Photo by American Green Travel on UnsplashA bag sold as “22-inch” needs measuring before you fly. Check the full outside dimensions and your booking separately: a bag can be the right size without having guaranteed space in the cabin.
Which bag goes where?
The American Airlines carry-on page, checked September 21, 2026, allows one carry-on and one personal item. The carry-on must fit the airport sizer and the overhead bin or space under the seat. Handles and wheels count toward its dimensions. Some aircraft and airports have additional restrictions.
| Bag | Published inches | Published centimetres |
|---|---|---|
| Carry-on | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 56 × 36 × 23 cm |
| Personal item | 18 × 14 × 8 in | 45 × 35 × 20 cm |
Basic Economy includes a carry-on and personal item. Its later boarding can leave less overhead space. Check your reservation for checked-bag benefits, which depend on the trip and eligibility; a carry-on allowance does not establish a free checked-bag allowance.
Measure before buying a replacement
- Pack the bag as you intend to travel, including items in outside pockets.
- Measure the outer height, width and depth, including wheels, handles and any bulge. Record each side and its unit.
- Compare all three dimensions with the correct category above. A total of three sides does not replace American’s per-side carry-on limits.
- Check each operating carrier on a connection. A previous airline’s acceptance is not a promise for the next flight.
Expansion example: if an expansion zip changes a case from 22 × 14 × 9 to 22 × 14 × 11 inches, the depth is now 2 inches over. Expansion commonly affects depth; it does not automatically turn a 22-inch-tall case into a 24-inch-tall case. Re-measure the actual bag.
Category example: a measured 22 × 14 × 9-inch suitcase matches the carry-on dimensions but exceeds the personal-item limits. It cannot be reclassified as a personal item just because it contains little clothing.
The published centimetres are rounded. Do not use a rounded conversion as extra packing tolerance, or assume a bag described as “international cabin approved” will fit. The product’s outside measurements and the packed shape matter more than its name.
When the bag needs checking
Label the bag and keep travel documents accessible. Before handing it over, tell airline staff about batteries and items requiring special handling and follow the airline’s packing instructions. Use the checked-baggage policy and your booking for fees and weight allowance. A special-item exception, such as a garment bag, needs its own policy check.
Finish your bag checks
Use these temporary ticks as a reminder in this tab. Save actual dimensions and the airline’s allowance with your booking.
Other airline guides
- Southwest Airlines carry-on guide
- Frontier Airlines carry-on guide
- Air Canada carry-on guide
- JetBlue carry-on guide
- United Airlines carry-on guide
- Delta Air Lines carry-on guide
- Korean Air carry-on guide
Related pages on TripPack
- All eight airlines in one table — cabin bags, personal items and fare conditions side by side.
- Carry-on packing list — what to actually put in the bag once you know it fits.
- How to measure a carry-on bag — where to hold the tape.
- Baggage weight limits explained.