I’ve been reviewing United Airlines’ personal item requirements for their flights, and the listed dimensions are 17x10x9 inches. I’m considering bringing a backpack, but the closest one I’ve found is 16x12x6 inches. While this backpack has slightly fewer linear inches (by 2 inches), it is 2 inches wider than the specified dimensions. I’m wondering if this backpack would still meet the airline’s personal item policy, considering the width difference.
Has anyone had experience with this or know if the wider dimension would be acceptable? I’d love to hear any advice or tips on this!
I’ve flown United twice this year and the dimensions of the personal items were not checked on either flight. It’s highly unlikely that as you board your flight, a flight attendant will be waiting with a tape measure to measure your backback.
Officially, 17x10x9 is the requirement. Unofficially, near enough is good enough.
A few years ago, BC (Before Covid) I flew twice from LA to back to Oz on Qantas and both times the hosties were at the plane door with a carry-on baggage checker literally testing everyones bags!!
There were a lot of unhappy people who saw their carry-ons set aside to be transferred to checked in luggage. Some were arguing till blue in the face, but the staff simply said the captain had given strict orders to refuse any oversize carry-on baggage - no exceptions. Who knows if that was actually true, but when you see what some people bring on board sometimes, I kinda get it.
On domestic US flights, it’s pretty much a staple to have them call for volunteers to come check your carry-on bags due to space restrictions.