Luggage for carry-on and checked travel
Compare carry-on and checked bags by size, airline fit, and how they handle the parts of a trip beyond the airport.
Choose luggage by how you’ll travel and what you need to carry. A carry-on needs to fit the size limit for your flight and be manageable in the cabin. A checked bag gives you more room to pack, but you’ll need to hand it over before boarding and collect it after the flight. Check the bag’s measurements, including wheels and handles, against your airline’s rules for your booking. Don’t rely on the carry-on or cabin-bag label alone: size limits can differ by airline and ticket.
Use the comparisons in this section to narrow your choice by bag size and how you expect to move it. If you want to keep your luggage with you, start with carry-on options and check the applicable cabin limit before you buy. If you need more capacity or don’t mind checking a bag, compare checked options. Think about where you’ll take the bag, too: wheels may be less useful on stairs or cobbled streets, and a heavy bag can be harder to lift into an overhead bin. Confirm your allowance for the flight before packing.
