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.
In August 2018 alone, US airlines took 180,459 reports of lost, damaged or delayed bags, according to the DOT’s Air Travel Consumer Report. That’s one month. It works out to 3.08 per 1,000 passengers, which sounds like good odds until yours is the bag that doesn’t turn up.
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.
On most airlines you get a carry-on for the overhead bin as well as a personal item for under the seat. Unless you’re flying one of those super-budget airlines (cough, Frontier), where the overhead bin costs extra.
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 6 Choices, and One Winner!
We have a list below of 6 great choices, and what’s right for one person might not be right for everyone. Nevertheless - if you want the top choice first, our overall favorite is the Ridge Commuter Backpack 18L.
And for those that want a little more detail, read on! We’ll take you through our list in three different size ranges:
Let’s get to it, 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 are often stricter, and many of them weigh your carry-on too.
| 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, they will take it away and put it overhead - somewhere. Or charge you to check it.
Best Under Seat Backpack (Slimmer Laptop Packs)
These are the slim end of the list. Neither is inside American’s 18 x 14 x 8 box on paper; the SwissGear and the Timbuk2 are each a little too tall for it. Past that, it’s really all about functionality, durability and looks.
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, so at checkpoints that allow it, the laptop can go through the X-ray without coming out of the bag. 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
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:
We used to list Timbuk2’s Never Check Expandable here (as the name implies, made to be carried on a flight, never checked). Timbuk2 discontinued it, and the Authority is the pack we’d reach for instead. It’s slim and flat, which is what you want when you’re aiming for the space under a seat.
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: Barely 5.3 inches front to back, so it squeezes in where fatter bags won’t; 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 (But Might Be Pushing It a Bit)
Stepping up a bit in size, these are pushing it. The Ridge fits American’s and Frontier’s published box. The Oakley and the Pacsafe are bigger than every limit in the table, so with those you’re counting on soft sides and a relaxed gate agent, or on overhead space.
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 bag is well thought-out, balancing access and security. The current 18L version has a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve, two bottle pockets, a luggage pass-through and a hidden AirTag pocket (the USB port of the older model is gone).
And when you leave the plane? The shell is 840D ballistic nylon with a PU backing, and the zippers are YKK AquaGuard, so the walk from the terminal to the taxi in the rain isn’t a worry.
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 | Not listed | 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:
Pacsafe replaced the Metrosafe LS450 we first listed with the Metrosafe X, and kept the formula: lockable zippers, cut-resistant panels and straps, an RFIDsafe pocket and a luggage pass-through, plus a padded 16-inch laptop sleeve. None of that will stop a determined thief, but it makes your bag a lot more work to get into than the one next to it.
The side bottle pockets and internal organizers make it as good for a day of sightseeing as for the flight. It’s roomier than 25 liters sounds, and that’s the catch: at 18.9 inches tall it’s over American’s 18-inch and JetBlue’s 17-inch limits.
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?
Here’s a great option for hands-free carry that’s officially carry-on sized. Even expanded, it’s inside American’s 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on box, so it goes in the overhead bin even though it won’t go under an airplane seat.
Let’s look a little closer:
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.
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
And that’s a wrap. Not all travel backpacks are made alike and what’s 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 Ridge Commuter 18L takes it. It’s the only pick here that’s inside American’s and Frontier’s personal-item box on paper, and it’s built from 840D ballistic nylon with water-resistant zippers. It’s still too wide for United and an inch too tall for JetBlue, so if those are your airlines, go smaller. The SwissGear 1900 is the roomier choice when you know you’ll get overhead space.
Before You Go:
Backpacks that can fit under an aircraft seat are a great solution, but that’s not the only approach you can take. It’s no secret we’re big fans of messenger bags - so if you feel like taking a different approach altogether, check out Best Messenger Bags for Air Travel.
If you’re picking the rolling carry-on to go overhead, see the luggage pilots and flight attendants use. And don’t forget a travel wallet for the trip, or a way to make your bag stand out at the airport.
