Please sign in to post.

How big is the "underseat area"?

We're heading to Italy on Delta later this summer. My carryon is a 20" wheeled duffel, and I also have a Pacsafe shoulder bag for my camera gear. I'm thinking of putting the Pacsafe bag inside a lightweight tote bag (15"x17"x7.5", although it would not nearly be full) that will also accommodate comfort items for the flight like a small pillow, eyeshades, blanket, and water bottle.

I cannot find any dimensions for the underseat area on the Delta web site! All it says is purse or laptop bag size. Any idea how large these spaces actually are? (It's been several years since I traveled by air, and I suspect everything is tighter now!)

Our flights over will be on an MD90 and a 767-300. Not concerned about the trip home since I'll happily check a bag if necessary.

Posted by
14799 posts

I just wrote a blog post on this subject.

Airlines don't normally publish underseat sizes. However, to get an idea, find the maximum allowed pet carrier the airline will allow passengers to bring on board. They must be placed under the seat in front of you so whatever size is given means a bag of that size or smaller "should" fit.

Then go to seatguru.com, find your plane and look at the seat chart. Make sure there is nothing under the seat in front of you.

It will also depend on if you have the aisle, middle or window seat. Usually the middle seat has the largest area and the aisle has the least.

Posted by
10344 posts

What I'm going to say will only be an issue if you're trying to utilize every single cubic inch of space under the seat in front AND you're on an over the water aircraft that is fitted with the 110 volt under-the-seat electrical outlet. The box housing this electrical outlet must hang down (I didn't measure it, but....) about 2 inches. I was recently on a Boeing 777-Extended Range aircraft where they provide the electrical outlet, very convenient, but if someone were trying to utilize every cubic inch of space under the seat in front of them, it gets in the way a bit.

Posted by
7 posts

Interesting idea, Frank! Of course Delta doesn't publish information on kennel sizes either. Will need to give them a call I guess. I looked at your blog briefly and will spend some more time there when I get a chance.

Posted by
11294 posts

Frank II's and Kent's point about different space under different seats is important. If you get the seat with the entertainment system box for your row, or have an electrical outlet, or you're on the aisle (so there's a "bar" dividing the underseat area from the aisle), you will have less space (sometimes significantly less) than a seat without these "features."

Posted by
32171 posts

As the others mentioned, some seats have electronics mounted underneath which will restrict room for baggage (or your feet). Seat Guru usually lists which seats have those, so be sure to choose your seats carefully. Also, don't pick the front row as there's no under seat storage and the seats are narrower, as they have to allow room for the TV monitor in the arm rest.

Posted by
19052 posts

Spirit Airline charges for any carry-on that will be put in the overhead bin. They do allow a free carry-on if it is less than 16" x 14" x 12", but they say it has to go under the seat, so I imagine the under- seat area will fit that size - probably on any airline. If your 17" x 15" tote bag is not stuffed, I would think it would fit. OTOH, United limits the size of a personal item to 17" x 10" x 9" and has sizers (yet to be used) at the gate, so if Delta does the same, it won't pass.