Are Airline Under Seat Sizes Getting Smaller? A Look at Legroom Trends Over Time

What is the Typical Size of Under-Seat Storage on Airplanes?

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, knowing the under-seat storage dimensions on airplanes can help you pack efficiently. In this article, I’ll explore common under-seat storage sizes and provide tips for maximizing your carry-on luggage space.

Standard Carry-On Size Requirements

Most major airlines in the United States adhere to the same basic carry-on size limits set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under these guidelines, carry-on luggage cannot exceed 45 linear inches (115 cm) when added together length + width + height.

Additionally, no single dimension (length, width, or height) can exceed 22 inches (56 cm). Keeping your bags within these measurements helps ensure they’ll fit under most airplane seats. Let’s examine typical under-seat dimensions to see how they relate to the carry-on size rules.

Narrow-Body Aircraft Under-Seat Dimensions

1. Most narrow-body planes like Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 models have under-seat dimensions of around 9 inches high x 16 inches wide x 13 inches deep. This translates to a maximum allowable carry-on size of around 21 inches high x 15 inches wide x 9 inches deep.
2. On some newer narrow-body jets, the under-seat dimensions may be slightly larger at 10 inches high x 17 inches wide x 14 inches deep. This gives you more flexibility at the upper limit of 22 inches for carry-on size.

Wide-Body Aircraft Under-Seat Dimensions

Wide-body planes tend to have marginally more under-seat room:

3. For aircraft like the Boeing 767, dimensions are around 10 inches high x 18 inches wide x 16 inches deep. Luggage up to 22 inches high would fit here.
4. The vast twin-aisle jets including Boeing 777 and Airbus A330/A350 provide under-seat space of 11 inches high x 19 inches wide x 17 inches deep on average. Plenty of allowance for full-size carry-ons.

Exception for Personal Item In Addition to Carry-On

Most airlines allow a small personal item like a laptop bag or purse in addition to your carry-on suitcase. These need to fit under the seat in front of you or in small overhead bins. Most personal items meet a size limit of 16 x 14 x 8 inches or less.

How to Pack Your Carry-On Bag for Maximum Space Utilization?

Now that we know typical airplane seat dimensions, here are some tips to fill your carry-on bag without going over size:

1. Roll clothing instead of folding to save space. Depending on fabrics, you can pack 2-3 times as many items by rolling.
2. Use packing cubes or storage bags to organize and compress items tightly. This eliminates empty pockets of air in your suitcase.
3. Pack lightweight clothes instead of bulky sweaters if possible. Also avoid heavy shoes since weight limits exist too.
4. Consider multi-use items like sarongs or wraps that serve as skirts, scarves or towels to consolidate pieces. Creams do double duty as lotions too.
5. Don’t overpack toiletries. Most airlines allow travel-sized containers of 3 ounces or less in carry-on for liquids.
6. Use every nook and cranny. Stuff socks and undies in shoes, cosmetics in ziplock bags, chargers coiled into pockets.

Common Issues With Carry-On Size and How to Avoid Them

From my experience working in the travel industry, being familiar with airline baggage policies is key. Here are some potential problems to watch out for:

Bag is Too Big

No matter how light, any bag exceeding the linear 22x14x9 inch limit will not fit under most airplane seats. Airlines strictly enforce carry-on size rules to avoid delays. I’ve seen many frustrated passengers struggling to check oversized bags last minute. Measure your luggage before flying to avoid this hassle.

Being Unaware of Unique Airline Policies

While the basic FAA limits apply universally, some low-cost carriers like Spirit have even stricter carry-on rules of just one personal item plus either a rolling suitcase or backpack of max. 21x13x9 inches. Know the specifics for your airline to pack appropriately.

Not Leaving Room for Duty-Free/Liquids Purchases

Many people like to buy bottles of wine or liquor at their destination, but these take up valuable carry-on space. Unless your bag has a few inches available, you risk having to check items last minute or even be forced to abandon purchases. Plan accordingly.

Not Using All Carry-On Privileges Like a Personal Item

By only bringing a single large suitcase instead of also utilizing the free personal bag allowance offered by most airlines, you cut your capacity roughly in half. Maximize space by separately packing a small bag for say, laptop and essentials.

What if My Bag is Too Big?

If you realize upon arriving at the airport that your luggage exceeds carry-on limits, here are some options:

1. Take out items like bulky coats or sweaters and check them for free at the counter if space permits. This lightens the bag.
2. Pay the airline’s checked bag fee which ranges from roughly $25-50 each way depending on the carrier. A small cost vs. risks of losing or damaging belongings.
3. See if an airport storage facility is available as a last resort. They let you securely stash oversized bags for your trip duration.
4. Consider posting non-essential items for shipping to your destination if you have time. Door-to-door services make this convenient.

The best approach is prevention by careful packing planning and measurement. But occasionally we all miscalculate, so it’s reassuring to know remedies exist if needed. With some know-how, carry-on stress can be avoided even on packed flights.

Final Thoughts on Maximizing Carry-On Space

To summarize, familiarizing yourself with standard airline seat dimensions and each carrier’s baggage rules is crucial. While legroom continues shrinking on planes, carry-on allowances remain fairly generous if you pack creatively. Some trial and error may be involved to find what system works best for your trip style and luggage needs. But following the best practices outlined here should allow stress-free travel with all your essentials in hand. Happy packing!

Airline Seat Dimensions

Airline	Seat Width	Pitch	Recline
American Airlines	17-18 inches	31-32 inches	4 inches
Delta	17 inches	31-32 inches	2-4 inches
United	17 inches	31-34 inches	2-3 inches
Southwest	17 inches	31 inches	4 inches
JetBlue	17-18 inches	34-35 inches	4-6 inches
Alaska Airlines	17-18 inches	32 inches	4 inches
Frontier	16-18 inches	28-30 inches	2-4 inches

FAQ

1. Why are airline seats so cramped?

   Airline companies basically try to squeeze as many passengers as possible onto each plane to make more money. At the same time, fuel costs are high, so airlines want planes to be as light as possible. Unfortunately, this means very little legroom under the seats.

   

2. Is it legal for airlines to have such tiny seats?

   Somewhat interestingly, there are no actual laws stating the minimum size requirements for airline seats. Aviation authorities only set basic safety standards. So as weird as it seems, airlines can technically make seats as squat as they need to. However, lots of travelers have begun complaining about how unpleasant it is to sit in such confined spaces for hours at a time. Perhaps the authorities will someday implement actual size limits.

3. Do bigger passengers have to buy two seats?

   Most airlines basically have a “seat belt extension” rule – if a passenger’s belt doesn’t fasten over their lap in one seat, then they have to purchase a second seat. Nevertheless, some fliers who are borderline have reported being able to squeak by with just one ticket on occasion. It sort of depends on the specific aircrew’s discretion and how busy the flight is.

4. Why don’t airlines provide more legroom in premium cabins?

   You would think that with all the extra money passengers pay for business class or first class, the airlines would offer a whole lot more legroom. Amazingly though, the legroom in these pricier sections is only somewhat better than in economy. Some experts guess airlines want to fit as many high fare seats as possible onto each plane to maximize profit. But is that fair to customers?

5. How can I get more legroom on flights?

   Some ways to possibly get more legroom include pre-booking an emergency exit row or bulkhead seat online if available. These tend to have the most space under the seat in front. You can also inquire about upgrading your ticket at check-in. Or try bidding for unsold business class seats through travel websites before flying. Quoting experts, stretching your legs while waiting in the airport may also help on long flights.

6. Is the airline industry looking at bigger seats?

   Appearingly some airlines have begun experiments with slightly wider seats on new planes. For example, certain aircraft from companies like Delta and Virgin feature marginally increased legroom. Maybe more carriers will follow suit if passengers keep putting pressure on them. At the same time, rebuilding entire plane fleets to have radically larger seating would likely cost billions. So don’t hold your breath for seriously roomy seats anytime soon, unfortunately.

   

7. What can I do to be more comfortable on long flights?

   In addition to trying to get an exit row, some tips for flying coach include wearing loose, comfy clothes. Bring a neck pillow and eye mask to help snooze. Download movies on your device beforehand in case the onboard Wi-Fi is spotty. Basically, try to distract yourself and zone out as much as possible. Oh, and a small travel pillow might allow you to avoid touching the icky seat in front too. Safe travels!