Can a Duffle Bag Fit Under an Airplane Seat?

If you are about to take a trip by an airplane and it’s not something you do on a very consistent basis, you might wonder how could you maximize your carry-on capacity, especially if you don’t want to resort to checked-in luggage. Especially, if you have a duffle bag that you’d like to bring along and not sure if it’d count as a carry-on or personal item. So, can a duffle bag fit under an airplane seat and thus be considered as a personal item? This question is worth around 60 bucks (it’s an usual check-in luggage price if you fly with cheap airlines) and we will try to answer it in a simple and very quick manner. So, without further ado, let’s dive into it.

[INTERESTING: What Are Duffle Bags?]

Airline Luggage Restrictions

Airline carry-on policies are not the same across the board. Each airline sets its own limits on the size and weight of luggage that can be carried on board. Therefore, we will need to somewhat looking into these restrictions to determine whether a duffle bag can fit under the seat in front of you or should be stowed in the compartment above your head. It’s very important to check these policies, as what works for one airline may not for another, especially when travelling with so called cheap airlines.

[RELEVANT: Is a Duffle Bag Considered a Carry-On or Personal Item?]

Variability in Under-Seat Space

The space available under airplane seats differs based on the airline and the type of aircraft, as well as the class in which you’re flying. To give you a clearer picture let’s look at these common examples:

Economy Class Examples:

• Boeing 737: Typically, under-seat dimensions are around 18″ wide by 14″ deep by 8″ high (46 x 36 x 20 cm).
• Airbus A380: Offers slightly larger dimensions due to its larger size, but you still should not add more than and inch or two to the abovementioned dimensions, and only if you carry a duffle bag, which is more flexible and can squish in if needed.

First Class Examples:

• If you are flying first class, then you are probably not reading this article in the first place.

But at the end of the day you will need to check a size limit for a personal item for each airline you are flying with. Because even if you fly with an Airbus, generally slightly larger plane that could theoretically fit a slightly larger bag, but if you are not let through during the check-in or asked to give up the bag during the boarding, then you travelling experience will suffer greatly.

Features of a Compatible Duffle Bag

If you don’t yet have a leather duffle bag, but you love them a lot and want to get one for your upcoming travels, look for appropriately sized one from the get go. It will ensure that your new duffle fits under the seat. But just to let you know, duffle bags that easily fit under the seat in front of you on an airplane are not super common. Most of them are much larger in size. However, the best news if you get a leather duffle bag if you don’t overpack it, is that even if dimensions are larger than the ones allowed by stupid policies, you can rest assured you will be able to pass the size check and fit it under the seat due to its flexibility.

[GOOD READ: How To Carry a Duffle Bag]

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, while many duffle bags can fit under an airplane seat, you will need to make sure that you don’t overpack it and get a flexible one, preferably made from leather, and without any metal gape frames (those are super cool and practical, but not for plane travelling). Just remember the most standard dimensions for a personal item: 18 x 14 x 8 inches (46 x 36 x 20 cm) and more often than not you will be golden while bringing along your duffle bag.

In the meantime, you can check out our leather duffle bags for both, men and women (although, apart from a very few and specific models, duffel bags are completely unisex). Size dimensions are very clearly stated on each product page, so just check them out and pick one that you like the most.

Hope you enjoyed the read, and if so, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more relevant info for travelers and more.