Thread: Flight Carry-on Luggage Question

We will be cruising on the Mariner this Spring. Both my husband and I plan to have a carry-on for the flight into Los Angeles. I can find maximum dimensions for luggage that can be put up above the seats, but need to know the maximum dimensions for it to fit under the seat in front of us on the plane. We will be on a Canadair CRJ-900 and it has limited overhead storage compared to other planes. Because of this we want to be assured our luggage will fit under the seat in front of us.

Does anyone know where I can find this information? I checked seatguru dot com, but they only give the general carryon information. I also checked thru CC (here) but didn't see any forums for air travel.

Thanks for your help.

found this on the DIS board

If you are on a small jet like a Canadair Regionjet then the typical carryon won't fit anywhere and you will have to "gate check" it. Make sure your carryon has a luggage tag so they can match it to you in case they send it to luggage claim later, and make sure you put valuables and medicines in a soft small bag that actually can go on these small jets. I once surrendered a bag at gate claim and they could not find it for 30 minutes. We almost had to continue to our connecting flight without it... and they would have no idea where to send the bag becuase it has no routing tag at that point. Very bad situation if your carryon with your medicine and cameras gets left at the airport and they search for it for a couple days before finding it and sending it to you.

Also found this............ Rick Steves' Travel Store : Avanti Flight Bag

But to be safe I would get a decent size tote bag for medicine and necessities in case it ends up having to be checked, you can throw the stuff in the tote, put your purse in there too

Hey Mary!

Ken (MD11F) might be able to give you more info since he is a pilot.

Ask your question here on our Air Travel forum--> Air Travel.

Originally Posted by sue miller

found this on the DIS board

If you are on a small jet like a Canadair Regionjet then the typical carryon won't fit anywhere and you will have to "gate check" it. Make sure your carryon has a luggage tag so they can match it to you in case they send it to luggage claim later, and make sure you put valuables and medicines in a soft small bag that actually can go on these small jets. I once surrendered a bag at gate claim and they could not find it for 30 minutes. We almost had to continue to our connecting flight without it... and they would have no idea where to send the bag becuase it has no routing tag at that point. Very bad situation if your carryon with your medicine and cameras gets left at the airport and they search for it for a couple days before finding it and sending it to you.

Also found this............ Rick Steves' Travel Store : Avanti Flight Bag

But to be safe I would get a decent size tote bag for medicine and necessities in case it ends up having to be checked, you can throw the stuff in the tote, put your purse in there too

Sue, thank you so much for this research for me. We had already decided to take "totes" rather than the roll-on weekender. Hal got a Swiss Army one that is 15 x 12 x 7 and the Rick Steves' one is 14 x 12 x 7. One tote tho (one we already have) is larger so now I may need to rethink my carry-on.

Originally Posted by Char

Hey Mary!

Ken (MD11F) might be able to give you more info since he is a pilot.

Ask your question here on our Air Travel forum--> Air Travel.

Char, thank you. I looked and looked for a "plane" forum and couldn't find one. Helps to look under the right word ... LOL. I just posted a question there. Definitely don't want to take any chances of the carry-ons not fitting.

Thank you Sue & Char for your help. Greatly appreciated.

My best answer is to call the airline and ask them for the under seat dimensions for this particular aircraft make and model, they would know. Generally, 7"x 14" is used for underseat Guidance.

Originally Posted by MilliesMom

Sue, thank you so much for this research for me. We had already decided to take "totes" rather than the roll-on weekender. Hal got a Swiss Army one that is 15 x 12 x 7 and the Rick Steves' one is 14 x 12 x 7. One tote tho (one we already have) is larger so now I may need to rethink my carry-on.


Char, thank you. I looked and looked for a "plane" forum and couldn't find one. Helps to look under the right word ... LOL. I just posted a question there. Definitely don't want to take any chances of the carry-ons not fitting.

Thank you Sue & Char for your help. Greatly appreciated.

Mary they usually allow a purse and a tote bag, it might be better to nix the carryon and check it, for a good size tote that will hold at least meds, a ziplock with makeup, and bathing suit. and it should be able to hold your purse with tickets, boarding stuff as well, so easy on and off. If you don't get your luggage on the ship right away, you have what you need and you can wear whatever on the first night for dinner. When I cruise I only use a tote for the travel end and check everything else

Originally Posted by MD11F

My best answer is to call the airline and ask them for the under seat dimensions for this particular aircraft make and model, they would know. Generally, 7"x 14" is used for underseat Guidance.

Thanks Ken, I was surprised it is not posted on their website. I will call and see. Thanks for the guideline.

Originally Posted by sue miller

Mary they usually allow a purse and a tote bag, it might be better to nix the carryon and check it, for a good size tote that will hold at least meds, a ziplock with makeup, and bathing suit. and it should be able to hold your purse with tickets, boarding stuff as well, so easy on and off. If you don't get your luggage on the ship right away, you have what you need and you can wear whatever on the first night for dinner. When I cruise I only use a tote for the travel end and check everything else

Sue, good advice. I hadn't thought of a tote for me, but it is a possibility. I always take an extra change of clothes in my carry-on, camera and meds. I may look for a zippered tote bag, know Vera Bradley has them. Hal needs some type of case/carry-on tho for his meds and camera. We don't want either in checked luggage.

Here's the response from the Airlines: (was surprised to see 32W as a center dimension, think it is a typo and was meant to be 12W)

Thank you for visiting usairways.com.

Mesa Airlines will operate one or more flights in this itinerary.
Due to smaller-sized overhead compartments on our Express aircraft,
carry-on bag size is limited to the following dimensions for these
flights: 19"x15"x11".

MAXIMUM CARRY-ON BAGGAGE DIMENSIONS:

UNDERSEAT - 17L X 32W X 11H INCHES

If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to reply
or call our Internet Support Desk at (800) 327-7810. We know that you
have many choices and we thank you for choosing US Airways.

Originally Posted by MilliesMom

Thanks Ken, I was surprised it is not posted on their website. I will call and see. Thanks for the guideline.



Sue, good advice. I hadn't thought of a tote for me, but it is a possibility. I always take an extra change of clothes in my carry-on, camera and meds. I may look for a zippered tote bag, know Vera Bradley has them. Hal needs some type of case/carry-on tho for his meds and camera. We don't want either in checked luggage.

Dickie is diabetic and has had a 5 way bypass so lots of medicine, he carries a bag that is 16 inches wide, by 9 inches high by 9 1/2 inches sides and has shoulder straps . He has his medicine and toiletries in there and anything else to throw in. It is small and convenient.

Originally Posted by sue miller

Dickie is diabetic and has had a 5 way bypass so lots of medicine, he carries a bag that is 16 inches wide, by 9 inches high by 9 1/2 inches sides and has shoulder straps . He has his medicine and toiletries in there and anything else to throw in. It is small and convenient.

We are going to take the bag back we bought yesterday for Hal. Will have to rethink his carryon and mine. Fortunately we have a few months to do that before the cruise. I just like having all these things completed in advance.

Where did Dickie get his bag, what brand etc.? Thank you.