A lot of manufacturers advertise their 28-32 inch suitcases as checked luggage. However, technically, that’s false advertising. The truth is that a large portion of 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32-inch suitcases are over the size limits for checked bags, so they can’t be used as checked bags. If you’d try to check in these bags, potentially, the clerk at the check-in desks could deem them oversized and ask you to pay additional fees or not allow using them altogether.
In this article, you’ll learn the main size restrictions for checked luggage, and how to understand which checked bags are oversized and which aren’t. We’ll also share some checked bags that are just within the size limits and answer other important questions.
We have a more in-depth guide on luggage sizes over here but in this article, we’ll talk mainly about checked luggage.
Table of Contents
The Size and Weight Restrictions for Checked Luggage
Pretty much all airlines allow passengers to bring one or two checked bags within 62 linear inches (157 cm). There also are weight limits, but they’re different for each airline and flight class, usually ranging between 50-70 lbs (23-32 kg).
The rules for checked luggage are so similar between airlines because they’re enforced by the flight authorities, not the airlines themselves (FAA, IATA, and others). To protect the baggage handlers from injuries, these rules state that each checked bag should weigh no more than 50 lbs (23 kg), and it should be under 62 linear inches (157 cm). However, they do state that bags up to 70 lbs (32 kg) will be accepted, but must be marked as “overweight”. Anything over that won’t be allowed at all.
When it comes to checked luggage weight restrictions, more expensive airlines will allow more checked bags for free, with lesser weight restrictions. Budget airlines, on the other hand, usually have stricter rules for checked luggage, with tighter weight requirements and higher fees. Before you fly, and even as you are in the planning stages of your trip, it’s best to check with the airline to avoid paying extra fees.
(function(d,s,id,u){ if (d.getElementById(id)) return; var js, sjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], t = Math.floor(new Date().getTime() / 1000000); js=d.createElement(s); js.id=id; js.async=1; js.src=u+’?’+t; sjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, sjs); }(document, ‘script’, ‘os-widget-jssdk’, ‘https://www.opinionstage.com/assets/loader.js’));How to Measure Linear Inches (Height + Width + Depth)
Airlines measure checked luggage in linear inches, which is a measurement meant to describe how large an object is in three dimensions – height, width, and depth. To measure linear inches, you need to use a tape measure and measure the height of your suitcase (top to bottom), the width (side to side), and the depth (front to back). Then you need to add these three measurements together.
Don’t forget to include the wheels, handles, and anything else that’s “sticking out”. You should always measure each dimension at the widest point, not the narrowest.
For example, the [amazon link=”B00EALLN56″ title=”Samsonite Winfield 2 28-inch checked suitcase”] has the total overall dimensions of 31 (height) x 20 (width) x 12.75 (depth) inches. To get linear inches, we need to add up 31 + 20 + 12.75, which equals 63.75 linear inches. Since airlines require a linear measurement of 62 inches (157 cm), this bag would most likely be marked as “oversized checked luggage”, and you’d need to pay additional fees.
Is 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32-Inch Checked Luggage Within 62 Linear Inches?
The main issue with checked luggage is that in advertising, manufacturers only describe the height of the bag, such as 28 inches, 32 inches, etc. However, airlines don’t really care about this. They care only about the total sum of the height, width, and depth of the bag, which must be under 62 inches (157 cm). And quite often, checked suitcases are above this limit.
We did an experiment to find out how many checked bags are over 62 linear inches on average, based on how large they’re advertised as. Down below, you can see the results from our research, which included data for 159 popular checked suitcases.
| Adverdised As | Linear Inches (on Average) | % of Suitcases Over 62 Linear Inches |
|---|---|---|
| 24-Inch | 53.89 | 0% |
| 25-Inch | 54.50 | 0% |
| 26-Inch | 55.50 | 0% |
| 27-Inch | 59.23 | 25% |
| 28-Inch | 61.16 | 37% |
| 29-Inch | 62.00 | 39% |
| 30-Inch | 62.12 | 48% |
| 31-Inch | 63.85 | 54% |
| 32-Inch | 62.70 | 50% |
Our research revealed that 43% of bags advertised as “checked-large”, are over the 62 linear-inch limit. You can only safely buy suitcases advertised as up to 26-inches, knowing that all of them will be under this limit. Anything over that, and there’s pretty much a one-in-two chance that it’s over 62 linear inches.
So the only real way to know for sure is to do the calculations yourself. Look at the product description, either on amazon, or even better directly on the manufacturer’s website, and find out the suitcase dimensions with wheels and handles included. After that, add them up to find out if the bag really is below 62 linear inches.
Read Next: What if Your Carry-on Is 1 Inch Too Big?
Conclusion: What’s the Largest Luggage Size for Check-In?
All checked suitcases need to be below 62 linear inches in size (height + width + depth). If you’re looking for a checked suitcase that isn’t oversized, look for 24, 25, 26, or 27-inch checked luggage. Most of these will be just below the 62-inch limit, which is just what you’re looking for if you want to efficiently use up the space in your checked suitcase.
Of course, some 28, 29, 30, 31, or even 32-inch options might also be within the right size but from our own research, a large portion of them was oversized with wheels and handles included in the measurements. To find out for sure, you need to calculate linear inches yourself, by finding out the correct dimensions within the product description.
Read Next: 8 Best 62-Inch Checked Suitcases in 2022
Picking a brand for your checked bag? The brand affects durability, weight, and warranty terms — all critical for checked luggage that gets tossed around by baggage handlers. For mid-range value, see our Samsonite vs Travelpro comparison; for premium options built to last decades, check out Briggs & Riley vs Tumi.
Best 62-Inch Checked Suitcases
There are a lot of checked bags that are just within 62 linear inches. To save some time on your research, down below we listed some of the best ones.
[amazon fields=”B06W2MRNP7″ value=”thumb” image_size=”medium” image_align=”center”] | Best Overall: Samsonite Base Boost
| [amazon link=”B06W2MRNP7″ title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |
[amazon fields=”B09QFGNZGP” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] | Runner-Up: Travelpro Maxlite Air
| [amazon link=”B09QFGNZGP” title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |
[amazon fields=”B01EGDWRWA” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] | Most Durable: Pelican Air 1615
| [amazon link=”B01EGDWRWA” title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |
[amazon fields=”B0873R87NL” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] | Best High-End: Briggs & Riley ZDX
| [amazon link=”B0873R87NL” title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |
[amazon fields=”B01LXOCPFG” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] | Reliable & Affordable: Samsonite Freeform
| [amazon link=”B01LXOCPFG” title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |
[amazon fields=”B074Y2GF99″ value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] | Good-Looking: American Tourister Moonlight
| [amazon link=”B074Y2GF99″ title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |
[amazon fields=”B07GT3ZBXM” value=”thumb” image_size=”medium”] | Affordable: Kenneth Cole Out of Bounds
| [amazon link=”B07GT3ZBXM” title=”SHOP NOW” link_class=”shortcode-product-button table-product-button”] |