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CabinFit Research · 2026 data report

Carry-on baggage sizes: what verified airline policies actually allow

CabinFit analyzed high-confidence carry-on dimensions published on official airline pages. This living report shows the most common limits, how popular suitcase sizes compare and where airline policies differ.

Download the CSVData last checked: Aug 10, 2026

78

airlines analyzed

78

official, high-confidence rules

7

regions represented

87.2%

publish a numeric weight limit

The headline findings

55 × 40 × 23 cm

is the most frequently published carry-on size in this dataset.

87.2%

of analyzed airlines publish a numeric cabin-bag weight limit; the median among those limits is 8 kg.

26 + 51

The sample includes both low-cost and full-service carriers, so a single ‘standard cabin bag’ does not fit every policy.

How common suitcase sizes compare

Each preset is tested against every analyzed dimensional limit in all six possible bag orientations.

Bag sizeAirlinesCompatibility
40 × 30 × 20 cm78/78
100%
45 × 36 × 20 cm66/78
84.6%
55 × 40 × 20 cm50/78
64.1%
55 × 40 × 23 cm40/78
51.3%

A dimensional match is not an allowance guarantee. Fare, route, aircraft, weight and ticket conditions can still change the outcome.

Most common published dimensions

These are the recurring maximum carry-on dimensions in the verified sample, not a universal industry standard.

55 × 40 × 23 cm

22 · 28.2%

28.2%

56 × 36 × 23 cm

12 · 15.4%

15.4%

55 × 40 × 20 cm

10 · 12.8%

12.8%

55 × 35 × 25 cm

7 · 9%

9%

55 × 40 × 25 cm

7 · 9%

9%

56 × 45 × 25 cm

6 · 7.7%

7.7%

55 × 35 × 22 cm

4 · 5.1%

5.1%

50 × 37 × 25 cm

1 · 1.3%

1.3%

Coverage by airline region

Regional totals describe the dataset composition and should not be read as market share.

RegionAirlines
Europe36
Asia17
North America10
Middle East7
Latin America4
Oceania3
Africa1

Methodology and inclusion rules

The analysis includes one carry-on rule per airline only when all three dimensions are present, the source is an official airline page, confidence is marked high and the record is not awaiting review.

Compatibility is dimensional only. CabinFit rotates each test bag through six orientations and counts a match when one orientation stays within all three published limits.

Weight, fare inclusion and conditional allowances are reported separately. Missing weight values mean the reviewed source did not provide one fixed numeric limit; they do not mean unlimited weight.

Methodology and inclusion rules

Data changelog

Material dataset and publishing changes are recorded here so citations remain auditable.

  1. Version 1.1.0

    Aug 9, 2026

    Added downloadable SVG charts, citation-ready filenames, and a public methodology changelog.

  2. Version 1.0.0

    Aug 9, 2026

    Published the first airline-level dataset using official, high-confidence, fixed-axis carry-on rules.

CSV · 78 rows

Use the underlying data

Download the current airline-level CSV, including dimensions, weight, fare notes, official source URLs and last-checked dates.

Download the CSV

Download citation-ready charts

Editable SVG files include the report title, method note, date and CabinFit attribution.

SVG · How common suitcase sizes compareSVG · Most common published dimensions

How to cite this report

CabinFit, “Carry-On Baggage Size Report 2026,” accessed with the data last-checked date shown on this page.

Sample of included airline sources

Every row links to the airline detail page, where the official policy source and verification date remain visible.

Aegean Airlines55 × 40 × 23 cmAer Lingus55 × 40 × 24 cmAir Arabia55 × 40 × 20 cmAir Canada55 × 40 × 23 cmAir China55 × 40 × 20 cmAir Dolomiti55 × 40 × 23 cmAir France55 × 35 × 25 cmAir India55 × 40 × 20 cmAir New Zealand55 × 40 × 23 cmAir Serbia55 × 40 × 23 cmairBaltic55 × 40 × 23 cmAlaska Airlines55 × 35 × 22 cm

Test your own bag against the data

Enter your packed outside dimensions or compare a bag across the airline directory.

Check my bagCompare airlines

Airline policies can change and may vary by ticket, route, cabin or aircraft. Always confirm your allowance with the airline before travel.