Best Carry-On Luggage for International Travel (2026): 5 Bags Sized for Strict Airlines
The best carry-on for international travel is the Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner, because it is 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in (55.2 × 40 × 19.7 cm), weighs 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), and costs $160. That depth of 7.75 in is the number that matters: it sits under the 20 cm limit that Ryanair and Vueling list, while a standard US carry-on at 9 in deep (22.9 cm) does not.
Disclosure: NewCarryOn may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. Bag sizes and prices come from each manufacturer's product page and the NewCarryOn catalog, checked on October 12, 2026. Airline limits come from the NewCarryOn airline data and change often, so confirm yours before you fly.
Quick verdict
| Bag | Best for | Overall size (H × W × D) | Weight | Price at last check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner | Most travelers | 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in (55.2 × 40 × 19.7 cm) | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) | $160 |
| Travelpro Platinum Elite International Carry-On Spinner | Business trips | 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in (55.2 × 40 × 19.7 cm) | 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) | $390 |
| Eagle Creek Expanse 2-Wheel International Carry-On | Rugged softside | 21.5 × 14 × 8 in (55 × 35 × 20 cm) | 5.25 lbs (2.4 kg) | $269 |
| Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT International Carry-On Duffel | Duffel with backpack straps | 21.5 × 13.75 × 7.75 in (55 × 35 × 20 cm) | 5.56 lbs (2.5 kg) | $299 |
| IT Luggage Lustrous Luxe Softside Carry-On | Lowest price | 21.7 × 14.2 × 8.7 in (55.1 × 36.1 × 22.1 cm) | Not published | $99.99 |
Why a "domestic" carry-on can fail internationally
A US carry-on is built for 22 × 14 × 9 in (55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm), and the NewCarryOn airline data shows that international limits differ in two ways: the depth is often shallower, and a weight cap is often enforced. The table below lists the limits that decide most trips.
| Airline | Cabin bag limit (cm) | Weight limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryanair | 55 × 40 × 20 | 10 kg (22 lbs) | Bag limit for the larger cabin bag, 20 cm depth is the strictest in this table |
| Vueling | 55 × 40 × 20 | 10 kg (22 lbs) | Same depth as Ryanair |
| Emirates | 55 × 38 × 20 | 7 kg (15.4 lbs) | Published guides vary between 20 and 22 cm depth, so plan for 20 cm |
| Lufthansa | 55 × 40 × 23 | 8 kg (17.6 lbs) | Swiss, SAS and Turkish list the same size |
| Air France | 55 × 35 × 25 | 12 kg (26.5 lbs) | The 12 kg total and a 40 × 30 × 15 cm small bag are on Air France's own pages |
| KLM | 55 × 35 × 25 | 12 kg (26.5 lbs) | Same size as Air France |
| British Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 | 23 kg (50.7 lbs) | Largest limit in this table |
| easyJet | 56 × 45 × 25 | 15 kg (33 lbs) | Large cabin bag is a paid add-on; the free bag is smaller |
| Delta, United, American | 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm) | None published | The US benchmark |
Two things follow. Depth is the limit that catches US carry-ons: of the 454 carry-on-height bags in the catalog, only 21 are 7.9 in (20 cm) deep or less.
Weight is the limit that catches full bags. A 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) empty bag leaves only 3.5 kg of packing allowance under Emirates' 7 kg.
Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner: best overall
The Maxlite 5 International is the pick because it combines the shallowest depth in this list with a $160 price. Travelpro publishes both case and overall sizes: the case is 19 × 15 × 7.75 in, and the overall size with wheels and handles is 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in (55.2 × 40 × 19.7 cm).
Photo: Travelpro
It weighs 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), holds 39 L, and has four spinner wheels, a TSA lock, and a limited lifetime warranty. That leaves 4.6 kg of packing allowance under a 7 kg limit and 5.6 kg under an 8 kg limit. See the full catalog entry for the Maxlite 5 International.
The negatives are two. The 55.2 cm height is 0.2 cm over a 55 cm limit when converted from inches, so a strict sizer may flag it, and the expansion zipper adds up to 2 in of capacity. Travelpro notes the bag fully expanded may not meet airline restrictions.
Travelpro Platinum Elite International Carry-On Spinner: best for business trips
The Platinum Elite International shares the Maxlite's 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in outline and adds features: eight self-aligning spinner wheels, leather handles, a USB-A charging port, and a power bank pocket. It weighs 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg), holds 39 L, and costs $390.
Photo: Travelpro
The negative is weight. At 7.7 lbs (3.5 kg) it uses half of Emirates' 7 kg allowance before you pack, and costs $230 more than the Maxlite 5 for the same outline and capacity. The catalog entry is the Platinum Elite International.
Eagle Creek Expanse 2-Wheel International Carry-On: best rugged softside
The Expanse 2-Wheel International is one of two bags here whose maker prints the 20 cm figure on the spec sheet. Eagle Creek lists 21.5 × 14 × 8 in (55 × 35 × 20 cm) standard, expanding to 21.5 × 14 × 10 in (55 × 35 × 25 cm), and says the external dimensions include wheels, handles and all other components.
Photo: Eagle Creek
It is a 35 L bag made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop, with two heavy-duty wheels, lockable zippers and a "No Matter What" warranty. The catalog lists the weight at 5.25 lbs (2.4 kg), and the price is $269. See its catalog entry.
The negative is that two wheels mean you tilt and roll it, rather than spin it, and the expanded depth of 25 cm fits Air France, KLM and British Airways but not Ryanair or Vueling.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XT International Carry-On Duffel: best for duffel flexibility
The Cargo Hauler XT is a wheeled duffel with stowable backpack straps, and Eagle Creek lists it at 21.5 × 13.75 × 7.75 in (55 × 35 × 20 cm) including wheels, handles and other components. It holds 32 L, weighs 5.56 lbs (2.5 kg) in the catalog, and costs $299.
Photo: Eagle Creek
The fabric is water resistant and the bag has internal and external compression. The negative is capacity: at 32 L it holds less than the 39 L Travelpro bags and the 35 L Expanse. The catalog entry is the Cargo Hauler XT International.
IT Luggage Lustrous Luxe: best low-price option for 23 cm airlines
The Lustrous Luxe is the cheapest bag here at $99.99, and it only suits airlines that allow 23 cm of depth or more. IT Luggage lists 21.7 × 14.2 × 8.7 in (55.1 × 36.1 × 22.1 cm) with 2 in of expansion, and a front zippered expander for up to 25% more capacity.
Photo: IT Luggage
At 22.1 cm deep it is 0.1 cm over the 22 cm Emirates depth some guides publish, 2.1 cm over the 20 cm depth in the airline data, and 0.1 cm over Lufthansa's 55 cm height. IT Luggage publishes no weight on this page, which makes the Emirates 7 kg limit impossible to plan for. Read the full IT Luggage review.
Best carry-on luggage for Europe
For Europe, the answer is the same as the international answer, because the strictest limits on the continent come from its low-cost airlines. If you fly Ryanair or Vueling, buy a bag that is 20 cm deep or less, which means the Maxlite 5 International or either Eagle Creek bag at its standard size.
If you fly only full-service carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, KLM or British Airways, a 22 × 14 × 9 in bag fits their size limits, and weight becomes the deciding factor. The guide to strict-airline carry-ons lists more options, and the carry-on size by airline chart covers the rest.
Hardside bags and the 20 cm depth
Hardside bags are scarce at 20 cm. The catalog's 21 bags at 7.9 in deep or less include hardsides from Rimowa, Samsonite and American Tourister, and their manufacturer pages did not load for our spec check on October 12, 2026, so we did not feature them.
Travelpro's Maxlite Air V2 International hardside was listed as sold out on its product page at last check, at 21.65 × 15.75 × 7.8 in (55 × 40 × 19.8 cm) and 6.3 lbs (2.9 kg). Check availability if you want a hard shell at this depth.
How to choose an international carry-on
- Find your strictest airline. List every flight on the itinerary, and use the smallest limit for depth and weight.
- Read the overall size. Wheels and handles count. Travelpro and Eagle Creek both publish overall sizes, and IT Luggage's include handles and wheels.
- Work out your weight allowance. Subtract the empty weight from the strictest limit. A 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) bag leaves 4.6 kg under 7 kg.
- Leave the expansion zipper closed. Expansion adds depth. The Expanse grows from 20 to 25 cm, and the Travelpro bags add up to 2 in.
- Read the gate-check risks. See why carry-ons get gate-checked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best carry-on for international travel?
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner is the best overall. It is 21.75 × 15.75 × 7.75 in (55.2 × 40 × 19.7 cm), weighs 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg), and costs $160.
What size is a carry-on for international flights?
It varies by airline. Ryanair and Vueling list 55 × 40 × 20 cm, Lufthansa lists 55 × 40 × 23 cm, and Air France and KLM list 55 × 35 × 25 cm. US carriers list 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm).
Is a US carry-on too big for Europe?
A 22 × 14 × 9 in bag is 22.9 cm deep, which fits Lufthansa's 23 cm and Air France's 25 cm but not Ryanair's or Vueling's 20 cm. Check the airline before you fly.
What is the weight limit for international carry-ons?
Limits in the airline data run from 7 kg (15.4 lbs) at Emirates to 8 kg at Lufthansa, 10 kg at Ryanair and 12 kg at Air France and KLM. British Airways lists 23 kg, and US carriers publish none.
Do international carry-ons include wheels and handles in the size?
Yes. Airlines measure the whole bag, and Eagle Creek states that its external dimensions include wheels, handles and all other components.
Is hardside or softside better for international carry-on size?
Softside is easier at 20 cm, because the fabric flexes under a sizer and few hardsides are that shallow. In the catalog, 21 of 454 carry-ons are 7.9 in deep or less.
Where to go next
Check your own airline on the carry-on size by airline chart, then filter the NewCarryOn luggage catalog by depth.
