How to pack a personal item vs. carry‑on bag for 2026 trips ✈️

• A personal item is a smaller bag that fits under the seat in front of you, while a carry-on is larger and stored in the overhead bin.
• Pack in-flight essentials like chargers, snacks, and medications in your personal item for easy access.
• Your carry-on bag should hold items you won't need during the flight, such as clothes, shoes, and toiletries.

When you're preparing for a trip, knowing how to pack your luggage the right way is truly essential. Oftentimes, travelers overthink their packing habits. They either overpack and end up having to check an overweight suitcase, or they under-pack because they’re not sure what items are actually allowed on a flight.

In my experience, the key to becoming a master packer (and seriously upgrading the quality of your travels) lies in knowing the difference between your personal item (aka the bag you can access during the flight) and your carry‑on (which gets stored overhead). Most major airlines allow travelers to board with both—assuming they meet certain size or weight requirements—but understanding when to opt for these travel bags and what exactly to pack in each is a whole different ballgame.

With the right packing tips, you can streamline your suitcase, avoid extra fees and make traveling a whole lot easier. Here, I've highlighted the differences between a personal item vs. a carry-on bag and included my top product recommendations for what to pack in your personal item vs. carry-on.

• What counts as a personal item vs. a carry‑on?
• What to pack in your personal item (under your seat)
• What to pack in your carry-on bag (overhead bag)

What counts as a personal item vs. a carry‑on?

So, what are the key differences between a personal item bag and a carry-on bag? And how do you know which one to opt for when traveling? Use the below cheat sheet to help you differentiate between these two types of travel bags:

• Personal Item = Known as the under‑seat bag, this travel accessory is what will stay closest to you in-flight; it gets tucked beneath the seat in front of you, and can includes travel bag silhouettes like a backpack, tote bag or small duffel bag.

Béis Mini Weekender Bag

This infamous weekender bag from Béis has all the bells and whistles to guarantee a more seamless travel experience—like zippered compartments, a built-in shoe organizer and more. Shop at Béis

Nobl Carry-On All-In-One Mini

Contrary to popular belief, there are hardside suitcases that can fit beneath the seat in front of you on a flight—and they come in the form of under-seat luggage, just like this mini Nobl carry-on. Shop at Nobl

Cuyana Classic Easy Zipper Tote

I personally own this Cuyana tote, and swear by it as the ultimate everyday accessory; it's crafted from a lightweight leather material and features a zippered design for extra protection. Shop at Cuyana

• Carry‑on = Known as the overhead bin bag, this travel accessory allows for more space than a personal item bag, but requires you store it in an overhead bin throughout the flight. The most common carry-on bags are roller suitcase, larger duffel bags and travel backpacks.

Samsonite Freeform Hardside Carry-On Luggage

Hailed as the most popular Samsonite luggage, with over 17,000 reviews on Amazon alone, this hardside carry-on has TSA-approved combination locks and 360-degree wheels for easier movement. Shop at Amazon

Calpak Terra 26L Laptop Duffel Backpack

For a durable backpack that can hold all of your travel essentials and squeeze seamlessly into an overhead bin, go for this top-rated Calpak bag—available in multiple colors. Shop at Calpak

Patagonia Black Hole Duffel 40L

Whether you're braving the outdoors or an airport, you can navigate any trip with style and confidence—and this Patagonia duffel in tow. Shop at Patagonia

What to pack in your personal item (under your seat)

When it comes to packing your personal item, this is the bag you'll want your most necessary travel essentials in or any products you'd like to keep handy during your flight—think chargers and tech, neck pillows and ear plugs, snacks and more.

In-flight comfort essentials to pack in your personal item

Trtl Travel and Airplane Pillow

Sleep comfortably on planes and red eye flights with the help of this unconventional travel pillow, which was bought by over 5,000 Amazon shoppers last month alone. Shop at Amazon

Owala FreeSip Stainless Steel Water Bottle

For those longer travel days, keep this durable Owala water bottle close to enjoy continued hydration with ice-cold water (or any drink of your choosing). Shop at Target

Bombas Travel Compression Sock and Gripper Slipper 2-Pack

Long flights can be hard on legs. To keep blood circulation moving throughout any travel day, opt for these cozy compression socks from Bombas. Shop at Bombas

Loop Quiet 2 Ear Plugs

Noisy cabin neighbors, turbulence, babies—these top-rated Loop ear plugs are designed to block out all background noises, so you can enjoy a more comfortable (and quiet) flight. Shop at Amazon

In-flight tech essentials to pack in your personal item

iWalk USB-C Portable Charger

I never travel without this compact portable charger; it plugs directly into your phone's USB-C port, with no extra charging cord required. Shop at Amazon

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds

Tune out the noise in your plane's cabin and tune into your favorite playlists with these wireless earbuds that are an Apple best-seller. Shop at Amazon

Twelve South AirFly Pro

This small but mighty wireless transmitter will help to elevate your in-flight entertainment experience. Shop at Amazon

What to pack in your carry-on bag (overhead bag)

Your carry-on bag will mostly hold travel essentials that you won't mind being out of reach during a flight. I suggest packing clothes, shoes, toiletries and makeup in your carry-on. Because this is where you can pack the bulk of your travel gear, it is helpful to utilize toiletry bags and even packing cubes for your carry-on.

Carry-on bag travel essentials

Travel Bottles for Toiletries

No checked bag—no problem. This TSA-approved toiletry set will help you organize all of your travel liquids and move through the airport with ease. Shop at Amazon

Monos Compressible Packing Cubes

Organize your carry-on essentials with these compressive packing cubes that are designed with over-packers in mind. Shop at Monos

What is the difference between a personal item and a carry‑on?

A personal item fits under the seat during a flight, while a carry‑on is typically a bit larger and designed to go in the overhead bin. What constitutes a personal item vs. a carry-on varies; a standard carry-on size is 22" x 14" x 9", and can range from a carry-on suitcase to a duffel bag. Alternatively, personal items are smaller, with the most popular personal items being a backpack, tote bag or under-seat luggage.

Should I put my medications in a carry‑on or personal item?

When it comes to packing your carry-on or personal item bag, you always want to make sure your most essential products are in your personal item, as they'll be more accessible during the flight; plus, on certain occasions, full flights might require passengers to check their carry-on luggage at the gate.

Can my personal item be a backpack?

Yes—many travelers prefer backpacks because they maximize space.

What happens if overhead bins are full?

Full flights often indicate that overhead bin space may be more limited; in these circumstances, passengers may be asked to have their carry-on gate‑checked, which is why it's so important to keep in-flight essentials in your personal item.

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