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5 Best personal item bags from CabinZero for every occasion
As convenient as it is, there is not much transportation that has the same level of regulations as planes. Usually, carry-on and checked baggage are more common terms that we are familiar with.
"Personal item" is another story. It is difficult enough to understand the differences between airlines, let alone pick a suitable bag.
We are here to help! The first of the article will be about regulations on the flight, and then the 5 best personal item bags from CabinZero would be listed with thorough reviews.
Of course, we hope you will like them. However, in case you don’t, we believe they are still good sources of reference.
What Is Considered A Personal Item Bag? Plus Regulations You Need To Know
With the right preparation, you can travel light and far with a positive mindset. Credit: @mbusyliving_esibitzky_
Anything that fit beneath the seat in front of you are considered personal items. They can be a bag that stores valuables such as your passport, wallet, phone, and laptop.
Most of the time, you are allowed one free personal item in addition to your carry-on. But flying low-cost carriers and coach seats means sometimes you have to make do with a personal item pack only. Generally, if your bags are within 18 x 14 x 8 inches, you are good to go. That translates to about 25-28L.
Since the regulations might be confusing, we would try to include as many airlines as possible without making the article too boring. So, here is a little personal item size cheatsheet for your convenience:
|
Airline |
Imperial (In) |
Metric (cm) |
Most suitable luggage |
|
10 x 13 x 8 |
25 x 33 x 20 |
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|
15.7 x 11.8 x 5.8 |
40 x 30 x 15 |
||
|
15.8 x 11.8 x 3.9 |
40 x 30 x 10 |
||
|
18 x 14 x 8 |
45 x 35 x 20 |
||
|
16 x 12 x 6 |
40 x 30 x 15 |
||
|
17.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 |
45 x 36 x 20 |
||
|
*Only on Business & First Class |
17.7 x 13.8 x 7.9 *Must be a briefcase or garment bag |
45 x 35 x 20 *Must be a briefcase or garment bag |
|
|
16 x 12 x 6 |
40 x 30 x 15 |
||
|
15.7 x 7.8 x 9.8 |
40 x 20 x 25 |
||
|
15.8 x 11.8 x 3.9 |
40 x 30 x 10 |
||
|
15.8 x 11.8 x 5.9 |
40 x 30 x 15 |
||
|
15.8 x 7.9 x 11.8 |
40 x 20 x 30 |
However, not all airlines give us a clear number. Instead, they will tell us that we can bring “a laptop, briefcase, handbag or purse” or items of similar sizes.
|
Airline |
What are considered personal items |
Most suitable luggage |
|
Find fitting bags now |
|
|
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Find fitting bags now |
|
*Please access the website for an extensive list. |
Find fitting bags now |
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*Please access the website for a list of free items in additional to carry on. |
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Find fitting bags now |
|
|
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*Please access the website for an extensive list. |
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*Please access the website for an extensive list. |
Is Yours Too Big?
A personal item bag must fit the space underneath the seat in front.
How strict are airlines about personal item size? If you are carrying something that is not specifically designed to be a personal item, the risk is there.
Stick to a small purse, briefcase and laptop bag if you want to be safe. But what if you want to bring a pack or a duffle bag for more storage? As long as the bags can easily fit under the seat and are not unreasonably large (even to the naked eyes), the TSA will likely let you pass.
It would be a great idea to bring the smallest one that you have if you don’t need to carry too many things. In addition, doing so helps you avoid overpacking.
The best advice is to measure and compare your intended personal item bag with the airline’s restrictions. Normally, you can find this information in the “carry-on” section on their website. Contracting the customer support or an airport help desk is another strategy.
What Features Make The Best Personal Items Bags?
Obviously, size is an important factor when selecting a personal item bag. Wh