There is always stress involved in the packing, scheduling and planning of a trip. Even for those who have been there and done that, the logistics behind packing and the size and number of bags you will need on your trip is always a little confusing.

Most of have a tendency to overpack. By taking a moment to step back to reassess your needs and packing a little lighter will ensure that your journey runs smoothly. To make your next adventure a little easier, we’ll talk about the size requirements for carry-on luggage, and hopefully make checking your luggage at the airport a little faster, and less stressful.

How heavy can a cabin bag be?

Also called carry-on luggage, the weight limit for a cabin bag is usually around 7kg to 10kg for economy passengers. It’s always worth getting online and checking on the airlines official weight and size limits online before you start packing. Your boarding pass may also indicate the limits of carry-on luggage.

A staff member at the airport may ask to weigh or check the size of your carry-on luggage if they think it may exceed the limits. If the bag is too large or heavy, it will be checked prior to your entry to the aircraft and you will have to pay a checked-bag fee.

Personal Items vs Carry-On

The difference between carry-on luggage and personal luggage (items that you must stow under your seat) is that carry-on luggage is stored in the overhead compartments during the flight. Most people tend to have smaller carry-on bags such as duffel bags or smaller backpacks like this Nova Backpack. These bags carry essentials for the flight such as a couple of pieces of extra clothing and possibly a laptop or books for use during the flight. Carry-on luggage is not able to be accessed during the first and last 20 minutes of the flight for safety reasons, so make sure that you take out any of your must-have items prior to take-off and landing procedures.

On average, your personal items do not have a weight requirement but must be able to be stored underneath your seat on the plane. Each airline has different aircraft and therefore different space available under their seats. If you are a little confused ask the airline staff directly prior to boarding.

Carry-on bags generally need to weigh between 7kg-15kg, and around 55 x 35 x 22 cm for international flights so take that into consideration. Check online or call the airline to confirm prior to your airport visit.

International Carry-On vs Domestic

When shopping for a travel bags, you’ll find that some marked as “international” and some as “domestic.” This is because size restrictions for carry-on luggage can be stricter for international flights and less strict for domestic flights. If the carry-on is too large, you will be asked to check it in and pay the additional check-in fees. That’s why it’s important to buy a smaller carry-on if you’re planning on flying overseas. International carry-ons will usually need to be under 55 x 35 x 22 cm.

Checked Luggage Weight Restrictions and Sizes

Checked luggage comes in a range of different sizes, with a weight limit up to around 45kg – 50kg. Oversized and overweight bags will be accepted on the flight but will be labelled as “overweight” or “oversized”. There are many types of bags that people use for checked luggage, most commonly being soft-shell luggage and hard-shell luggage for international travel.

There you have it, a simple guide to personal items, carry-on bags and checked luggage that will hopefully give you some food for thought when planning for your next adventure. Check out our travel accessories for laptop sleeves and pouches. Make sure to browse our new arrivals for the latest in travel bags, backpacks and luggage.