Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item? Airline Rules & Regulations

When packing for a flight, it’s important to know what your bags qualify as. One common question is “Is a duffle bag a personal item?”. The answer varies by airline, so it’s important to check each carrier’s rules before packing your bag.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the rules and regulations for several major airlines regarding duffle bags as personal items. We’ll also provide a table with the dimensions allowed for each carrier, so you can make sure your duffle bag meets the requirements.

What is the average size of a duffle bag?

Duffle bags come in a range of sizes, but a typical size is around 24 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12 inches tall. This equates to a total volume of 3,744 cubic inches. Keep in mind that this is just an average size, and duffle bags can be smaller or larger depending on the brand and model.

Is a Duffle Bag a Personal Item?

The average duffle bag is not considered a personal item. The average size of a duffle bag is larger than what any airline considers a personal item. You are able to use a duffle bag as a personal item if it below the following dimensions for your airline:

American Airlines

According to American Airlines’ website, a personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and can be “a purse, briefcase, laptop bag or other small item that is 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions in order to be considered a personal item on American Airlines flights.

Delta Air Lines

Delta’s rules state that a personal item must be “small enough to fit under the seat in front of you” and can include “a purse, briefcase, laptop bag or other small item that is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) or smaller.” Like American Airlines, this means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on Delta flights.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest allows passengers to bring one personal item and one carry-on bag on board for free. A personal item must be “small enough to fit completely under the seat in front of you” and can include “a purse, laptop bag, or other small item that is 9 inches x 12 inches x 18 inches (22 cm x 30 cm x 45 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on Southwest flights.

United Airlines

United’s rules state that a personal item must be “small enough to fit under the seat in front of you” and can include “a purse, laptop bag, or other small item that is 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm) or smaller.” Like American and Delta, this means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on United flights.

Alaska Airlines

According to Alaska Airlines’ website, a personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and can be “a small bag, purse or laptop bag that is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on Alaska Airlines flights.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant’s rules state that each passenger is allowed one personal item on board, and that item must fit “under the seat in front of you.” There are no specific dimensions listed for personal items, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and make sure your duffle bag is small enough to fit under the seat.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier allows passengers to bring one personal item on board, and that item must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you. There are no specific dimensions listed for personal items, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and make sure your duffle bag is small enough to fit under the seat.

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines’ rules state that a personal item must be “small enough to fit under the seat in front of you” and can include “a purse, laptop bag, or other small item that is 9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on Hawaiian Airlines flights.

JetBlue

According to JetBlue’s website, a personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and can be “a purse, laptop bag, or other small item that is 17 inches x 13 inches x 8 inches (43 cm x 33 cm x 20 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on JetBlue flights.

Spirit Airlines

Spirit’s rules state that each passenger is allowed one personal item on board, and that item must fit “under the seat in front of you.” There are no specific dimensions listed for personal items, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and make sure your duffle bag is small enough to fit under the seat.

Sun Country Airlines

Sun Country’s rules state that a personal item must be “small enough to fit under the seat in front of you” and can include “a purse, laptop bag, or other small item that is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on Sun Country flights.

Virgin America

Virgin America’s rules state that a personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and can be “a small bag, purse or laptop bag that is 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches (22 cm x 35 cm x 56 cm) or smaller.” This means that a duffle bag must be within these dimensions to be considered a personal item on Virgin America flights.

Personal Item Dimensions on Major Airlines

Airline	Dimensions Allowed (L x W x H)
American Airlines	9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches
Delta Air Lines	9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches
Southwest Airlines	9 inches x 12 inches x 18 inches
United Airlines	9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches
Alaska Airlines	9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches
Allegiant Air	N/A
Frontier Airlines	N/A
Hawaiian Airlines	9 inches x 10 inches x 17 inches
JetBlue	17 inches x 13 inches x 8 inches
Spirit Airlines	N/A
Sun Country Airlines	9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches
Virgin America	9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches

As you can see, the rules for duffle bags as personal items vary slightly by airline. It’s important to check the specific dimensions allowed by the carrier you’ll be flying with in order to make sure your duffle bag meets the requirements.

It’s also worth noting that these rules are subject to change, so be sure to double check the latest rules and regulations before packing your bag.

Conclusion

A duffle bag can be considered a personal item on certain major airlines as long as it meets the specific dimensions allowed by the carrier. It’s important to check the rules and regulations for each airline you’ll be flying with in order to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. Keep in mind that the average size of a duffle bag is around 24 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 12 inches tall, but it’s always best to check the specific dimensions allowed by the airline to make sure your bag meets the requirements.

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Alex Knoch

I like to travel and I've traveled in every way possible. I've traveled by flying in planes, riding and hopping trains, road trips, joining van life, and I've even hitchhiked across the United States a couple of times. Now my goal is to make it easier for anyone to travel and experience the world by sharing with you the best travel tips, gear, and destinations out there. Find my other websites and socials at AlexKnoch.com.