The Wallet Shoppe
This is your captain speaking… looking for the best under-seat backpack for your next flight? Here’s what actually fits, and what doesn’t. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight.
Let’s face it, flying can be a pain.
The crowds, the security checkpoints, weather delays — there is a lot that can go wrong. Add to that the nightmare of checked baggage fees and lost luggage, and well, that’s enough to ruin any trip.
The Best Under Seat Backpack
One thing you can do to make it slightly easier, especially for a quick business trip or weekend away, is to carry aboard your baggage. I fly many times a year and I try to never check a bag.
Your fare determines whether an overhead carry-on is included or costs extra. A personal item is a separate allowance; check both before packing.
But everyone’s been on a flight where the overhead bins are full … so under the seat in front of you is a great option!
We Have 7 Choices, and One Winner!
We have a list below of 7 great choices, and what’s right for one person might not be right for everyone. Nevertheless - if you want the top choice first, this is our overall favorite:
And for those that want a little more detail, read on! We’ll take you through our list in three different size ranges:
shall we?
Each airline sets their own size restrictions, so you’ll want to check with your airline prior to arrival to see what they allow, but there are some guidelines we can look at here.
Can A Backpack Fit Under An Airplane Seat?
Yes, so long as it fits the definition and sizing of a “personal item”.
First, let’s get those definitions out of the way.
What’s a “Carry On” Item?
This is pretty well understood - one piece of luggage, typically 22 x 14 x 9 inches (that’s the American Airlines carry on size, but it’s pretty standard), that must go in the overhead compartment. There’s the standard “baggage sizer” (the frame you have to be able to fit your bag into) at every check-in counter. How many times have you side-eyed those and hoped the check-in person wouldn’t make you test your luggage? No? Just me?
What’s a “Personal Item”?
Ah, now, that’s a bit more complicated.
The guidance from the different airlines varies quite a bit, partly because of different aircraft, partly because the seat configuration is one of the ways they can make your life miserable … sorry, “differentiate their services”.
For our purposes a “personal item” is something like a bag or backpack that can be stored under the seat in front of you. This is a safety issue of course, they want everything stored away for takeoff and landing in case you have to, ah, de-plane rapidly.
What Size Backpack Fits Under Airplane Seats?
Let’s look at just domestic U.S. airlines for now. International carriers can have different size and weight rules; a bag accepted on one flight may be too large for the next.
| Airline | Personal Item Size |
|---|---|
| American Airlines | 18 x 14 x 8 inches |
| United Airlines | 17 x 10 x 9 inches |
| Frontier | 18 x 14 x 8 inches |
| JetBlue | 17 x 13 x 8 inches |
| Southwest | A smaller item that fits under the seat; check the aircraft and current policy |
So a smaller backpack (say 16 x 10 x 8 inches) should be able to go under the seat on most airlines as a “personal item”. A slightly larger one will be fine on some airlines (more if it can be squashed a bit).
Don’t be tempted to push this too far. If it doesn’t fit, you may have to use your overhead allowance or pay to check it.
Best Under Seat Backpack (Slimmer Laptop Packs)
The Samsonite Pro’s listed 17.5 x 13 x 7-inch dimensions fall within American’s 18 x 14 x 8-inch box, but exceed United’s 10-inch width and JetBlue’s 17-inch length. The SwissGear and Authority are larger still. Measure the packed bag before treating any of them as your personal item.
Let’s go through those in more detail:
SwissGear 1900 Scansmart
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 18.5 x 13.25 x 9 inches | 3.3 lbs | 31 liters |
Product Description:
This backpack is made from durable 1200D polyester fiber and built to last.
The ScanSmart compartment opens flat for easy access to your laptop. Follow the checkpoint instructions about removing electronics; the bag design does not guarantee an exemption. In addition to the large main compartment, the dedicated laptop compartment holds a computer up to 17”, while the TabletSafe tablet pocket keeps smaller electronics secure. This bag also has multiple interior and side accessory pockets to keep your items organized on the go, and a padded media pocket with headphone port so you can stay connected.
The bag is ergonomically designed with padded shoulder straps and a padded yet ventilated back panel for comfort and support. Finally, it is available in multiple colors to suit your preference and backed with a 10-year extended warranty.
Pros: Lay-flat laptop access; comfortable to carry; lots of organizational compartments
Cons: Some users have found that the bag does not stand well if only lightly packed
Samsonite Pro Backpack
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 17.5 x 13 x 7 inches | 3.09 lbs | Not listed |
Product Description:
The Samsonite Pro Standard Backpack is a fusion of organization and technology.
This bag has several strategic compartments to keep all of your belongings well in order. The main compartment has a 1.5” expandable gusset and offers file organization.
The tech features include: a lay-flat padded compartment that holds up to a 15.6” laptop and can be adjusted as needed; a wireless charging pocket to fit your phone and battery; a detachable cord pouch to keep all your wires organized; a padded tablet sleeve; an RFID pocket to safeguard from identity theft; and an integrated USB socket for on-the-go charging (note that the power bank is sold separately).
The S-curve comfort straps and padded back panel make carrying this a breeze, and the SmartSleeve allows you to attach it to rolling luggage if needed. This really is a tech lover’s bag.
Pros: perfect for organization of tech products
Cons: At 17.5 inches tall, it exceeds JetBlue’s published 17-inch personal-item limit
Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 18.9 x 11.42 x 5.31 inches | 2.4 lbs | 20 liters |
Product Description:
Timbuk2 has discontinued the Never Check Expandable, and the Authority is the pack we’d reach for instead. It’s a slimmer, flatter shape — which is exactly what you want when the target is the space under a seat rather than an overhead bin.
There’s a dedicated padded laptop compartment, an internal organiser panel for cables and pens, and a water bottle pocket. Timbuk2’s lifetime warranty still applies.
Pros: Slim front-to-back profile, but taller than several personal-item limits; well-organised interior, lifetime warranty
Cons: No expansion, so what you see is what you get — if you want a bag that grows for a weekend trip, look at the Matein below
Best Under Seat Backpack (Larger Commuter Packs)
These bags need a careful size check. Their published dimensions exceed at least one dimension in several of the personal-item limits above; plan on an overhead allowance unless your airline confirms otherwise.
Let’s go through those in a bit more detail:
Ridge Commuter Backpack 18L
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 18 x 12 x 6.5 inches | 2.9 lbs | 18L |
Product Description:
This bag is primarily marketed as “The Commuter” by our old friends at Ridge. Everything that makes it a great commuter bag though, also makes it a great underseat travel backpack.
The current 18L Commuter has a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve, dual bottle pockets, a luggage pass-through and a hidden AirTag pocket. It differs from the older USB-port version. The 840D ballistic-nylon shell has a PU backing and water-resistant YKK AquaGuard zippers; protect electronics separately in prolonged rain.
All in all, this is a great option, from a company known for producing durable wallets and other accessories.
Pros: Spacious; well-designed; excellent materials
Cons: The 12-inch width exceeds United’s 10-inch personal-item limit
Oakley Men’s Kitchen Sink Backpack
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 20 x 14 x 8 inches | Check selected version | 34 liters |
Product Description:
This bag is built to last, with abrasion-resistant fabric and durable outer materials.
There is a spacious shoe compartment at the bottom, a hard media-player/phone compartment at the top, a padded side-access sleeve that fits most laptops up to 17 inches, a front-zip pocket with accessory organizer panel, and a built-in optics holder (makes sense they would protect glasses and sunglasses given that’s probably what Oakley are best known for).
The compression-molded back panel and adjustable shoulder straps keep you comfortable while carrying. If you are looking for a rugged style and diverse function, the Oakley Men’s Kitchen Sink Backpack may be the choice for you.
Pros: lots of compartments for organization
Cons: the structure isn’t terribly rigid
Pacsafe Metrosafe X 25L Anti Theft Backpack
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 18.9 x 12.2 x 7.1 inches | 2.2 lbs | 25 liters |
Product Description:
The Metrosafe X is the 25L model linked here, rather than the older LS450. It has a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve, lockable zippers, cut-resistant panels and straps, an RFIDsafe pocket, and a luggage pass-through. These features deter opportunistic theft; they do not make the bag theft-proof.
The side bottle pockets and internal organizers suit a day of sightseeing as well as the flight. At 18.9 inches tall it exceeds American’s 18-inch and JetBlue’s 17-inch personal-item limits, even though the capacity sounds modest.
Pros: Lots of thought has gone into the anti-theft features; roomy and comfortable to wear
Cons: The lengthy design might make this inappropriate for people of smaller stature
Best Backpacks That Are Carry-On Sized
And finally, what if you just have too much stuff, but you don’t want to have yet another wheeled carry-on?
The following are a couple of great options for hands-free carry that are closer to common overhead carry-on dimensions. Check your airline’s limit and weight allowance, including when the bag is expanded.
Let’s look a little closer at those:
Matein Carry on Backpack, Extra Large Travel Backpack
The specs:
| Dimensions | Weight | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| 19.5 x 14 x 6.5 (exp. 7.5) inches | 2.6 lbs | 29 liters (exp. 39 L) |
Product Description:
This bag isn’t flashy, but it will definitely get the job done, and its budget-friendly too (we know a little something about budget backpack options).
It has a large capacity to hold up to a week’s worth of luggage and an interior accessory pocket to aid in organization. The hide-away shoulder straps, top and side handles, and optional chest strap make carrying this bag easy and enjoyable.
The polyester fabric resists light rain; use an inner liner for electronics or spare clothes in heavier weather. Check the seller’s warranty terms for the version you select. If you are looking for a basic high-quality carry-on, give the Matein Large Carry-on Backpack a try!
Pros: Great value; solid and dependable option
Cons: No specific laptop pocket
It Is Now Safe To Move About The Cabin
Not all travel backpacks are made alike and whats right for you will depend on whether your focus is budget, security, capacity or convenience.
Hopefully this list will help you whittle it down when choosing the best backpack for under airplane seats! But as we said before, there can only be one winner:
The Best Under Seat Backpack
The Samsonite Pro is our preferred laptop-and-cable organizer here. Its 17.5 x 13 x 7-inch shape fits American’s listed personal-item dimensions, but it is not a universal under-seat choice. If you fly United or JetBlue and want to stay within every published dimension, choose a smaller pack than this one. The SwissGear 1900 is the roomier option when you have overhead space.
If you prefer a single-strap bag, compare our messenger bags for air travel. For an overhead roller to pair with a smaller personal item, see the luggage pilots and flight attendants use.
