Personal item carry on

What is the size limitation?

I looked. So my $35 Amazon Rangeland will work. It's 12 x 16 x 7, and the 7 is 1 inch too big, so dont over pack, and it will squish and fit the sizer box. And it will work in maybe 75% of all flights.

I love my Portland Gear compact backpack:
https://portlandgear.com/products/cascade-backpack-compact
It's smaller, and I have used it on Air Canada as well as many other airlines. I like the trolley sleeve, so it rolls as a compact unit on my carry-on suitcase. I especially appreciate the unusual stay-open top that lets you easily see in but also allows more packing room. I can fit my Turtl neck pillow and an extra pair of shoes as well as a small packing cube with a change of clothes. I like the front pouch for snacks!
If you have a big laptop or lots of electronics (I can just squeeze my Fire tablet in) it may not work for you.

That is what is so frustrating! I copied the following from the Air Canada website:

Carry-on bag with maximum dimensions: 21.5 inches high. 15.5 inches wide. 9 inches deep. (Rolling Rick fits!)
Personal item with maximum dimensions: 13 inches high. 17 inches wide. 6 inches deep. This is where Nothing Fits- or, at least, it has been very difficult to find anything that meets these exact measurements.

Most problematic is the 6" deep. I see that other people on this forum haven't had issues with personal items with slightly different measurements, and maybe my husband, especially, is being paranoid, but if there are any problems at the gate, I'd like to be able to show them measurements from their website and the item description.

rhangulo, I am a stickler for following the rules. If you can maintain the disapline to not overpack the bag, its made out of cloth, so the 7" dimension will press down to 6" and fit in the sizing bin (and meet the rules). Most people so over pack a bag that they end up with a round looking thing that is larger than the dimenisions. I use to do that too so i quit cloth bags for my carryon and switched to a hard case. I can pack the bejeebers out of that and the size doesnt change.

I have a Delsey Chatelet tote that is 3" too deep but meets the 13x17 measurements. Just don't overpack.

I have a Sherpani Soleil tote/crossbody/backpack that fits British Airways personal item measurements, which is slightly shorter than CA’s measurements. my PI

My Fjalraven Kanken 15" laptop bag is 15.75 x. 10 x 6.5. It would be 1/2" too deep if I stuffed the outside pocket. So I just wouldn't.

I am looking at carry-on luggage limits and they seem to be stingier this year than last year. Maybe it’s just the airlines we booked.

I am seeing Condor and Iceland Air (both), for large carry on bag (overhead compartment): 55cm x 40 cm x 20 cm. (21.6” x 15.7” x 7.8”). That is 1 to 2” less deep than what we’ve used on our last four trips (2015, ‘18, ‘23 and ‘24). It also looks like 1.2“ skinnier than the RS gear (9”, plus RS bags are soft so could be more than 9”.). We did not have such stingy limits on Condor in 2018, nor on BA, Air France, Lufthansa, or ITA in ‘23 or ’24.

The limits on the small carry-on are ridiculous. Smaller than the daypack I’ve always used and even smaller than the super small daypack I use as a lightweight daypack. The size limit on Iceland (30cm x 40 cm x 15 cm, or 11.8 “ x 15.7 x 5.9”) seems designed to limit your additional item to a medium to small purse or a laptop computer case and bar daypacks pretty much across the board. The Condor size is similar, but only 10 cm deep.

Weight limits are also less than what we had last year on Lufthansa. Just 10kg TOTAL on Iceland Air. Last year, the 10kg limit on Lufthansa was for the larger bag, alone. Ditto for Air France two years ago.

I do see BA is deeper at 25 cm, so that should be 9” plus a little and that Lufthansa’s 23 cm just equals 9”. Perhaps the extra 1.2” reduction on overhead suitcase depth is the price of flying budget airlines.

I love my Baggallini Women's 3-in-1 Convertible Backpack. It can be used as a backpack or a shoulder bag. It measures 15.5"W x 12.5"H x 4"D and weighing just 1.5 lbs

Thank you all for your helpful replies. Seems like airlines are out to drive us all nuts. LOL All the more reason to pack light, pack smart, don't overpack. Really appreciate this forum.

I got sucked into the tom Bihn vortex a couple of years ago and my personal item is a briefcase type bag by them that I carry crossbody. I love it. It’s 14.2 x 10.2 x 3.9 and weighs 12 ounces. It passes everybody’s requirements. It stands up under the seats so I have room for my big feet and long legs. I just don’t like backpacks and this wears easily in airports, subways and walking to the hotel. A satchel or briefcase type shape might be something to consider.

Could you please specify the bag name. Didn't see the Tom Bihn bag you describe. Thanks.

Sure rhangulo, it’s the Daylight Briefcase. I tried in vain to transfer the link but those 2 words in their search will bring it up. I have the ‘aubergine’ color and it’s a handsome bag I think. I really had to swallow hard at the price but I have to say that it’s very well made and after several trips with heavy use it still looks brand new. Plus I liked owning something actually made here instead of china.

Fred--The Rick Steve's 21" rolling bag fits into the Icelandair sizer. We pack light, so it is not stuffed to the gills. We fly there often, and this bag has always passed the test with the agents and SEA is strict.

Thank you, lyndash. I found the Tom Bihn bag you referenced. Looks perfect.
Also, for anyone else, the Rolling Rick is my go-to travel bag. It fits, I love it.
Laugh of the day- after all the stewing about a personal item, I found a small backpack I got as a gift, no less, that meets required measurements.

Dear Lyndash,
I just looked up the daylight briefcase by TB. The price is not bad. I wish the photos showed the interior pockets more. There is also the nomad and cadet.
TB marketing can be funny. Always urban, coffee shop, 30ish male, computer, “profound” book packed in bag. Minimalist music in background. Quiet, introvert types.
I think it would be funny if the model was chubby, wearing a “fishing” shirt - bright color, and pulled out a Cat Fancy magazine. Some twangy country music in background. (I realized I just described about half the residents in my county.). Cheers!

There you go, Sun, profiling traveling Floridians again!!!! :)

Doric,
We Floridians are a rather obvious group. Easy to spot us anywhere. And, I’m definitely part of the pack.
Perhaps - Jimmy Buffet music would be even better for the ad. There’s always Gloria Estefan.