Every time you board a plane, you probably hear flight attendants telling passengers to stow small, personal items under the seat in front of them and larger bags in the overhead bins. Of course, space on airplanes is notoriously tight these days, so you might wonder just how much room you have under that seat in front of you. The answer? It depends. Many airlines don't list the exact underseat dimensions, but they do share the maximum size permitted for personal items, providing an approximate measure of how much space is under the average seat.
Any items that stick out could pose a safety hazard during an emergency evacuation, so flight attendants are usually pretty stringent on this rule. If fighting for overhead bin space doesn't appeal to you (and who does it appeal to?), knowing the measurements of the space under your seat could save you time and stress. This is even more important for pet owners traveling with their furry friends in the cabin. Thankfully, we've done the work for you and rounded up 10 of the best airline-approved pet carriers that will fit under the seat.
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It's important to remember that airline underseat dimensions vary by aircraft — a Boeing 737 won't have the same seats as a Bombardier Q400 — and by individual seats, so these measurements are estimated, not exact. Roomy first-class seats may have a few extra inches to spare, and the main cabin middle seat might have more room than its neighbors. Meanwhile, people sitting at the bulkhead should remember that all that extra legroom does come at a price — these seats do not have underseat storage and passengers will have to put everything in the overhead bin.
Here are some of the most popular U.S. airlines' underseat dimensions and personal item sizes. And to make the most of the space, check out our picks for the best underseat luggage pieces that are still surprisingly roomy.
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Air Canada
The airline does not release exact measurements for the space below seats, instead using purses, briefcases, and laptop bags as examples of suitable personal items. According to Air Canada’s carry-on guidelines, personal items should not exceed 17 inches by 13 inches by 6 inches.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines allows passengers to bring one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, or laptop bag, and onepiece of carry-on luggage not exceeding 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. They don't specify the size limit of the personal item, but the seat width is approximately 17 inches.
Allegiant Airlines
Passengers can place one personal item under the seat in front of them. The item should not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.
American Airlines
According to airline policy, any personal items stowed beneath seats should not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches.
Delta Air Lines
Delta defines personal items that must fit under the seat as "a purse or laptop bag or item of similar size." Delta has a maximum carry-on size of 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches — no bag may exceed 45 linear inches combined.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines defines personal items as “purses, totes, computer bags, briefcases, and kids' backpacks.” Underseat items should be no larger than 14 inches tall, 18 inches wide, and 8 inches long.
Hawaiian Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines defines personal items as "a laptop bag, briefcase, purse, or backpack that can fit under the seat in front of you."
JetBlue
Under-the-seat baggage cannot exceed 17 inches by 13 inches by 8 inches on all JetBlue flights. Note that travelers flying Blue Basic are only permitted a personal underseat item (not a carry-on bag).
Lufthansa
Lufthansa allows passengers to stow one personal item, such as a handbag or briefcase, under the seat. The item must not exceed 11.8 inches by 15.7 inches by 3.9 inches.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest doesn't provide exact underseat dimensions either, but they include "purses, briefcases, cameras, food containers, or laptops (case included)" as personal items that must be stored under the seat in front of you.
Spirit Airlines
Personal items must not exceed 18 inches by 14 inches by 8 inches, including handles and wheels, on Spirit Airlines flights.
Sun Country Airlines
Purses, backpacks, duffel bags, or other carry-ons stowed under the seat on Sun Country Airlines flights should beno larger than 17 inches by 13 inches by 9 inches.
United Airlines
The maximum size for a personal item that fits under the seat on United flights is 9 inches by 10 inches by 17 inches.
