Typically airlines limit the weight of the bags you put under the plane, and your carry-on itself but there is a bag that you bring on the plane which is typically NOT weighed.
These bags are known as “Personal items” and they range from a large purse to a medium size backpack to a laptop bag. Today we are ignoring the instinct to just have a simple small bag as your personal item on the plane and instead, we are focusing on maximizing the space and weight of what we can bring in that bag without causing the airline to raise questions.
If you’re looking for the best carry-ons of 2023, then follow that link instead of reading this page.
Maximizing the space your personal item can hold
You have a carry-on bag that goes on the plane with you, and then there is your personal item. Officially, personal items are intended to fit under the seat in front of you on the plane. Sadly, the airlines do not well define what a personal item can be and they can reject your personal item if it does not fit underneath the seat in front of you. I do note that having an airline reject your personal item is a rare occurrence, so just be reasonable and choose something that would fit.
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The Best: The best airline personal item of 2023
Top Pick: The Rangeland Travel Backpack
The reason why I chose this bag as “the best” is because it completely maximizes the amount of space that will fit easily underneath the seat in front of me. This personal item is soft-sided and can be folded up, has backpack straps that can be tucked in, and also has the ability to be hooked securely onto your carry-on handle as you walk around the airport. Better yet, it has a hidden protected pocket right up against the back of it to hold your laptop or other devices. with a design that looks like it is meant to be a personal item.
Top 3: Offers a lot of space, hooks onto your carry-on, and built-in laptop sleeve
Top Pick: The Rangeland Travel Backpack
Runner Up: Hap Tim Travel Backpack
Runner Up: Ham Tim Travel Backpack
If you’re a bit more tech-focused as you travel, this is a great bag to use as your personal item. It too offers a lot of inside space to work with but adds a good number of quick access pockets to the outside giving you a greater ability to grab that snack or cord more easily. Moreover, it provides excellent laptop protection, a headphone wire pass through – which could be used to charge your phone more securely as well as a way to hook it onto your carry-on handle. I note that the way that it hooks onto the handle appears less secure than other bags, so perhaps plan to keep this on your back. Regardless this is an excellent choice for a personal item n 2023
Top 3: Your technology is well protected, with big soft shoulder straps and lot’s of quick access pockets
Runner Up: Ham Tim Travel Backpack
Notable Mention: Arxus Travel Duffle Bag
Notable Mention: Arxus Travel Duffle Bag
The reason why this one made the list is that while it can fit a whole lot in it, it can also fold down and be stored away without taking up extra space. This bag is extremely lightweight which is always welcome in an airport and has an excellent strap for holding it securely on your carry-on handle and is amazingly durable and cheap! Which makes it a great option if you like to bring extra souvenirs back home.
Notable Mention: Arxus Travel Duffle Bag
That’s it for our round-up of the best personal items to bring on a plane in 2023. Have a good flight
