Is a Backpack Considered a Carry-On?
QUICK ANSWER
Whether a backpack is considered a carry-on depends on its size. A small or medium backpack that fits under the seat counts as your personal item, while a large travel backpack that goes in the overhead bin counts as your carry-on. Airlines classify bags by size, not type.
Travelers often ask whether a backpack counts as a carry-on, and the answer hinges entirely on size rather than the fact that it is a backpack. Here is how a backpack is classified, when it counts as a personal item versus a carry-on, and whether you can bring one alongside another bag.
Is a backpack considered a carry-on?
It depends on the backpack's size, because airlines classify cabin bags by their dimensions, not by what type of bag they are. A small to medium backpack that fits under the seat in front of you is considered a personal item, not a carry-on. A large backpack that is too big to fit under the seat, and must go in the overhead bin, is considered a carry-on. So the very same word, backpack, can land in either category depending on how big the bag is and where it stows. This is why there is no single yes-or-no answer: measure your backpack and compare it to your airline's limits to know which it is.
When does a backpack count as a personal item?
A backpack counts as a personal item when it is small enough to fit fully under the seat in front of you, typically within about 18 by 14 by 8 inches, though the exact limit varies by airline. Everyday daypacks, school backpacks, and most laptop backpacks fall into this category, so they ride at your feet as your personal item, leaving your carry-on allowance free for a separate bag. Keep in mind that a soft backpack's size depends on how full it is, so an overstuffed pack that bulges past the under-seat limit could be bumped up to carry-on status. Packed reasonably, a normal backpack is your personal item.
When does a backpack count as a carry-on?
A backpack counts as a carry-on when it is large enough that it must go in the overhead bin rather than under the seat, generally meaning it is within carry-on dimensions of roughly 22 by 14 by 9 inches but too big to be a personal item. Large travel backpacks, hiking packs, and 40-liter-and-up bags typically fall here. Many travel backpacks are actually designed to serve as your one carry-on, sized to meet cabin limits. If your backpack is your carry-on, then on a standard fare you could still bring a smaller personal item too, but you could not bring a separate carry-on suitcase in addition to it.
Can you bring a backpack plus another bag?
Yes, on most standard fares, as long as the sizes work out. The typical allowance is one carry-on for the overhead bin plus one personal item under the seat. If your backpack is small enough to be the personal item, you can bring it plus a carry-on suitcase. If your backpack is large and serves as your carry-on, you can add a small personal item like a purse or laptop bag, but not a second carry-on. What you cannot do is bring two overhead-sized bags for free. The key is that only one of your bags can be carry-on sized; the other must fit under the seat. Basic economy may allow only the personal item, so check your fare.
A backpack is considered a carry-on only when it is too big to fit under the seat and must go in the overhead bin; a smaller backpack that fits underneath counts as your personal item. Since airlines judge by size, measure your pack against their limits, and remember only one of your cabin bags can be carry-on sized.
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