9 Best Carry-On Bags That Actually Fit Airline Sizers (Tested on 69 Airlines)

If you’ve ever shopped for a carry-on, you’ve probably noticed:
Every bag claims to be “carry-on size”… until you’re standing at the gate wondering if it’ll actually fit in the sizer.

The problem?

• Every airline has different rules
• Sizers don’t always match their own websites
• And gate agents? Sometimes strict, sometimes chill

To make things more confusing, some bags are technically a little too big on paper—but still fit perfectly in real-life sizers.

✈️ What This Post Covers

Over the last couple of years, I’ve tested 8 carry-on bags across 29 real sizer bins, covering 64 different airlines. This post shows you:

• Which bags actually fit in each size category
• Which airlines use the same sizer dimensions
• My top carry-on picks for different airline types

👉 Want the full data? Grab the free spreadsheet here — it lists 70+ airlines with their carry-on dimensions and compatible bags.

This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust!

🧳 Bags I Personally Tested

All of these were tested in real sizers at airports. No sponsorships—just honest, hands-on experience. 👇

• Monos Carry-On
• Travelpro Maxlite 5 19” International
• Travelpro Maxlite 5 20” (2-Wheel Rollaboard)
• Bric’s X-Spinner
• Lipault Plume by Samsonite
• Flipside Luggage Carry-On (use code ‘alysmalls’ to save $50)
• BÉIS Small Roller
• Antler Cabin Suitcase (blue hardshell)
• Antler Soft-Sided (black)

👉 Tip: Scroll to the end of the post where I have more details on each bag.

Other Options that Will Fit:

I haven’t been able to purchase every carry-on bag (…yet) but there are a few other high quality brands that are also great options based on their size, build quality, weight and features.

Each of these below carry-on bags will also fit in most of the airlines discussed here.

Away Carry-On

JULY Carry-on

JULY Carry-on Light

Quince Small Carry-On

📏 How the Testing Is Organized

I’ve grouped airlines by sizer dimensions, starting with the smallest, most restrictive bins and ending with the most generous.

So if a bag fits in one of the early sections—it’ll fit the ones that come after too.

Even if your exact airline wasn’t tested, many carriers share the exact same sizer dimensions—so if it fits one, it’ll fit the others.

✅ What Fits Each Sizer Size

55 x 35 x 25 cm

Tested Sizers: KLM, Air France, Singapore Airlines
Also Applies To: Avianca, LATAM, Copa, ITA Airways, and more

Bags That Fit:

• Lipault by Samsonite
• Antler Cabin
• Monos
• Bric’s X-Spinner
• Flipside Carry-On

55 x 40 x 20 cm

Tested Sizers: Condor, Ryanair
Also Applies To: Icelandair, Vueling, Azores, Korean Air, TUI, and others

Bags That Fit:

• Travelpro Maxlite 5 (19” & 20”)
• Antler
• Monos
• Bric’s Softside (note: front pocket was full but still fit)

55 x 40 x 23 cm

Tested Sizers: Air Canada, Lufthansa, Austrian, SWISS, Brussels, Turkish Airlines, Air Transat
Also Applies To: Finnair, LOT, Porter, Flair, Wizz Air

Bags That Fit:

• Monos
• Antler
• Travelpro (both)
• Lipault
• BÉIS Small Roller
• Flipside
• Bric’s

55 x 40 x 25 cm

Also Applies To: Allegiant, TAP Air Portugal, Viva Aerobus, Aeromexico, ANA, ZIPAIR, Japan Airlines

All previously shown bags will fit this size without issue.

56 x 36 x 23 cm (aka 22″ x 14″ x 9″)

Tested Sizers: United, American, JetBlue, Delta, Alaska, WestJet, Hawaiian
Also Applies To: Virgin Atlantic, EVA, China Airlines

Bags That Fit:
All bags listed above—plus other popular brands like Away, Quince, July, TUMI, and Briggs & Riley (not tested, but size compliant).

56 x 45 x 25 cm

Tested Sizers: British Airways, EasyJet
Also Applies To: PLAY, Norse, Aegean

Bags That Fit:
Everything shown so far—including Travelpros, Monos, Antler, BEIS, Bric’s, Lipault, and Flipside. Plenty of room to spare.

61 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm

Tested Sizers: Southwest, Frontier, Sun Country
Also Includes: Spirit (slightly smaller but still generous)

Bags That Fit:
All of them. This is the most spacious bin size—if it fits here, it probably fits anywhere.

🏆 My Top Recommended Carry-Ons

Looking for a go-to bag that fits the most airlines? Here’s what I’d recommend:

✅ Best for Strict Airlines

Samsonite Lipault or Travelpro Maxlite 5 (19″)
Compact, lightweight, and passes the strictest sizer tests.

✅ Best All-Around

Monos Carry-On or Antler Cabin Suitcase
Reliable across almost all airlines tested—ideal if you fly both domestic and international.

✅ Best Soft-Sided

Bric’s Spinner or Travelpro Maxlite 5 (20″ 2-wheel)
Flexible, roomy, and easier to squeeze into tighter bins.

📥 Free Resource

• 📊 View the FREE Airline Carry-On Size Spreadsheet (70+ airlines)

Top Carry-on Bag Measurements and Specs

Monos Carry-On

Travelpro Maxlite 5 (19” International Spinner)

Travelpro Maxlite 5 (20” 2-Wheel Rollaboard)

Bric’s X-Spinner

Lipault Plume by Samsonite

Flipside Luggage Carry-On

BÉIS Small Roller

Antler Cabin Suitcase

Antler Soft-Sided