How Big Can My Purse Be On A Plane? What To Put Inside

‘How big can my purse be on a plane?’ It is the very question that often knocks your mind from the beginning, just the day before your flight.  If you a regular air traveler, you know for sure that you can enter the aircraft cabin with two bags. Most airlines allow that. One is standard size luggage, and another one is your personal item, or you call it ‘purse’. Let’s get to know about the size of a purse.

Exactly How Big Can My Purse Be On A Plane?

First thing first, remember, a purse is a small attachment to you. Don’t think of it as a carry-on. In terms of airlines, it refers to your personal item. Its dimension is around the following parameter:

Length = 18 inches (45.72 cm)

Width = 14 inches (35.56 cm)

Height = 8 inches (20.32 cm)

There is very little space under every passenger’s seat. That’s why you have to consider the size so that you can fit it there. It can be under-seater luggage, small backpacks, a laptop or diaper bag, and just a briefcase. Any air ticket you purchase includes two bags. Some airlines may limit you to carry only a purse. For instance, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines.

The United seats have smaller space than the others. It would be better if your purse has the following parameter:

Length = 17 inches (43 cm)

Width = 10 inches (25.4 cm)

Height = 9 inches (22.86 cm)

In Frontier Airlines, your purse needs to be a maximum (18 x 14 x 8) inches or (45.72 x 35.56 x 20.32) cm. When you are off to cross several airlines on a single trip, there will be many numbers in your head. If you see Delta and RyanAir, you will get this. In this case, you need to think smart to manage your purse.

Suppose the restriction limits you in 18 inches (45.72 cm) x 14 inches (35.56 cm) x 8 inches (20.32 cm) 14 x 8 inches, which means 40 linear inches (101.6 cm) as the maximum.  It would help if you went with the bag of 19 inches (48.26 cm) x 10 inches (25.4 cm) x 6 (15.24 cm) inches, that’s 35 linear inches (88.9 cm).

What To Put Inside My Purse On A Plane?

To say in a word to answer the question, you can put inside as much as your purse can take. But you need to be aware of the regulation of the airlines which ticket you just bought of. During rearranging all the items just after the security checkup, you can go through like this.

Make sure whether you have kept your hand sanitizer in the purse. Similarly, put all the liquid as well as cream makeup in a bag with a size of a quart. Of course, do this in time of checkup. After that, put some in your purse. Now let’s get on to the other necessary things.

Handy Gadgets You Often Carry

It is a real comfort to have what you keep in regular to yourself. In this day, the communication device is a must. There is no bar to have your smartphone on the plane.  So it can easily get inside your purse. As you can’t use any internet pack or talk over the phone, it is better to switch off. Moreover, a table or a kindle to read your favorite book is okay to be your personal item. Hence, you can also put it inside your purse.

Some Toiletries Can Be Worthy

You can think of Mist, any hair gel, lotions, or creams on board the air cabin. But these toiletries don’t have to be in a container that is a remarkable size. You can consider a transparent carrier like a bag to bring with you.  However, you can look after your skin on the plane. Consider the gels and liquids limiting to 96.39 grams. Put all of your little zip bags in a standard size transparent carrier. It will save you from leakage.

Moreover, the containers in travel standards are acceptable. You can use these travel-friendly carriers before going through customs. It will let you get rid of the potentiality of freaking out inside the customs. You must now be worried about where to find them. There is nothing to be stressed out. You can get them in the stores or pharmacies near your location. They are even available at low prices.

Be Careful About Your Favorite Foods and Snacks

Packing all of the liquids in a bag of plastic quart size. Don’t let this necessary thing get out of your mind during the checkup.  On the other hand, during the travel in JetBlue, your purse can have the tiny bottle of your favorite energy drink inside. The staff will gladly pour your glass when you wish to have it.

In the case of snacks and chocolates, the airlines will welcome you. But it would be best if you were careful about the liquids and fluids. Don’t take Yogurt or such kind of fluids. It is better to leave them as the drinks usually come in a large size.  However, in the airport, there are many drinks available to buy as they are already screened. Therefore, they are allowed for anyone who is about to board a plane.

Gifts You Haven’t Wrapped Yet

You may want to take some gifts with your friends. Your boxed items won’t be in any problem there. But you need to unbox them due to the security issue. The same things apply to the wrapped gifts. Transportation Security  Administration recommends that it will be convenient for you to come to the airport with the gifts having unwrapped. It would be best if you just carry the gift inside your carrier during the travel. After all, you can decorate it as you wish after you reach where you left for.

Can I Put Clothes in My Purse on a Plane?

Yes. Purses are not regulated for the amount of clothing that may be placed inside them when going through TSA security checkpoints. It is recommended, however, to place the items in a clear baggie or another container for easier inspection. Purses are defined as “a handbag or pocketbook usually carried by women”  according to dictionary.reference.com.

Therefore, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) specifies that “smaller purses and wallets” can be taken onto an airplane as a carry-on item when going through security checkpoints at any airport in the United States under their jurisdiction. It is best to place items such as money, cell phones, wallets, keys and other items in a clear baggie or in a front pocket of a purse when going through TSA security checkpoints to aid the security personnel in their inspection.

In 2002, President Bush signed into law all 50 U.S states’ compliance with  the Aviation and Transportation Security Act  which charges the Department of Transportation (DOT) with the task of creating security regulations for all airlines allowing them to fly into and out of the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was tasked with enforcing these mandates, which includes how passengers possess items while they go through TSA checkpoints.

Pilling Up

So, ‘how big can my purse be on a plane’ depends on ‘how many things I am taking inside it’. If you can choose your items wisely, and according to the airlines’ policies, it will be easy for you to pack up every necessary thing. Eventually, your purse won’t then be larger than your expectation.Always prioritize the most necessary things over the others. Then it won’t be complicated for you to balance between what must be taken and what better be taken.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.Can You Bring A Big Purse On A Plane?