Carry with you and personal items: What is the difference?

What is a carry-on bag?

A carry-on bag is a type of luggage designed to fit inside the bin on the top of the plane. Unlike checking your luggage, you’ve been carrying around at the airport and during your stopover. Therefore, your carry-on luggage is a great place to carry your belongings when traveling.

Carry-on luggage will be larger than your personal belongings. Your carry-on can be a suitcase, backpack, suitcase or other bag that suits the limit.

Portable size limit

Since carrying around must fit in overhead bins, airlines have very specific restrictions on their size. The limitations of carry-on sizes are usually defined by a certain height, width and depth, and your bag must fit every size.

For domestic flights within the United States, the most common size limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Some airlines, such as Border and Southwest, can allow for larger bags, but that’s a good rule of thumb.

International airlines have slightly different restrictions (because they use centimeters). 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm) is the most common size, but each airline sets its own limits.

International flights also often have strict luggage weight restrictions, so once you’re full with carry, it’s best to weigh your carry around.

Types of carry around

When you think of a carry-on suitcase, you might imagine a small rolling suitcase, but any bag can be carried around as long as it fits in the size limitations. These are some common options for carrying bags.

• Hard-edge suitcase: These are sturdy, stylish and very popular. They usually roll on four 360-degree rotator wheels and are perfect for protecting your stuff and safe.
• Soft suitcase: These are more flexible and lighter, and usually have more pockets to keep things organized. They can have two wheels (stronger) or four wheels (more hands-on).
• Travel backpack: While the rolling suitcase is convenient, nothing beats anything like a backpack anywhere. If your trip involves a lot of walking, especially on rough surfaces or up and down stairs, a backpack is a great option.
• Downhill bag: These are simple, durable and easy to pack. A duffel bag is perfect for hauling a lot of gear, but since you have to carry it with one hand or one shoulder, it is not ideal for long distances.
• Clothing bag: If you are traveling in a suit or clothing, a dedicated clothing bag ensures it reaches its destination crisp and without puncture.

How to choose a carry-on bag

If you are on the market to buy a new carry-on bag, you should first study the size limits to determine the size of your carry-on. Remember that domestic flight restrictions are different from international flights, and each airline establishes its own restrictions.

Research all the airlines you intend to fly with and choose the smallest size limit so that your bag will work for everyone.

Once you know how small your carry must be, you need to decide how to carry and move it.

Hub luggage is convenient for rolling around the airport because you don’t have to carry the weight. However, the suitcase wheel can only work on smooth paving surfaces. If your trip involves a lot of walking outside, especially on rough surfaces or up and down stairs, a backpack is a more functional option to walk anywhere.

You should also choose a bag that is easy to pack. Whether you choose a backpack, suitcase or suitcase, I recommend finding one with a flip clip or panel opening with a large zipper. This allows you to easily access all items inside, which means you can pack the package like you would put clothes in a drawer.

What are personal items?

Personal items are usually a smaller bag or all items that can be taken on board in addition to the bag you carry with you. This item should be compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

Personal items can include a wallet, backpack or laptop bag. You should use your personal belongings to store travel documents, snacks, electronics, books, and anything else you might want during the flight.

Personal item size limit

Airlines often have well-defined size restrictions on personal belongings to ensure everything in the cabin fits comfortably. Most domestic airlines based in the U.S. agree to a standard size cover of about 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

International flights usually have stricter restrictions. The most common personal item size for international flights is 15.7 x 11.8 x 3.9 inches.

Personal item type

There are many options you can use as your personal items. Likewise, almost all bags of bags can do the job as long as it fits in size limitations (not dangerous).

• Wallet or messenger bag: This is a classic choice for personal item bags. You can keep the essentials without taking up too much space.
• Travel sand back or Laptop backpack: If you can carry it a lot, a small backpack is a great choice for personal belongings. Also, once you arrive at your destination, you can use it for a day trip.
• Laptop bag or briefcase: Ideal for business travelers who need quick access to their work tools.
• Small duffel bag or tote bag: Yes, a duffel bag can be considered a personal item as long as it is within the size limit. This is a great option if you need extra clothing or toiletries.

How to choose personal items

Choosing the right personal item is all about balancing space and functionality. You want someone with everything you need, but also remember that it has to complement your main carry-on bag. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Dimension compatibility: First, make sure your personal items comply with your airline’s specific size requirements.
2. content: Consider what you intend to carry. To transport electronics, select a well-filled laptop bag or backpack. If not, a more compact, more foldable bag may be enough.
3. convenient: Consider how to manage your carry-on and personal items at the same time. Some personal items are designed with belts that can be attached to the handle of the rolling suitcase for easy transportation.

Tips for packaging your carry-on and personal items

Getting the most out of your carry-on and personal items starts with smart packaging. Each bag is applied for a specific purpose and should work together when you travel.

Here are some tips on each package and how to organize them to simplify your trip.

Your carry-on and personal belongings should complement each other

Once you have a carry-on bag, choose a personal item that you can work well with.

If you are using a carry-on backpack, you may not want your personal belongings to be a laptop backpack. How will you carry both? Instead, a small shoulder bag or even a waist bag (gasp!) would be much better.

If you use a classic wheel suitcase as a carry-on, a small backpack will be a perfect personal item as it will keep your hands free.

What to pack while carrying

Your carry-on is stored in an overhead bin, so it should contain items that you don’t need during the flight. Package unnecessary bulky items here, such as clothing, extra shoes and toiletries.

Remember that you won’t always be able to carry around during the flight, so keep whatever you might need in your personal belongings.

What are your personal items?

Packing your personal belongings during the flight requires quick access to your personal belongings such as snacks, refilled water bottles, personal entertainment equipment and chargers. This is also a great place for travel documentation, medications and extra clothing in case the plane is a little cold.

I recommend that you keep your personal items small and lightweight while everything else is packed in your carry-on. This way, you don’t take up valuable space to stretch your legs.

Use two bags to maintain weight limit

Airlines usually enforce specific weight limits on carry-on, and if your main bag exceeds the limit, you may transfer some smaller, heavier items to a laptop, hardcover book, or camera.

By doing so, you can not only reduce the weight you carry around, but also make sure you retain the most valuable property during the flight.