How tall is the biggest carry-on suitcase many airlines allow?
The biggest carry-on suitcase many airlines allow is about 56 cm (1 ft 10 in) tall.
Size source: iata.org
Compared with things you know
- About 2.9 times the length of a medium banana (19 cm)
- About 64% as tall as a standard 55-gallon steel drum (88 cm)
- About 33% as tall as an adult person (1.7 m)
Carry-on suitcase dimensions
Carry-on limits from airlines' own pages[1][2][3]
| IATA guideline (many airlines) | 56 cm (1 ft 10 in)56 x 45 x 25 cm, including wheels and handles |
|---|---|
| Delta | 56 cm (1 ft 10 in)56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) |
| Air Canada standard carry-on | 55 cm (1 ft 10 in)55 x 40 x 23 cm |
How it is measured
Airlines measure a carry-on as height x width x depth. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says that many airlines apply maximum carry-on dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 in), including wheels and handles. A suitcase sold as "carry-on size" is usually built close to that 56 cm (22 in) height. Check your own airline, because the limit is not the same everywhere.[1][4]
Why limits vary
The IATA figure applies only where an airline chooses it. Delta sets individual limits of 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in) and also requires that length, width and height together do not exceed 45 in (114 cm). Air Canada's standard carry-on limit is 55 x 40 x 23 cm. A bag that meets the IATA size can therefore be too wide for Delta. Low-cost airlines have their own rules, which change often, so check the airline's page before you fly.[1][2][3]
Did you know?
Many airlines cap carry-ons at 56 × 45 × 25 cm, including wheels and handles, a size IATA publishes as a guideline.
Questions people ask
What size is a carry-on suitcase?
IATA says many airlines apply a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25 cm (22 x 18 x 10 in) including wheels and handles. Some airlines allow less: Delta's limit is 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 in).[1][2]
What is the carry-on size limit for Delta?
Delta allows 22 x 14 x 9 in (56 x 35 x 23 cm) for each dimension. Length, width and height together must not exceed 45 in (114 cm).[2]
What is the Air Canada carry-on size?
Air Canada lists 55 x 40 x 23 cm for its standard carry-on item.[3]
Sources
- Baggage - IATA iata.org
- Carry-On Baggage Policy - Delta Air Lines delta.com
- Carry-on baggage - Air Canada aircanada.com
- Hand luggage - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
