Family Travel Bag Guide

Understanding Airline Rules for Carry-On Bags

Before you start packing, and even before purchasing your airline tickets, it's important to familiarize yourself with the rules regarding carry-on bags. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows travelers to bring one carry-on bag that fits in the overhead compartment, as well as a personal item that must be placed under the seat in front of you. A purse, a laptop bag, a diaper bag, or a small backpack would typically qualify as a personal item.

In addition to these FAA regulations, each airline may have its own specific rules. It’s crucial to check their website for size restrictions and weight limits for carry-ons. These rules can vary depending on the type of fare you choose. For international travel, carry-on rules, weight limits, and size restrictions might differ, so it's essential to verify them as well. Some international airlines have more stringent guidelines for overhead luggage.

Most airlines provide a carry-on size checker at the check-in desk to help ensure your bag meets the requirements. However, it's advisable to check the size and weight of your luggage before arriving at the airport to avoid last-minute repacking or unexpected fees. Consider investing in a portable scale to weigh your bag at home.

Some airlines, like Southwest, include two carry-on bags in the price of an airline ticket. Others, such as JetBlue, offer basic economy fares that do not include overhead space but also have fares that do. On the other hand, airlines like Frontier charge an additional fee for any carry-on items in the overhead bin for all fares. It's important to understand what is included in your ticket and whether you will incur extra charges at the airport.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and FAA also have rules about what can be included in your carry-on bag. Currently, travelers are limited to a one-quart, clear bag filled with liquids, gels, creams, pastes, or aerosols that are 3.4 ounces or less. This rule does not apply to checked bags and excludes medication or food/milk for babies. You can find more TSA rules on their official website.

If your child is in a stroller, you can bring it to the plane and leave it on the jetbridge. FAA-approved car seats can also be brought on the plane, though some passengers choose to check them instead.

Wondering if you can take a backpack and a carry-on? In general, you may be allowed to use a backpack if it is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. Larger backpacks that don’t fit under the seat will count as your main carry-on.

Choosing a Carry-On Bag

Once you understand the carry-on bag sizing rules, you can begin shopping for the right bag. There are many options from various luggage brands, depending on your preferences.

When I travel with just carry-on luggage, I prefer a roller bag for the overhead bin and either a backpack or a small duffel under the seat in front of me. If I check bags, I usually bring a larger duffel for the overhead (for essential items) and a purse under the seat in front of me.

I have a few different roller bags that I recommend as my top picks. Away Luggage is a popular brand known for its trendy designs. They offer hard-sided luggage that includes a small laundry bag for dirty laundry and a compression pad that helps you pack more items. They also make smart bags with an included charger that can be removed if you have to check the bag.

Away bags come in beautiful colors and feature a hard shell and spinner wheels. They also offer Flex bags with a softer shell. (Use this link for a $40 discount Away code).

Another carry-on bag that I love is the Hideo Wakamatsu Tarpaulin bag. We have both the carry-on and full-sized luggage. These soft-sided bags fit a lot of stuff and are also water-resistant. They are lightweight, making it easier to pack more items. I feel these are some of the best carry-on luggage options, though they aren't as popular.

Beis also offers stylish, functional roller suitcases, including some that can be used as carry-on bags. I love their Weekender Bags, and the smaller size can be used as a personal item. They also have great wheeled bags with trendy colors. On occasion, they also have collaborations with popular movies and entertainment brands.

There are various duffles popular for travel. Lo & Sons and Dagne Dover (in addition to Away) both make duffel bags and backpacks designed specifically for travel. Look for something that you can slide over the top of your suitcase's handle so you don't have to carry it, or something with a shoulder strap.

I don't always have pockets, but I like to have my phone readily available. I use a Bandolier case with a crossbody strap to make things easier. I also use a small toiletry bag to store solid makeup and for small items. Front pockets on a roller suitcase can be helpful if you want to have easy access to things like your travel documents.

How to Pack Your Carry-On Bag

How you pack your carry-on bag(s) will depend on whether you also bring checked bags. If they are the only bags you'll have, you'll need to be more thoughtful about how you pack them.

If you are checking bags, you'll want to put your valuables and anything you need in your carry-on. Some things you can't or won't want to check, including hazardous items and lithium batteries. You can see some specific guidelines and items here, but keep in mind this may not be a complete list.

Be sure to pack everything you'll need for the flight, including for your children. This includes diapers/supplies, changes of clothes, medications, entertainment, retainers, etc. I put anything I need on the flight in the personal item so that I don't have to go into the overhead during the flight.

When packing for an entire trip in carry-on bags, you'll probably need to squeeze a lot into them. I find that rolling my clothes helps save space and keeps things from getting wrinkled. Packing cubes is also another way to save space—and you can roll the clothes you place in them.

For toiletries, I like to keep a packed bag filled with them available at all times. That way, I am always ready to go. You can purchase refillable containers and use your own larger sizes to fill them. My favorites are the capsules from Cadence.

Even if you keep a packed bag, you'll still want to look through the bag and make sure that nothing is expired. You can also check to see if you are running low on anything before you go so you have enough for your vacation.

I also keep a bag packed with my power cords. Because many planes now have power outlets at the seats, it's a good idea to keep these in your carry-on bag. I also always have a fully charged portable charger with me (note: some older Away bags came with a portable charger but these have to be removed if you check your bag).

Amazon sells TSA-approved clear toiletry bags, refillable containers, and packing cubes.

Tips for Bringing On Carry-On Baggage

Here are some additional things to remember when packing your carry-on baggage.

Even if your bags meet the specific size requirements, they may still not fit in the overhead bin on smaller, regional planes. In that case, your bags will be taken from you and often delivered to the jet bridge rather than to baggage claim.

In addition, carry-on bags are sometimes taken from you if there is no more space in the overheads. This is more likely to happen if you are boarding later. If this happens, make sure your travel documents and other essentials (like medications) are packed in your free personal item (the one that goes under your seat).

If you are in one of the front rows by the bulkhead with no seat under you, you'll have to put all your bags in the overhead bin. You'll be able to have them in front of you during the flight, but not for take-off and landing.

Remember that you'll need to carry your bags through the airport. Sometimes, I like to check bags just because I don't want to lug all of my belongings through a flight connection.

Carry-on bags can be lost, too. I've had this happen twice when the overheads were full and my bags were taken. Because of this, I always ensure that all valuables, including medications, are in my personal item - even if I have paid for a ticket that includes a carry-on bag).

If you bring a personal item that holds a lot of things, you can travel "carry-on only" (without checking a bag) more easily. Here are our favorite personal item bags.

Once my kids were old enough, I started having them pack and bring their own carry-on bags. We always checked them before we left, but they would pack them. They'd include books, headphones, stuffed animals, and electronic devices.

More Packing Tips Resources

Looking for more packing tips and recommendations? Here are all of our posts including packing lists, product recommendations, and ideas for specific trips.