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What size bag can I fit under an airplane seat?
All airlines allow a free ‘personal item’ that fits under the seat in front of you, with maximum dimensions usually around 45 x 35 x 20 cm. The most stringent restrictions (e.g. for Ryanair and Wizz Air) are slightly smaller at 40 x 30 x 20 cm. While some airlines may be slightly more flexible, it’s safest to stick close to these measurements to avoid extra fees.
What size cabin bag can I fit in an overhead locker?
For overhead lockers, the most common cabin bag allowance is around 55 x 40 x 20 cm, and some airlines also have a weight limit. Budget airlines may charge for a cabin bag and enforce the size or weight limits more strictly than other airlines. Sticking to these dimensions ensures your bag will fit in most overhead lockers.
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Pros
- Expandable design with clamshell opening lets you fit plenty inside
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Osprey will repair your backpack for free, for life
Cons
- Design is less sleek than some others
“I still can’t believe this backpack is within almost all airlines’ personal under-seat item limits – the thing is a black hole. I love how it zips open like a suitcase, which helps you pack efficiently and see everything at once, and it even expands to help you fit more in (though that may make it too big to fit under the seat).
“It’s incredibly well-made and durable – backed up by Osprey’s “All Mighty Guarantee” – while staying lightweight and comfy, too. The sternum strap, which can clip over your chest, makes a big difference when you’re carrying a heavy load.
“You might not get away with it on a Ryanair flight (it’s just 3 cm over), but for EasyJet, British Airways and most others, you’re golden. It looks a little more rugged than some of the other backpacks in this list – Osprey is an outdoors brand, after all – but that’s a compromise I’ll happily make for this durable and spacious bag.” Jasmine Vorley, Homes Writer
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 18D x 32W x 43H cm, expandable to 23D x 32W x 43H cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 840 g |
| Capacity | 26 litres, expandable to 32 litres |
| Features | Expandable main pocket with suitcase-style clamshell opening, two stretchy bottle holders, mini front pocket, sternum strap, top, side and bottom grab handles, 16” laptop pocket, internal mesh pocket, trolley handle pass-through |
Pros
- Great value
- Designed to max out cabin bag restrictions
- Lightweight
Cons
- No sternum strap to help distribute weight
This spacious backpack was recommended by our Books Editor, Jo Finney. “It’s amazingly roomy and has lots of compartments so it’s easy to find stuff and comfortable to carry,” she says. “It’s so good, I’ve now got several of them!”
With a little smart packing, this backpack can hold everything you need for a short trip away. The dimensions are designed to max out the cabin bag (overhead locker) restrictions for the strictest airlines – 55 x 40 x 20 cm is the most you can take on Ryanair – just don’t overstuff it if you want to fit it under the seat.
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 55 x 40 x 20 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 680 g |
| Capacity | 44 litres |
| Features | Three lockable zip compartments, document pocket, tech pocket, showerproof, compression straps, water bottle holder |
Pros
- Expandable front section
- Clamshell opening unzips like a suitcase
Cons
- Relatively heavy
“I can’t recommend Stubble & Co’s newest Hybrid backpack enough. While it’s not quite compact enough that you’d be able to stash it under a plane seat, it’s the ideal bag if you’re travelling for a long weekend and need lots of room to carry all your essentials. It has a full wrap-around zipper to open up the backpack and pack it like a suitcase, with a roomy 30 litres of space that easily beats most rivals at around this size and weight.
“The top pocket has plenty of space and is accessible both from the outside and inside for versatility, while it has a big dedicated laptop compartment for both a 16-inch laptop and a tablet. Add in the strong handles, comfortable padded straps and back panel, a luggage passthrough sleeve and water-resistant zips and I’m left struggling to think of anything missing from this capable backpack. It’s a little pricey and bulky, but definitely worth it for an all-in-one carry-on bag.” Simon Cocks, Tech Ecommerce Editor
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 31 x 50 x 19cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.5 kg |
| Capacity | 30 litres |
| Features | 16-inch laptop pocket, padded sleeve for using on wheeled luggage, bottle pocket, waterproof materials, expandable front pocket, internal organisation pockets |
Pros
- Sleek, simple design
- Great value
Cons
- Light colourways show dirt easily
If Easyjet is your budget airline of choice, this cabin backpack, recommended by GHI SEO Manager Rebecca Johnson, is a top pick.“It’s the ideal size to go under a seat on the plane, which saves me luggage costs on flights,” she explains. “The compartments make it easy to pack, it has a laptop section and an anti-theft pocket for valuables.
“It’s surprisingly roomy – I managed to fit a week’s worth of clothes, toiletries and books with ease. The adjustable straps also make it comfy to wear when travelling. I love having my hands free to hold a much-needed coffee rather than dragging a suitcase around the airport.”
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 45 x 36 x 20 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 790 g |
| Capacity | 32 litres |
| Features | Luggage straps, 180-degree opening main pocket, laptop pocket, anti-theft pocket, waterproof fabric, |
Pros
- Lightweight
- Lots of compartments to help you stay organised
Cons
- Unstructured frame – bag’s shape is determined by contents
This one is designed to fit perfectly under a Ryanair seat, which has some of the most stringent luggage requirements of all airlines – so you should be able to take it with you, whoever you fly with.
“I tested out the Manhattan 20L Backpack in black and loved it,” says Georgie D’Arcy Coles, GH cookery assistant. “I managed to pack everything I needed for a four-day trip to Barcelona into it, including two pairs of shoes!
“It has lots of compartments (a great feature to keep everything organised), a sleek laptop storage area, a side pocket for a water bottle, a zip front pocket for important items, and even a USB charging socket with a cable. This means you can attach a power bank to it inside your bag and charge your phone from the outside. Genius!
“The only downside is that I only own one of these bags and my boyfriend keeps trying to steal it for himself!”
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 40 x 20 x 25 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 500 g |
| Capacity | 20L |
| Features | Carry handle, lockable zips, front pocket, water bottle holder, USB charging pocket, tech pocket |
Pros
- Waterproof
- Roll-top means capacity is expandable
Cons
- Needs to be unclipped and unrolled to access
“This is a great multi-purpose backpack that works as well for travelling as it does for a hike in the country. It’s incredibly sturdy with wide straps that don’t cut into your shoulders (if you’re an over packer like me!) and a cushioned breathable mesh back so you won’t get sweaty carrying it around.
“There are handy side pockets for things like a water bottle, glasses or phone, a 13-inch laptop section plus plenty of brightly coloured compartments inside for organising your stuff as well as an easy access top toggle so you can get things out quickly.
“The expandable roll-top design is helpful if you want to buy a few souvenirs on your travels and even the zips are water-repellent – much-needed if the weather lets you down!” Emma Justice, Special Projects Director
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 29 x 44 x 11 cm (unrolled height: 58cm) |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1 kg |
| Capacity | 15L |
| Features | Waterproof material, luggage sleeves, chest straps, laptop compartment, side pockets, various internal pockets, |
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Huge range of colours available
Cons
- Thin, uncushioned straps
“The distinctive rectangular shape of these popular backpacks makes them well-suited to airplane travel. The dimensions mean you should be able to fit it neatly underneath the seat of even the most stringent airlines.
“My partner has travelled with this backpack on many holidays, so I’ve witnessed its suitability first hand – it’s also a good one if you want to pop a bigger bag inside your suitcase for excursions and adventures, as it packs down flat.” Hannah Mendelsohn, Homes Editor
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 38 x 27 x 13 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 220 g |
| Capacity | 16L |
| Features | Water resistant, carry handles, side pockets |
Pros
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Excellent organisation
Cons
- Doesn’t max out personal item allowance
“I love this stylishly designed backpack from Australian luggage brand July so much that I use it every day – not just for travelling. There’s a padded 16-inch compartment for your laptop, which hides it away next to your back, comfortable padded straps and a wide bucket style opening at the top.
“There’s more room inside than you think, given it looks so neat and compact, plus handy side pockets and an internal flap with a zip for valuables.” Emma Justice
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 29 x 33 x 19 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.3 kg |
| Capacity | 18 litres |
| Features | Laptop sleeve, side pockets, zipped front pocket, zipped internal pocket, luggage band |
This is another well-designed backpack from Antler. It has a great capacity and lots of pockets. When packed full, you may struggle to slip it under a budget plane seat – but if you’re careful not to overpack, then it should serve you well.
“The Antler Discovery Backpack has become my go-to for weekends away and short city breaks,” says Sleep & Wellness Editor, Priyankaa Joshi. “I’m able to fit an impressive amount of stuff inside and I love the separate compartments for keeping everything tidy. There’s even a dedicated laptop pocket, a water bottle holder, and a cord for attaching extras on like travel pillows.
“Despite how much stuff I pack inside, it’s pretty lightweight and I like the range of handles all over the backpack, making it super convenient to carry when on the go. There’s also a back sleeve that you can slot onto a suitcase handle – a feature I will make the most of on long trips. “
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 31 x 45 x 20 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.17 kg |
| Capacity | 28L |
| Features | Padded handles, water bottle holder, cord for strapping extra belongings, compression straps, laptop sleeve, lots of pockets, opens fully |
Pros
- Water resistant with a waterproof compartment inside
- Detachable front compartment
Cons
- Investment buy
“Since I started testing it, this has quickly become my favourite backpack – for commuting and travel. The rectangular shape fits easily under a plane seat and while it’s not too bulky, it still has room for everything I need, thanks to its many storage options. There’s a cushioned laptop pocket, a waterproof zip-up compartment and more, so it’s easy to organise well. The main compartment opens a fair way, too.
“If I’m being picky, I’d like a water bottle pocket, and also an additional small pocket positioned near the top of the main compartment, so it’s easier to grab my keys. There is one on the back with a magnetic clasp – I just prefer zips.
“But, that’s where the unique selling point of this rucksack comes in: its detachable front compartment. Again, there are lots of dividers inside it to keep things neat, so on days when I’m carrying more small bits and pieces than usual (like a gym day or a holiday), I attach it and everything’s nicely within reach. It adds a bit of depth to the bag, but that’s a small compromise to make.” Hannah Mendelsohn
Key specifications
| Bag dimensions | 29.21 x 41.91 x 15.24 cm |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 18L |
| Weight | 0.6 lb |
| Features | Laptop sleeve, waterproof compartment, hidden magnetic pocket, removable front pouch, trolley sleeve |
How we picked the best carry-on backpacks
Curated by the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes editor (who has reviewed countless suitcases over the years), all the bags on this list have been tried out and loved by a member of the Good Housekeeping team.
We’ve compared and listed each of their measurements, so you can check them against your airline of choice. We also looked for extra features and benefits, including pockets, laptop sleeves, and if they fit over a suitcase handle. And we assessed their overall design, so you can find your perfect travel buddy.
How to choose a travel backpack
Choosing the right travel backpack comes down to balancing capacity, comfort and the features that fit your travel style.
- Capacity and trip length: Unless you’re combining your backpack with a suitcase, get one that’s around 20-30L for weekends, 30-40L for 3-5 days, and 40-50L for longer trips. 35-45L is the sweet spot for most carry-on travel.
- Comfort and fit: Choose a bag that matches your torso length. If you’re going to be carrying a lot, look for padded shoulder straps and an adjustable sternum strap. Hip straps add maximum support.
- Airline compatibility: Stick close to 40 x 30 x 20 cm or 55 x 40 x 20 cm to meet common cabin rules, especially for stricter airlines like Ryanair.
- Opening style: Front-loading (clamshell) designs make packing and accessing items much easier than top-loading bags.
- Organisation: Look for internal pockets, a laptop sleeve, and separate compartments to keep everything tidy.
What is the best size for a travel backpack?
The best size for a travel backpack depends on how long you’re going away – and what mode of transport you’re taking.
If you’re flying with a budget airline, a bag that measures around 40 x 30 x 20 cm (roughly 20-25 litres) maximises your free ‘personal item’ allowance and will fit under the seat in front of you. If you don’t want to pay for an additional cabin bag, this could be enough for a weekend away if you pack light.
A larger backpack of about 55 x 40 x 20 cm (around 35-45 litres) will make the most of your cabin bag (overhead locker) allowance on most airlines – and you’ll be able to have an additional personal item for free. This size is better suited to trips of 3-5 days.
Jasmine is the Good Housekeeping Institute’s homes writer. With a background in design, she is committed to sorting the good products from the great –and helping Good Housekeeping readers do the same.
Throughout her career, Jasmine has written extensively about product quality, craftsmanship and sustainability, and is passionate about consumer rights. She previously worked as a writer and researcher at the product longevity platform Buy Me Once.
If she isn’t reviewing the latest gadgets for your home, you can probably find Jasmine cooking elaborate meals or crafting something weird and wonderful!
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you may go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/house-garden/g70952043/best-travel-backpack/
and if you wish to take away this text from our web site please contact us
