Airline Underseater Regulations

Underseat luggage rules vary more than many travellers expect.

The permitted size depends on the airline, ticket type and sometimes the aircraft configuration.

This guide compares published personal item allowances that are designed to fit fully under the seat in front of you.

On most airlines, an underseat bag is classed as your personal item. On some low cost fares, it may be the only item included in your ticket.

Airlines can amend baggage policies at any time. Always check your airline’s official baggage page before travelling.

Title

What is an underseater bag?

An underseater bag is a compact suitcase, backpack or holdall designed to slide under the seat in front of you in the aircraft cabin.

They are ideal for:

Short trips and city breaks
Essentials only travel
Business travel with laptops and documents
Flights where only a personal item is included

On most airlines, an underseater bag is classified as a personal item rather than a standard cabin suitcase and must comply with the airline’s published underseat dimensions.

Title

Most Commonly Accepted Underseat Size

Underseat size limits are typically smaller than standard cabin baggage allowances. Some airlines publish specific maximum dimensions, while others simply state that the bag must fit fully under the seat in front of you.

Typical underseat bag allowances published by many airlines fall within the following ranges:

40 × 30 × 15 cm
40 × 30 × 20 cm
45 × 35 × 20 cm

These dimensions are commonly designed to fit beneath the aircraft seat in front of you.

A commonly accepted underseat size across many European carriers is 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Airlines including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM and Virgin Atlantic publish limits close to this size.

Passengers travelling with multiple airlines may wish to choose luggage within this smaller range to reduce the risk of size issues when switching between carriers.

Low cost airlines frequently carry out size checks at the boarding gate using baggage sizer frames. Bags that exceed the permitted dimensions may be required to travel in the hold and additional charges may apply.

Full service airlines may focus primarily on whether the bag fits beneath the seat, but enforcement policies vary by carrier.

Underseat storage space varies depending on aircraft type and seat configuration. Bulkhead and exit row seats often do not provide underseat storage during taxi, take off or landing.

Title

Airline underseater size guide

The table below lists published personal item allowances. All dimensions shown are maximum external measurements and include wheels and handles.

The symbol “—” indicates that the airline does not publish a specific underseat size and instead requires the bag to fit under the seat.

Airline A-D

Airline	Ticket Type	Personal Item (Underseat)
Aer Lingus	Saver (Europe)	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Aer Lingus	Plus / Advantage / AerSpace (Europe)	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Aer Lingus	Economy Saver (Transatlantic)	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Aer Lingus	Economy Smart / Flex (Transatlantic)	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Aer Lingus	Business / Business Flex	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Aer Lingus Regional	All fares	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Aeroflot	All fares	—
Air Canada	All fares	43 × 33 × 16 cm
Air Europa	All fares	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Air France	Economy / Premium	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Air France	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Air India	All fares	1 personal item
Air New Zealand	All fares	1 personal item
Alaska Airlines	All fares	1 personal item
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Economy / Premium	1 personal item
All Nippon Airways (ANA)	Business / First	1 personal item
American Airlines	Economy / Premium	45 × 35 × 20 cm
American Airlines	Business / First	45 × 35 × 20 cm
Asiana	Economy Class	45 × 30 × 20 cm
Asiana	Business Class	45 × 30 × 20 cm
Austrian Airlines	Economy / Premium	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Austrian Airlines	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
British Airways	Economy Basic	40 × 30 × 15 cm
British Airways	Economy / Premium Economy	40 × 30 × 15 cm
British Airways	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Brussels Airlines	Economy / Premium Economy	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Brussels Airlines	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Cathay Pacific	Economy / Premium	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Cathay Pacific	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
China Eastern	All fares	1 personal item
China Southern	All fares	1 personal item
Delta Air Lines	All fares	1 personal item

Airline E-K

Airline	Ticket Type	Personal Item (Underseat)
easyJet	All fares	45 × 36 × 20 cm
Emirates	Economy (Special, Saver, Flex, Flex Plus)	—
Emirates	Premium Economy	—
Emirates	Business / First	1 briefcase 45 × 35 × 20 cm
Etihad	All fares	—
EVA Air	Economy / Premium Economy	40 × 30 × 10 cm
EVA Air	Business / First	40 × 30 × 10 cm
Finnair	Economy / Premium	1 personal item 40 × 30 × 15 cm
Finnair	Business	1 personal item 40 × 30 × 15 cm
Garuda Indonesia	All fares	—
Iberia	All fares	1 personal item 40 × 30 × 15 cm
Icelandair	All fares	1 personal item
ITA Airways	All fares	1 personal item
Japan Airlines	Economy / Premium	1 personal item
Japan Airlines	Business / First	1 personal item
Jet2	All fares	Underseat 40 × 30 × 20 cm
KLM	Economy Basic	1 underseat 40 × 30 × 15 cm
KLM	Economy (Light, Standard, Flex)	1 underseat 40 × 30 × 15 cm
KLM	Premium Comfort	1 underseat 40 × 30 × 15 cm
KLM	Business	1 underseat 40 × 30 × 15 cm
Korean Air	All fares	—

Airline L-Q

Airline	Ticket Type	Personal Item (Underseat)
LATAM (LanChile)	Economy Cabin	45 × 35 × 20 cm
LATAM (LanChile)	Premium Economy / Premium Business Cabin	45 × 35 × 20 cm
Loganair	Fly	45 × 35 × 18 cm
Loganair	Fly Flex	45 × 35 × 18 cm
Loganair	Fly Flex +	45 × 35 × 18 cm
LOT Polish Airlines	Economy Class	40 × 35 × 12 cm
LOT Polish Airlines	Premium Class	40 × 35 × 12 cm
LOT Polish Airlines	Business Class	40 × 35 × 12 cm
Lufthansa	Economy / Premium Economy	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Lufthansa	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Malaysia Airlines	Economy Class	Personal item allowed
Malaysia Airlines	Business Suite / Business Class	Personal item allowed
Norwegian	Low Fare	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Norwegian	Low Fare+	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Norwegian	Flex	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Olympic Airlines	All fares	Personal item allowed
Qantas	Economy / Premium	48 × 34 × 23 cm + small personal item
Qantas	Business / First	48 × 34 × 23 cm + small personal item
Qatar Airways	Economy (Lite, Classic, Convenience, Comfort)	Personal item allowed
Qatar Airways	Business (Lite, Classic, Comfort, Elite)	Personal item allowed
Qatar Airways	First	Personal item allowed

Airline R-Z

Airline	Ticket Type	Personal Item (Underseat)
Ryanair	Basic / Plus	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Ryanair	Regular / Flexi Plus	40 × 30 × 20 cm
SAS	Economy	40 × 30 × 15 cm
SAS	Business	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Singapore Airlines	Economy Class (Value / Lite)	40 × 30 × 10 cm
Singapore Airlines	Economy Class (Flexi / Standard)	40 × 30 × 10 cm
Singapore Airlines	Premium Economy	40 × 30 × 10 cm
Singapore Airlines	Business Class	40 × 30 × 10 cm
Singapore Airlines	Suites / First Class	40 × 30 × 10 cm
South African Airways	Economy Class	40 × 30 × 10 cm
South African Airways	Business Class	40 × 30 × 10 cm
SWISS	Economy / Premium	40 × 30 × 15 cm
SWISS	Business / First	40 × 30 × 15 cm
TAP Air Portugal	All fares	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Thai Airways	Economy Plus / Economy	37.5 × 25 × 12.5 cm
Thai Airways	Royal First Class / Royal Silk Class	37.5 × 25 × 12.5 cm
TUI Airways	All fares	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Turkish Airlines	Economy	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Turkish Airlines	Business	40 × 30 × 15 cm
United Airlines	Economy	43 × 25 × 22 cm
United Airlines	Business / First	43 × 25 × 22 cm
Vueling	All fares	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Virgin Atlantic	Economy Light / Classic / Delight	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Virgin Atlantic	Premium	40 × 30 × 15 cm
Virgin Atlantic	Upper Class	40 × 30 × 15 cm
WestJet	All fares	41 × 33 × 15 cm
Wizz Air	Wizz	40 × 30 × 20 cm
Wizz Air	Wizz Priority	40 × 30 × 20 cm

Title

Not sure what size to choose?

Passengers travelling with multiple airlines may wish to select a bag that complies with the most commonly published underseat dimensions.

A size of 40 × 30 × 15cm is accepted by several major European carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic and KLM. Choosing a bag within these dimensions may reduce the risk of size issues when flying with different airlines.

Passengers whose ticket includes both a cabin bag and a personal item may prefer to travel with a standard cabin suitcase in addition to a smaller underseat bag.

For full overhead locker allowances, refer to our Airline Cabin Regulations guide and explore cabin luggage at Case.

For longer journeys or travel requiring hold luggage, refer to our Airline Check in Regulations guide and shop check in suitcases at Case.

Title

How To Measure Your Underseat Luggage

Measure the bag at its maximum external dimensions, including all fixed components.

Height is measured from the base of the bag to its highest point
Width is measured at the widest point across the front or back
Depth is measured at the thickest point, including any external pockets

Airlines assess overall external size, so wheels, handles and structured panels must be included in your measurement.

Underseat storage space may vary depending on aircraft type and seat configuration.

Selecting a bag slightly below the published maximum dimensions can reduce the risk of fitting issues.

Trolley Spinner

Wheeled Duffle

Duffle

Title

Additional Airline Requirements

In addition to published underseat dimensions, the following airline policies may apply.

Aircraft and seat configuration

• Underseat storage space varies depending on aircraft type and cabin layout
• Bulkhead and emergency exit row seats may not provide underseat storage during taxi, take off or landing
• Cabin crew may require underseat bags to be placed in the overhead locker during certain phases of flight

Boarding size checks

• Some airlines use baggage sizer frames at the boarding gate
• Bags must fit within the sizer without force
• If a bag exceeds the permitted size, it may be placed in the hold
• Additional charges may apply in accordance with the airline’s excess baggage policy

Weight allowances

• Some airlines apply a combined cabin weight limit that includes both the personal item and cabin bag
• Others apply a per bag weight limit
• Weight allowances may vary by ticket type and route

Passengers should refer to their airline’s official baggage policy for confirmation of size and weight limits before travel.

Title

FAQ's About Airline Underseater Regulations

Which airlines allow a 40 × 30 × 15 cm underseater bag?

Several major airlines accept underseat bags within 40 × 30 × 15 cm, including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Finnair.

Choosing a bag within these dimensions can reduce the risk of size issues when travelling with different airlines.

What is an underseater bag on a flight?

An underseater bag is a small suitcase, backpack or holdall designed to fit completely under the seat in front of you.

It is typically classed as a personal item, rather than a full cabin suitcase, and must comply with the airline’s underseat size limits.

What size bag fits under an airplane seat?

A commonly accepted underseat size across many European airlines is 40 × 30 × 15 cm.

However, size limits vary between airlines and ticket types, so passengers should always check their airline’s published baggage allowance before travelling.

Do underseater bags count as cabin luggage?

Usually no. Most airlines classify underseat bags as a personal item, separate from standard cabin luggage.

Passengers travelling on fares that include both items may bring a cabin suitcase in the overhead locker and a smaller underseat bag.

Can an underseater bag have wheels?

Yes. Many underseater suitcases have wheels.

However, the wheels must be included in the overall dimensions, and the bag must still fit completely under the seat in front of you.

Do budget airlines only allow an underseater bag?

Many low cost airlines include only an underseat bag in the base fare.

Passengers may need to pay an additional fee to bring a standard cabin suitcase into the overhead locker.

Can I take both an underseater and a cabin suitcase?

This depends on the airline and the ticket type.

Some fares allow both a personal item and a cabin bag, while others only include an underseat item.

Is there a weight limit for underseater bags?

Some airlines apply weight limits to cabin baggage that include both the personal item and cabin bag.

Other airlines focus mainly on size rather than weight, particularly for underseat items.

Are backpacks allowed as underseater bags?

Yes. Backpacks are commonly used as underseater bags.

As long as the backpack fits fully under the seat and meets the airline’s size rules, it will usually be accepted as a personal item.

Are soft underseater bags better than hard cases?

Soft bags can sometimes be easier to fit under the seat because they have a small amount of flexibility.

However, both soft bags and hard shell underseater suitcases can be suitable if they meet the airline’s published size limits.

Title

Discover More

Explore our travel guides and luggage collections.

Suitcase Size Guide
Compare cabin, medium and large suitcase sizes before travelling.

Cabin Luggage Size Guide
Learn standard cabin suitcase dimensions and airline restrictions.

Check-in Luggage Size Guide
Everything you need to know about hold luggage sizes and weight limits.

Underseat Luggage Size Guide
Understand airline underseat limits and the best bags for short trips.

Travel Backpack Guide
Discover the best backpacks for travel, commuting and weekend trips.

Duffle & Holdall Travel Guide
A practical guide to choosing the right duffle or holdall.

Luggage Care & Maintenance
Get tips to keep your suitcase performing trip after trip.

Explore more and find the support you need, whenever you need it.

Airline Underseater Regulations

What is an underseater bag?

Most Commonly Accepted Underseat Size

Airline underseater size guide

Airline A-D

Airline E-K

Airline L-Q

Airline R-Z

Not sure what size to choose?

How To Measure Your Underseat Luggage

Additional Airline Requirements

FAQ's About Airline Underseater Regulations

Discover More

Delivery & Returns

About Case

Legal

Connect With Us