Personal item

A personal item is a second, smaller bag that most airlines allow in addition to a carry-on, as long as it fits under the seat ahead of you rather than in the overhead bin. Typical examples are a tote, a sling bag, a small backpack or a laptop bag, and airlines are generally far less strict about enforcing personal item size than carry-on size.

Some one-bag travelers use the personal item as their only bag, which is called personal item only travel, while others use it as an extension of their main carry-on for the things they want within reach during a flight, like a phone charger, snacks, headphones or medication. Budget airlines often charge extra for a full carry-on but still allow a free personal item, which changes how people pack.

When choosing a personal item, look for one that fits comfortably under a range of airline seats, since the gap varies by aircraft, and consider whether you want it to also work as a daily bag once you land. A common mistake is packing the personal item so full that it no longer slides under the seat, which then has to be moved to the overhead bin and effectively becomes a second carry-on.