Fly Simply: Choose the Right Carry-On and Personal Item

Navigating air travel can be a bit of a juggling act, especially when policies for acceptable luggage size and weight can vary from airline to airline. To make the process simpler, the experts at AAA have curated their top picks for carry-on and personal items, each selected for superior design as well as compatibility with most major airline standards.

Read on for the best carry-on luggage and personal items to pack for your next flight.

What's the difference between carry-on and personal items?

With a few low-cost carrier exceptions, most airlines allow each passenger to bring one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item onto the plane. As a general rule, overhead compartments are designed to fit carry-on bags that measure no more than 22” x 14” x 9” and weigh 35 pounds or less.

Meanwhile, most airlines require that personal items be small enough to fit in the 18” x 14” x 8” space under the seat in front of you. Be it a backpack, purse, briefcase, or small duffel bag, each personal item is required to be completely contained in its designated space (i.e., no straps or overstuffed portions are allowed to spill over into the aisle).

Knowing these guidelines can help ensure a smoother travel experience and avoid any unexpected fees or complications at the gate or on board your flight.

When it comes to carry-on luggage, versatility is key.

You want a carry-on bag that can shape-shift within the required parameters for size and weight while securely stowing as much clothing and other essential items as possible. With that in mind, AAA Travel pros share their top carry-on picks.

1. With pockets for days—including a quilted 16-inch laptop pouch—this Convertible Tech Backpack is one of the most versatile in the wildly popular Rodeo Drive 2.0 Collection. Sneaky capacity and shape-shifting design make this the perfect piece for busy work trips when keeping sensitive gadgets in place is an absolute must.

Under $150, available at the AAA Travelers’ Store.

2. Don’t be fooled by the Freeform Hardside 21" Carry-On Luggage’s sleek design. This expandable powerhouse conceals enormous interior capacity, with smart separation for all your essentials—and then some! Built for agility, it has a slim profile that easily maneuvers through busy airports and cramped cabin aisles.

Under $200, available at the AAA Travelers’ Store.

3. Hard-shell luggage is great for some trips, but when your carry-on game requires a little more flexibility, the Luka Soft-Sided Carry-On from Calpak comes through with spacious style. Zippered pockets are nestled in durable puff nylon—available in several trendy colors—with plenty of give for clothes, shoes, toiletries, and more.

Under $200, available at Calpak.

The best personal items out essentials at your finger tips

Choosing the right personal item is all about convenient access to device chargers, books, everyday cosmetics, and other essential items for in-flight comfort. Superior accessibility is what makes these personal items the best in class.

1. With stellar interior capacity and elegant nylon-twill construction, the HiLite Foldover Tote/Crossbody is the definition of convertible style. As a bonus, its fleece-lined interior pocket secures laptops and tablets up to 13” for ease of retrieval mid-flight.

Under $70, available at the AAA Travelers’ Store.

2. Hi-tech meets low maintenance in Travelon’s Anti-Theft Urban® Messenger Bag. Its clean design appeals to style-conscious techies, but the biggest selling feature by far is a five-point RFID/slash-resistant security system that keeps gear safe while you focus on the workday ahead.

Under $90, available at the AAA Travelers’ Store.

3. Grab-and-go features are what make Lululemon’s 20L Daily Multi-Pocket Tote a favorite with traveling yogis, boardroom bohos, and everyone in between. Designed to stand on its own with drop-in exterior pockets to catch water bottles, snacks, and other essentials, this bag boasts all the organization with none of the fuss.

Under $70, available at Lululemon.