carry-on and a Personal Item on an Airline?
Carry-on items are luggage you take with you on the plane and store in the overhead bin. In contrast, personal items are smaller items that you can keep under the seat in front of you. It includes a laptop backpack, purse, or small duffle bag. If you want a backpack that can accommodate your two laptops, check out our Top 10 Best Dual Laptop Backpack To Buy In 2022.
Almost every airline has a certain size and weight limit for carry-on and personal items. So, if you’re planning on keeping your duffle bag as a personal item, go through the specific policies of the airline you’re travelling with.
If you don’t know the size restrictions of the airline you’re travelling with, the general rule is to take a duffle bag that can fit under the seat in front of you if you take it as a personal item. On the other hand, if you want to take it as a carry-on item, then make sure you can conveniently carry it, and it can fit in the overhead bin.
Taking your luggage bag as a personal item or carry-on has several benefits. For instance, if you’re taking a duffle bag as a carry-on item, you won’t have to worry about waiting for the baggage claim after your flight. Moreover, most airlines don’t charge extra fees for taking a duffle bag as a personal item or carry-on. So, you can save some money by not checking in your duffle bag.
What is the Right Size for Taking Duffle Bag as a Carry-On?
The size of the duffle bag to be carried as a carry-on bag can vary from one airline to another. Most airlines recommend taking a duffle bag no bigger than 45L or 22x14x9 inches. Make sure to check the size of the duffle bag when you go to buy it so that you don’t have to face any inconvenience later on. Check out our Top 10 Best American-Made Leather Duffle Bags To Buy In 2022 to explore stylish and durable duffle bags.
Airlines that allow a duffel bag to be used as a personal item or as a carry-on
Several airlines allow passengers to bring a duffle bag as a personal item or carry-on. Most of them have different size restrictions for duffle bags. However, most of them allow a duffle bag with dimensions more or less 22 x 14 x 9 inches.
Let’s have a look at some major airlines that allow duffle bags:
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines allows you to bring a duffle bag as a personal item or carry-on. If you are taking your duffle bag as a carry-on, its dimensions must not exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches. In the case of linear inches, your duffle bag should not be more than 45 inches.
On the other hand, if you want to take your duffle bag as a personal item, its size must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. In addition, make sure your bag is not too heavy to be carried as a personal item or in the overhead bin.
Allegiant Air
This airline allows you to carry a small duffle bag as a personal item. However, the dimensions of the duffle bag must not exceed 15 x 16 x 7 inches. You don’t have to pay any charges for carrying a small duffle bag as your personal item. However, if you want to take a duffle bag larger than the specified limit, you can carry it as a carry-on bag by paying an additional fee.
American Airlines
Like Alaska Airlines, American Airlines also allows you to bring a duffle bag as your personal item or carry-on. The size limit for a carry-on duffle bag is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. While if you want to take your duffle bag as a personal item, make sure its size shouldn’t exceed 8 x 14 x 18.
In addition, your bag should also be small enough to fit the sizer at the airport. Moreover, it should be able to fit under the seat or in the overhead bin.
Delta Airlines
Delta Airlines allows passengers to take personal items and carry-on bags without charges. However, the size limit for a carry-on duffle bag is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. It should be easily adjustable under the seat if you want to take your duffle bag as a personal item.
Frontier Airlines
This airline allows you to bring a duffle bag as your personal item or carry-on without any charges. The size limit for the duffle bag is 22x14x8 inches in case of a carry-on duffle bag. For taking a duffle bag as a free personal item, its dimensions must not exceed 8 x 18 x 14 inches.
Hawaiian Airlines
This airline also allows you to bring a duffle bag as a personal item and a carry-on without any charges. The weight limit for a carry-on duffle bag must be 25 lbs. Your bag should fit easily in the overhead bin or under the seat.
JetBlue Airways
Like most other airlines, JetBlue Airways also allows you to bring a small duffle bag as your carry-on bag or personal item. However, Blue Basic Fares customers can’t take the duffle bag as a personal item. They are only allowed to take small backpacks, laptops or purses as personal items.
The size limit for a carry-on duffle bag is 22x14x9 inches. The size limit for the personal item is 17x13x8 inches.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest Airlines also allows you to bring a small duffle bag as your personal item, as well as a carry-on bag. The dimensions of your carry-on bag must be equal to or less than 24 x 16 x 10 inches. These dimensions are required for conveniently accommodating the bag in the overhead bin or under the seat.
Spirit Airlines
Book your seat with this airline if you want to take a duffel bag as a carry-on and personal item. It should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches for carrying the duffle bag as a personal item. For taking it as a carry-on, its dimensions must be 22 x 18 x 10 inches.
United Airlines
You can take a duffel bag as a personal item or carry-on on this airline. Its size limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches for carrying a duffle bag as a carry-on. If you want to take your duffle bag as a personal item, make sure its size falls under 9 x 10 x 17 inches.
If you opt for Basic Economy, you’ll only be allowed to bring one small personal item on board. So, a duffle bag won’t be considered a personal item in this case.
Virgin Atlantic
This airline also allows you to bring a small duffle bag as your carry-on. The size limit for the carry-on duffle bag must be 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Furthermore, the duffle bag should be light enough, so you can easily lift it and place it in the overhead locker.
Benefits of Using Duffle Bags for Air Travels
Duffle bags are a great option for air travel as they are usually smaller and lighter than traditional suitcases. They also tend to be more versatile and easier to carry.
- Carry-on bags and personal items might cost you extra if they exceed the size or weight limit set by the airline. Duffle bags are often smaller and lighter, so they can help you avoid these fees.
- Duffle bags are also easier to carry than larger suitcases. They often have multiple handles and strap options, which makes them more comfortable to carry through the airport.
- In addition, their compact structure enables you to avoid unnecessary load on your shoulders and back. It offers plenty of room to store all your essentials without being too bulky or heavy.
- The flexibility of duffle bags also makes them ideal for short trips or long vacations. You can easily pack and unpack them, which can be easily stored when not in use. You can also take them with you on a plane, train or car without the hassle.
- Moreover, duffle bags are available in various sizes, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. You can also find them in multiple colors and styles to match your personality and taste.
Conclusion
As the question “Is a Duffel Bag Considered a Carry-on or Personal Item?” is concerned, the answer is both. Take your duffle bag as a carry-on or personal item and enjoy its multiple benefits during air travel.
So, if you are looking for a versatile and convenient bag for your next trip, a duffle bag is a great option. Before packing your duffle bag, check the size and weight limits your airline sets. Buy a unique and durable duffle bag and have a safe journey.
FAQs
Is a duffel bag a carry-on or personal item?
You can take your duffle bag as a carry-on or personal item on most airlines. However, check the size and weight limits set by your airline before packing your duffle bag.
Can I bring a carry-on and duffel bag on a plane?
You can bring a carry-on and duffel bag on a plane as long as the size and weight of your luggage fall within limits set by the airline. Also, ensure it fits in the overhead bin.
What size duffel is a carry-on?
The size of the duffle bag allowed as a carry-on varies from airline to airline. However, most airlines enable duffle bags with dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches or smaller.
