Carry-On vs. Personal Item: What’s the Difference?

What is a handbag?

A handbag is a type of luggage designed to fit into the upper container of an airplane. Unlike marked luggage, it maintains its use with you all the time through the airport and during the scales. Because of this, your hand luggage is an excellent place to keep the items you want with you while traveling.

Hand luggage will be bigger than your personal article. Your hand luggage can be a suitcase, backpack, canvas or any other bag that suits size restrictions.

Hand -size

Because carriers have to fit in the upper container, airlines have very specific restrictions on how large they can be. The hand size limits are generally defined by a certain height, wide and depth, and its bag has to fit within each of those dimensions.

For national flights within the US, the most common size limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches. Some airlines, such as Frontier and Southwest, allow larger bags, but that size is a good general rule to follow.

International airlines have slightly different limits (because they use centimeters). 21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches (55 x 40 x 23 cm) is the most common size, but each airline establishes its own restrictions.

International flights also often have strict weight limits for hand luggage, so it is a good idea to weigh your hand luggage once it is completely full.

Types of hand luggage

When you think about hand luggage, you can imagine a small rolling suitcase, but really any bag can work as your hand luggage whenever it fits the size limits. Here are some common options for a handbag.

• Hardside suitcase: These are resistant, elegant and very popular. They usually roll on four spinning wheels of 360 degrees, and are excellent to maintain their protected and safe things.
• Soft suitcase: These are more flexible and lighter, and they generally have more pockets to maintain organized things. They can have two strong wheels) or four wheels (more maneuverables).
• Travel backpack: While undulating suitcases are convenient, nothing better than the ability of a backpack. If your trips involve many walks, especially on rough surfaces or stairs up and down, a backpack is a great option.
• Duffel bag: These are simple, durable and easy to pack. A canvas bag is ideal for transporting a lot of equipment, but because you have to carry it in one hand or on a shoulder, it is not ideal for walking long distances.
• Garment bag: If you travel with a suit or dress, a dedicated pledge bag can make sure it reaches your crunchy destination and without crumular.

How to choose a handbag

If you are on the market for a new handbag, you must first investigate size restrictions to determine what size your hand equipment should be. Remember, national flights have different limits than international flights, and each airline creates their own restrictions.

Investigate all the airlines with which you plan to fly and choose the smaller size limits, that way your bag will work for all of them.

Once you know how small your hand luggage should be, you must decide how you want to take it and move it.

Wheels luggage is convenient to roll through the airport because it does not have to carry the weight around it. However, suitcase wheels only work well on smooth paved surfaces. If your trips involve a lot walking outside, especially on rough surfaces or stairs up and down, a backpack is a much more capable option that can go anywhere.

You must also choose a bag that is easy to pack. Whether you choose a backpack, a suitcase or a wool, I recommend you find one with a great clam or panel opening. This gives easy access to everything inside and means that you can pack your bag in the same way that clothes would put in a drawer.

What is a personal article?

A personal article is typically a smaller bag or possession that can bring on board in addition to your handbag. This article must be compact enough to fit under the seat in front of you.

Personal items may include wallets, backpacks or laptop bags. You must use your personal article to store travel documents, refreshments, electronic products, books and anything else you want during your flight.

Personal article size limits

Airlines generally have clearly defined size restrictions for personal items to ensure that everything is comfortably adjusted in the cabin. Most national airlines based in the US. UU. They agree on a standard size lid of around 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

International flights often have more strict limits. The most common personal article size for international flights is 15.7 x 11.8 x 3.9 inches.

Types of personal items

You have many options to use as a personal article. Once again, provided it fits the size limits (and not dangerous), almost any bag will do the job.

• Bag or messenger bag: This is the classic option for a personal article bag. You can maintain essential elements within reach without occupying too much space.
• Travel Daypack either Backpack for laptop: A small backpack is a good option for a personal article if you carry it a lot. In addition, you can use it for one -day excursions once you reach your destination.
• LAPTOP bag or briefcase: Ideal for business travelers who need quick access to their work tools.
• Small bag or canvas bag: Yes, a canvas bag can count as a personal article whenever it adjusts within the size limits. This is a good option if you need a little additional space for clothing or dressing tables.

How to choose a personal article

Choosing the appropriate personal article is to balance space and functionality. You want one that carries everything that needs it, but also remember that you have to function as a compliment for your main hand bag. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Size compatibility: First and main, make sure the personal article adheres to the specific size requirements of its airline.
2. Content: Consider what you intend to carry. To transport electronics, opt for a well -curled bag or backpack. If not, a more compact and folding bag can be enough.
3. Convenience: Contemplate how you will administer both your hand and personal article. Some personal items are designed with straps to join the handle of a rolling suitcase for easier transport.

Tips to pack your personal and personal article

Take the most of your hand article and personnel begins with intelligent packaging. Each bag must be used for a specific purpose, and must work together as it travels.

Here are some tips on what to pack in each one and how to organize them to rationalize their trip.

Your hand and staff article must be complemented from each other

Once you have your handbag, choose a personal article that works well with it.

If you are using a hand backpack, you probably don’t want your personal article to be a portable computer backpack. How would you take them both? Instead, a small shoulder bag or even a rhythm (panting!) Would work much better.

If you are using a suitcase with classic wheels like your hand luggage, a small backpack would be a perfect personal article because you keep your hands free.

What to pack in your hand luggage

Its transport is saved in the upper container, so it must contain items that you will not need during the flight. Packing more non -essential voluminal items such as clothes, additional shoes and dressing articles here.

Remember that you can not always reach your hand luggage during the flight, so keep everything you may need in your personal article.

What to pack in your personal article

Pack your personal article with things you want fast access during the flight, such as sandwiches, a bottle of rechargeable water, personal entertainment devices and loaders. This is also an excellent place for travel documents, medicines and an additional layer of clothing in case the plane is a bit cold.

I recommend keeping your personal and light personal article, with everything else packaged in your hand luggage. That way, it is not occupying a valuable space that you can use to stretch your legs.

Use both bags to remain under the weight limit

Airlines often enforce the specific hand weight limits, and if their main bag is above the limit, it could change some smaller and heavy items such as a laptop, hard cover books or a camera to their personal article.

When doing this, not only lightens your hand luggage, but also ensures that your most valuable possessions remain with you during the flight.