Carry-on planning starts with your airline's actual limits
A bag marketed as “cabin size” is not proof that it fits every airline's rules. Dimensions, weight and the number of allowed items can differ by carrier, fare and route.
Check every flight
Read the operating airline's current baggage page for each leg. Measure the packed bag including wheels and handles. Keep essentials accessible in case a cabin bag must be checked at the gate, and understand the rules for batteries and other restricted items.
Pack by purpose
Set aside documents, essential medication, valuables and a basic change of clothing. Follow official security guidance for liquids and any medical exceptions. TSA guidance is relevant to US screening; other jurisdictions have their own rules.
Review electronics separately
Consult the airline and the relevant aviation authority before packing power banks or battery-equipped luggage. The FAA's smart-baggage guidance is a useful US reference, but airline restrictions can add requirements. Do not improvise with damaged batteries or assume last year's rules remain unchanged. A small packing checklist tied to your actual ticket is more reliable than copying a generic list of everything someone else took on holiday.
Sources & further reading
Source material and official guidance. Original practical suggestions are editorial content, not statements from the organisations below. Checked September 9, 2026.
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