When airlines began charging to check bags, they also ushered in the era of “gate lice.” That’s modern slang for people who jockey for early boarding to their flights in order to score valuable storage space on the plane and save a buck.
Regular flyers know that carry-on size limits can vary wildly, especially on regional aircraft with puny overhead bins. The measurement guidelines on a major U.S. carrier such as Delta Air Lines are 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 35 x 23 cm), which is fairly standard for an airline but abjectly ridiculous to anyone who likes to vacation with clothes on.
That’s pretty tight, but nowhere are the carry-on size limitations more strict than in Europe. On European no-frills flying bus easyJet, the limit for free cabin baggage is a ridiculously teeny 45 x 36 x 20 cm, or 18 x 14 x 8 inches. If you want to bring aboard a bag larger than that, you have to pay a fee, and even then you’re still limited to 56 x 45 x 25 cm (about 22 x 17.5 x 9.5 inches).
On some flights by Irish carrier Aer Lingus, your carry-on can measure no larger than 48 x 33 x 20cm (18.9 x 13 x 7.8 inches)—and you still might have to pay an extra fee.
Suffice to say that the carry-on bag you use for U.S. or Canadian domestic flights may be considered gargantuan by European standards. If North Americans want to be free of the burden of checking luggage while traveling abroad, they have to go smaller than they’re used to. Like, really small. Like, bring-one-pair-of-underwear-and-wash-it-in-the-hotel-sink small.
These carry-on bags will fit the bill in many cases, although of course you’ll have to double-check the specific sizing requirements for your airline and flight. All of the models below have wheels (sometimes called spinners) so you won’t have to endure shoulder straps. Many of the designs (often called underseat) are specifically engineered to fit beneath the seat in front of you.
These bags are so small, you won’t even have to join the gate lice. When you’re confident that your luggage can slide under the seat in front of you, you don’t race for an overhead bin.
Pictured above: Victorinox Airox Global Hardside Carry-on
Airox Frequent Flyer Hardside Carry-On
The manufacturer, Swiss Army’s Victorinox, equips the polycarbonate-shelled Airox Frequent Flyer Plus Hardside Carry-On ($325) with “a combination lock and a butterfly opening system with two divider walls.” It’s certainly light. Heavy-duty zippers snap into the built-in, TSA-approved lock to secure closure.
Measurements: 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9 inches / eight: 5.06 pounds
TPRC Smart Under Seat Carry-On Luggage
Good Housekeeping named TPRC’s Smart Under Seat Carry-On Luggage its “Best Value Underseat Luggage” in 2021, and it’s still a strong seller. At just $50, this is the least expensive of our selections—and while its construction sometimes reflects the cheap price point, you’ll save so much on checked bag fees that you can buy another if it wears out. There’s a pocket and USB outlet, but you must supply the cord and battery.
Measurements: 14 x 15 x 8.5 inches / Weight: 5 pounds
Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage
Another polycarbonate-encased bag with TSA-approved built-in locks, the Calpak Hue Mini Carry-On Luggage ($165) puts the emphasis on mini—it will pass even the harshest size tests on the stingiest European airlines. The four wheels spin in any direction, and the case comes in seven colors such as Bluebell, Orchid, and Key Lime (if those colors aren’t in your crayon box, rest assured they’re pretty). The bag looks plain, but there’s very little space wasted on the inside. In its own tests, Travel+Leisure has chosen the item as the “Best Underseat Luggage” for multiple years running.
Measurements: 14.25 x 13.75 x 8.75 inches (interior) / Weight: 6.1 pounds
Away’s The Carry-On
The Carry-On ($275), Away’s simplest carry-on option, glides smoothly in any direction, and, inside, you’ll find straps that can be used to compress clothing as well as a hidden laundry bag. On the top, an extendable handle can be adjusted to two height positions, while on the bottom, there’s a second handle indentation to make the bag easier to lift from a bed or luggage carousel. This carry-on is on the heavier side, but it’s well-made, and there are at least 10 color choices at any moment. For another $50, you can get The Carry-On Flex, which also has a zipper that expands the bag by 2.25 inches, but that would technically push things past many airlines’ posted maximum measurement allowance.
Measurements: 21.7 x 14.4 x 9 inches / Weight: 7.5 pounds
Travelpro Crew Classic Rolling UnderSeat Carry-On
The New York Times‘s Wirecutter section keeps naming the Travelpro Crew Classic Rolling UnderSeat Carry-On ($195) “Our Pick” in best underseat luggage no matter how many changes the design undergoes. The exterior is flexible high-density fabric, which may help you stuff the bag into irregularly shaped spaces, the interior fabric is made from recycled bottles, and there’s a quick-access front compartment for stashing small items. It also has exterior side pockets and a removable water-resistant storage compartment for damp things like umbrellas and water bottles. This one fits laptops up to 14 inches. It has only two wheels, allowing for slightly more space in the cavity.
Measurements: 17 x 14 x 8.75 inches / Weight: 5.8 pounds
American Tourister 4 KIX 2.0 Expandable Softside Luggage
Amazon reviews of the American Tourister 4 KIX 2.0 Expandable Softside Luggage ($88) contain multiple confirmations that this super-basic bag is not only durable, but it also fits under the seats of both Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines planes. That checks most of the boxes you’ll need to successfully avoid checking a bag. Because the item is soft-sided, it’s easier to squish in tight spots. It’s not much to look at, but this recommendation is about functionality, not style, and American Tourister, now owned by Samsonite, has been making luggage since 1933.
Measurements: 20 x 12 x 32.5 inches / Weight: 10.5 pounds
Briggs & Riley Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner
For passengers who prefer pristine-looking, top-of-the-line luggage, the Baseline Global Carry-On Spinner ($700) is the most expensive hand luggage on our list. But if you make the investment, Briggs & Riley is a rare luggage maker that still promises to always repair or replace bags that have damage to the “functional aspects,” including from wear and tear. Solid construction results in a relatively high weight—on an Aer Lingus flight, even an empty bag would account for nearly half your carry-on weight allowance. However, the bag is expandable, so if you buy extra souvenirs on the trip, you’ll have the option of more space—though when it’s expanded, you may have to check it.
Measurements: 21 x 15 x 9 inches / Weight: 9.9 pounds
Note: All of the above items were independently selected by the Frommer’s editorial team and no product’s inclusion was based on partnerships or business relationships.