Personal item size: how large is the space under a seat?

Personal item size: how large is the space under a seat? - Small cardboard boxes and leather cases placed on bed with sheet near big box in light room of house under sloping roof

Airlines often define exactly what size and weight a carry-on bag can be, but then also allow you to bring a 'personal item' (a purse or laptop bag) of often undefined size. Sometimes airlines give specifications, but these vary, and often the advice is for it to 'fit under the seat in front of you'. I for one want to pack as much as I can without causing trouble for others, which is pretty hard to achieve with the information I have. So is the space under a seat standardized across planes?

Browsing this site and elsewhere, I can find exact specifications for some airlines, but that doesn't help much when your airline (as is my case) says:

Norwegian

You can also bring one small personal item on board. This could be a little handbag or a slim laptop case that fits comfortably under the seat in front of you.

Make sure you don't overpack!

Bulky hand bags, shopping bags or large laptop cases may not qualify as a small personal item. If you have too much baggage, you'll have to pay to check it in.

SAS

In addition to [carry-on] allowance, all passengers are allowed to bring a handbag or small laptop bag onboard for free.

I'm hoping that if this question is answerable it would help more than the people who happen to use these airlines.






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Is an under seat bag considered a carry-on?

As a very general rule, most underseat luggage must be smaller than regular carry-on cases and measure around 16 x 14 x 8 inches. Some budget airlines have recently changed their fare policies and now charge a nominal fee for stowing your carry-on luggage in the overhead compartment.

What size backpack fits under the seat of an airplane?

Although the dimensions may vary, in general, the space under an airplane seat can accommodate backpacks 18 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 8 inches high.

What is an under the seat personal item?

Similar to carry-on luggage, an underseat personal item is subject to size and shape requirements. However, unlike most of the things we fly with\u2014nearly all of which are precisely designed for airplane use\u2014almost any small bag (your favorite backpack or tote, for instance) can work as a personal item.

What are the dimensions of a personal item?

Including handles and wheels, the maximum dimensions for a carry-on are 22 inches long, 14 inches wide and 9 inches high. Personal items are limited to 17 inches long, 10 inches wide and 9 inches high.



One Bag Under the Seat (5 Luggage Options)




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