Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item on Airlines?

So is a duffle bag a personal item on airlines? and can you take a big duffle bag with you onboard without being caught?

For most airlines a personal item is a small bag that fits easily under the seat in front of you. When you travel with your duffle bag, be sure that it is within the airline personal item size, the standard size is 18 x 14 x 8 inches / 45 x 35 x 20 cm.

If your duffle meets the size requirements of  the airline it will surely be counted as a personal item, here is what a 17 x 14 x 7 inch bag looks like.

This post will answer all your inquiries about taking a duffel bag as a personal item since airlines have different carry on baggage rules.

Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item on Airlines-1
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What Is A Personal Item On Airlines?

A personal item or a personal object, is the item or bag that you take with you on the airplane and place it underneath the seat in front of yours.

Each airlines describe it in a different way, here is some Major airline personal item definition:

  1. American Airlines: “Your personal item like a purse or small handbag must fit under the seat in front of you”
  2. United Airlines: “Shoulder bag, purse, laptop bag or other small item.”
  3. Delta: “One carry-on bag and one personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) per passenger.”
  4. Air Canada: “a standard personal article the will fit under the sat in front of you”
  5. British Airways:”Place your smaller cabin bag with the yellow tag under the seat in front of you”
  6. Qantas:”In addition to your carry-on baggage allowance, you may also carry onboard one small personal  item such as a handbag, laptop computer, overcoat, small camera, a reasonable amount of reading material or a small amount of duty free goods (where permitted)”.
  7. Cathay Pacific Airways: “One small item aboard the aircraft fit under the seat in the front: small handbags, laptop bags, small backpacks, camera bags, briefcases.”

What size should your duffle bag be to be considered a personal item?

What is the standard size for a personal item?

Almost all major airlines’ standard personal item sizes are close, as they take into consideration their partner airlines regulations.

The main thing you should always keep in mind if you want to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag as a personal item is “shall it fit under the seat?“.

Here is some of the airline that specified their personal items size:

  • American Airlines: Must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm).
  • United Airlines:Your personal item should fit underneath the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 43 centimeters).
  • Delta Airlines: One personal item free of charge, such as a purse or laptop bag or item of similar size.
  • Jetblue: Must fit under the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 17″ L (43.2 cm) x 13″ W (33 cm) x 8″ H (20.32 cm).
  • Spirit Airlines: Dimensions must not exceed 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels.    
  • Air Canada: Your personal item should fit underneath the seat in front of you. Dimensions should not exceed 13 in x 6 in x 7 in / 33 cm x 16 cm x 43 cm

What size carry on bag can be?

Carry on luggage sizing rules differ from airline to other. However, choosing a carry-on bag with these dimensions ( 22″ x 14″ x 9″ ) will fit with almost with any airline.

Here is some airline carry on size regulations:

  • Air Canada: 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm) including handles and wheels
  • American: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
  • Qantas: = 22” x 14” x 9” ( 56 x 36 x 23cm)
  • Spirit: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm) including handles and wheels
  • United: 17 x 10 x 9 inches (43 x 25 x 22 cm)
  • British Airways: 16 x 12 x 6 inches ( 40 x 30 x 15cm )
  • Lufthansa: 15 x 11 x 3.9 inches (40 x 30 x 10 cm)

The carry-on luggage sizes above are quietly different,some airlines have personal items bigger than some of the carry-on of other airlines.

For example Southwest Airlines have a personal item size (18.5 x 8.5 x 13.5 inches) bigger than Lufthansa carry on bag(15 x 11 x 3.9 inches).

Can You Use a Duffel Bag as a Personal item?

Yes, a duffle bag can be counted as a personal item.

But you will need to use a small or an adjustable duffle that can fit perfectly under the seat in front of you.

Store your personal item under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin if you don’t have a carry on bag. 

However most Basic tickets do not have a carry on allowance like United and American Airlines basic economy you are only allowed to have a personal item.

As with carry on luggage, the more discreet your personal item is, the less likely it is to draw the attention of the gate agent. Keep it small, slim, and inconspicuous. 

As always, your best bet is to pack as light as possible.

Other Items you can take in addition of your personal item

In addition to your personal item, and the carry on bag, most airlines allows the following necessary items on board and free of charge:

  • a Coat, jacket, or hat
  • Umbrella
  • Pillow or blanket
  • Book or newspaper
  • Food or drinks purchased after clearing security
  • FAA-approved safety seat, stroller, and diaper bag for lap or ticketed child
  • Assistive devices for passengers such as wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, braces, portable oxygen concentrators, and CPAP machines
  • Duty-free merchandise
  • A foot rug for use during prayer
  • Pet carrier

Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item? passengers thoughts

is a duffle bag a personal item united?

Bri asked the United Airlines about her duffle bag if it will be allowed as a personal item, and the airline confirmed that if it fits under the seat it will be allowed without a problem.

Is a duffle bag a personal item spirit?

Is a duffle bag a personal item Frontier?

Is a duffle bag a personal item delta?

Is a duffle bag a personal item American Airlines?

Conclusion: Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item?

You can take a duffle as a personal item with most airlines if it is within the allowed size and weight regulations.

And to ensure you don’t have to pay for carry-on baggage fees, or cause your bag to be checked in, it’s important that your carry-on baggage complies with the airline requirements of carriage. .