A personal item on a plane is a small bag that a passenger is allowed to bring onboard in addition to their carry-on luggage. It must fit under the seat in front of you. Common examples of personal items include purses, briefcases, laptop bags, small backpacks, totes, or similar small bags. Unlike carry-on luggage, which is larger and stored in the overhead bin, personal items are smaller and more strictly size-restricted by airlines
. Typical maximum dimensions for a personal item are around 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 35 x 20 cm), though these limits vary by airline. The key requirement is that the personal item must fit completely under the seat in front of you. Some airlines are stricter than others in enforcing these size limits
. Passengers can generally bring one personal item free of charge. Items like diaper bags, soft-sided coolers for breast milk, child safety seats, strollers, or medical devices usually do not count as personal items or carry- ons. If you carry multiple small bags (e.g., a backpack, purse, and fanny pack), airlines may require you to consolidate them into one personal item that fits under the seat
. In summary, a personal item is a smaller bag than a carry-on, designed to hold essentials and fit under the seat in front of the passenger during a flight
