What is the difference between a carry-on and checked luggage?

A carry-on is a bag small enough to bring onto the plane with you — it goes in the overhead bin or under the seat. Checked luggage is a larger bag you hand to the airline at check-in; it travels in the cargo hold and you collect it at baggage claim after landing.

How do I know if my bag is the right size for carry-on?

Measure your bag's length, width, and depth with a tape measure (include wheels and handles). Compare those numbers to the airline's published size limit for your ticket type. Most airlines allow around 55×40×20 cm, but limits vary. Our Bag Fit Checker can tell you instantly.

What is the 3-1-1 liquid rule?

Each liquid, gel, or cream must be in a container of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less. All your containers must fit in one clear, resealable plastic bag of about 1 litre capacity. You are allowed one such bag per person. This bag must come out of your carry-on at security.

Do I have to take my shoes off at airport security?

In the US, shoes off is standard at most checkpoints. In the EU and UK, it depends on the airport and the scanner type — many modern CT scanner checkpoints no longer require it. If you are unsure, watch what other passengers ahead of you are doing.

What happens if my carry-on does not fit in the overhead bin?

If the overhead bins fill up before boarding is complete, the airline will gate-check your bag — it goes into the hold for that flight and you collect it at the gate or baggage claim on arrival. This is usually free and your bag is returned promptly.

Carry-On for First-Time Flyers: A Complete Beginner's Guide

Flying for the first time brings a lot of questions: What bag can I bring? What goes in it? What happens at security? This guide walks through every step so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 1: What Is a Carry-On?

Every airline allows you to bring at least one bag onto the plane with you — this is your carry-on. It goes in the overhead compartment above your seat. Most airlines also allow a smaller personal item (handbag, small backpack, laptop bag) that goes under the seat in front of you.

Checked luggage is different: it is a larger bag you hand to the airline at the check-in desk. It travels in the aircraft's cargo hold, and you collect it at the baggage carousel after you land. Checked bags usually cost extra, especially on budget airlines.

Step 2: Measure Your Bag

Airlines publish a maximum size for carry-on bags. If your bag exceeds it, you may be forced to check it at the gate — and pay a fee.

How to measure:

Lay your bag flat.
Measure the longest side (usually height), width, and depth with a tape measure.
Include wheels, handles, and any protruding parts — airlines measure the full external dimension.
Compare to your airline's listed limit.

Airline type	Typical carry-on limit
Full-service (BA, Lufthansa, United)	55–56 × 40–45 × 20–25 cm
Budget European (Ryanair, easyJet)	40–55 × 20–40 × 20–23 cm
Budget US (Spirit, Frontier)	Around 45 × 35 × 20 cm

Always check your specific airline's website — limits vary by ticket class and change over time.

Step 3: What to Pack Where

Carry-on (overhead bin)	Personal item (under seat)
Extra clothes	Wallet and travel documents
Toiletries bag (liquids in 100 ml containers)	Phone and charger
Laptop or tablet	Headphones
Books, snacks	Medication
Jacket or light layer	Keys

Keep anything you might need during the flight in your personal item — once seated, accessing the overhead bin is inconvenient.

Step 4: The 3-1-1 Liquid Rule

Liquids, gels, and creams in your carry-on must follow this rule:

Each container must be 100 ml or less
All containers must fit in one clear resealable plastic bag (about 1 litre)
One bag per passenger

This applies to: water, shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, toothpaste, mascara, lip gloss, sunscreen — anything wet or gel-like. Solid versions (solid shampoo bars, solid deodorant) do not count as liquids.

Empty your water bottle before security. You can refill it at a fountain or café airside (after security).

Step 5: What Happens at Security

Here is the standard sequence at most airports:

Present your boarding pass and ID at the document check point.
Place your carry-on and personal item on the conveyor belt. Remove your liquids bag and put it in a separate bin.
Laptop out of the bag into its own bin (unless you have TSA PreCheck in the US).
Jacket and belt off — place them in a bin.
Shoes — off in the US; check signs at other airports.
Walk through the scanner and collect your items on the other side.

Step 6: What NOT to Pack in Carry-On

Security will confiscate these items:

Liquids in containers larger than 100 ml (including full-size shampoo or water bottles with water in them)
Sharp objects: scissors with blades over 6 cm, knives, box cutters, razors (except safety razors)
Sporting equipment that could be used as a weapon (baseball bats, golf clubs)
Flammable liquids or gases

Step 7: Boarding and the Overhead Bin

Boarding groups are called in order — usually first class, then elite status passengers, then the rest by zone. On many budget airlines, "Priority" boarding means you paid extra to board early, which guarantees overhead bin space near your seat.

If you board in a late group, bins near your seat may be full. A flight attendant will gate-check your bag for free, and you collect it at the jetway or baggage claim. This is common and painless — do not panic if it happens.

Most Common First-Timer Mistakes

Forgetting to empty your water bottle — confiscated at security without exception
Leaving scissors in the bag — even nail scissors can be flagged
Buying full-size toiletries — 100 ml rule is strictly enforced, and full-size bottles will be binned
Not having ID and boarding pass accessible — keep them in an outer pocket of your personal item
Not labeling your bag — if it gets gate-checked, a name label on the bag is useful
Packing valuables in checked luggage — always keep electronics, medication, and important documents in your carry-on