Carry-On Luggage

How to pick out airline carry-on baggage that works for you
By Lesley Graybeal Airplane carry-on bags have gotten bigger and more unwieldy than ever in recent years as airport security makes it tougher and more time consuming to check bags. Airline regulations also can be tough on airplane carry-on luggage, though, so it's important to shop for bags that meet carry-on luggage restrictions.

Airline carry-on bags come in a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate the many needs of airplane passengers. Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, there's carry-on luggage out there with the pockets and features you need.

When shopping for carry-on luggage, remember the following:

1. Check out carry-on luggage with wheels to store more and eliminate checked bags.

2. Shop for duffel bags and totes for an additional carry-on bag that fills and transports easily.

3. Shop for a backpack or rucksack for a carry-on bag with utility on the ground.

4. Look at rolling briefcases, computer bags, and combination suitcase/briefcases for easy business travel.

Shop for wheeled business carry-on luggage that eliminates the need for checked bags

Plenty of well-known brands offer carry-on luggage that meet airline carry-on luggage size limits and other restrictions, but are also sized large enough to pack for a short business trip without the need for a checked bag. Look for wheeled business carry-on luggage for small garment bags and other options for carrying on exclusively.
Try:  Luggage Club and eBags both offer a wide selection of luggage for sale online. If you sort by type and select carry-on, the airline carry-on bags offered are all standard carry-on size or smaller.

Search for duffel bags and totes for quick and convenient airline carry-on baggage

If you're going to check a bag and carry one on, or if you anticipate doing some shopping on your trip and bringing back more stuff than you took with you, airline carry-on bags that are easy to pack empty, fill up and carry with you are a smart choice. Duffel bags and large tote bags that zip shut are both good types of bags to bring with you if you're expecting to need more storage space.
Try:  Luggage Pros duffels and Luggage Pros totes both offer a wide selection of sizes and features for duffel and tote bags to bring as airplane carry-on luggage. Best Baby Store also sells some airplane carry-on bags that function as both a diaper bag and a duffel for storage of anything you and your family might need on the plane.

Use a backpack for airline carry-on baggage that's useful on the ground

Whether you're doing adventure travel or just want to have a useful bag to carry around with you in your daily travels once you reach your destination, you may be interested in a travel backpack specifically designed to be used as carry-on luggage. Many outdoors retailers sell not only backpacks for hiking, but also backpacks designed for airline travel.
Try:  Red Oxx offers a high quality rucksack, which is roughly the size of a daypack or weekend pack, for use as carry-on luggage. Bags for Less also sells an airline backpack that comes complete with a detachable day pack for everyday use at your destination.

Look for carry-on luggage to ease your business load

Carry-on luggage pieces are available in lots of varieties for business travellers. Rolling briefcases and combination suitcase/briefcase luggage are a great way to take a short business trip without the strain of a heavy carry-on load.
Try:  Browse rolling briefcases from Luggage.com. Also check out Essentials4Travel for a full list of a range of rolling laptop backpacks, rolling overnight bags, and combination bags for your short business trip.

• Check with the specific airports you'll be visiting and the airline you're using before you fly to get any specific updated airline carry-on luggage restrictions. Carry-on luggage is typically subject to different requirements depending on the carrier and the airport you use.