Best Underseat Luggage Bags (2024 Top 9)

Last Updated on January 13, 2024 by Molly Egan

Find the best underseat luggage bag here and your perfect carry-on bag. An underseat luggage bag is a game changer for any traveler.

These days you may find yourself on an airline with baggage fees, you don’t want to pay or don’t want to fret about overhead bin space. Well, in both situations, we feel you!

If you want to utilize the overhead bins, check out our best carry-on luggage list. Many business travelers swear by a compact bag or carry-on luggage yet don’t consider under seat luggage pieces as they’d rather have more foot and leg room.

Skip to the best under seat luggage bags

What is the size of the area under the seat? It varies by plane and airline company. Use below as a reference and verify with the airline.

• 18″ wide x 16″ long x 10.5″ tall – Delta
• 17″ wide x 16″ long x 7.8″ tall – Delta
• 18.5″ wide x 13.5″ long x 8.5″ tall – Southwest
• 17″ wide x 10″ long x 9″ tall – United
• 18″ wide x 14″ long x 8″ tall – Frontier
• 18″ wide x 14″ long x 8″ tall – Spirit
• 17″ wide x 13″ long x 8″ tall – JetBlue
• 22″ wide x 14″ long x 9″ tall – Most Common

What Underseat Luggage Bag Size Should you Get?

We advise a size below 16″ wide x 12″ long x 6″ tall. Flexible bags are also known as softshell under-seat luggage bags and are nice for squeezing it all in.

The area available under seat on airlines is typically 22″ wide x 14″ long x 9″ tall; always verify with airlines as this is ever-changing and often smaller on European planes.

Hardshell or softshell luggage?

Yes, it’s a personal preference. We like softshells because it is expandable and more flexible – think “gives” more than a hardshell.

Hardside underseat luggage is typically a polycarbonate material that comes with wheels. The material prevents splitting and cracking, which is nice when at your feet!

Need backpack straps or spinner wheels?

Ask yourself a few questions: how heavy will my bag be? Is this a quick overnight? Do I want my hands free?

Quickly maneuvering with a little load is easy in a duffel or backpack bag. Recommend spinner or telescopic handled underseat luggage when you have a heavy load – yay, back relief!

What are common features of under seat carry-on bags?

Both hardshell and Softshell luggage offer external pockets, loads of packing space, water and stain-resistant materials, a hidden front pocket, and zippered compartment.

Hard shell suitcases with exterior pockets typically have four wheels which can be a discomfort than a tote bag or duffel bag.

What will fit in an underseat carry-on luggage bag?

The best travel under seat luggage bag will fit 2-3 days of clothing and accessories. Packing cubes are a great accessory to help condense and fit more items inside – find other packing tips here.

International travel can have strict restrictions on bags – whether traveling on Qatar Airlines or for a “friendiversary” – bring the right bag!

Typically the under-seat area is for your personal item bag, which is often a smaller size than the under-seat carry-on luggage bags listed here. Therefore these bags are best for short trips and business trips to smaller towns where smaller planes are used, and cabin storage is significantly smaller.

What are other carry-on luggage options?

If you need more space for your luggage on your adventure, a carry-on roller suitcase for the overhead bins is a great option! For a list of the best carry-on luggage for any trip, review this list of our top picks and our contribution to WSJ.

Top underseat luggage bag picks:

• Best Splurge: Rimowa Essential Sleeve Compact
• Essential bag: TravelPro Crew VersaPack Deluxe Tote
• Best Quality: Briggs & Riley Travel Underseat Duffel
• Best Amazon Under Seat Bag (under $75): Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On

The best underseat carry-on luggage is:

1. Rimowa – Essential Sleeve Compact
2. Travelpro – Crew VersaPack Deluxe Tote
3. Away – Large Everywhere Bag
4. Briggs & Riley – Underseat Luggage
5. Baggallini – 2-Wheel Underseat Carry-On
6. TravelPro – Maxlite5 Rolling UnderSeat Carry
7. Travelpro – Maxlite Softside Carry-On Bag with Drop-Bottom Compartment
8. Samonsite – Ascella X Softside Luggage
9. PRC Wheeled Underseat Carry-On Bag

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1. Rimowa Essential Sleeve Compact

This underseat wheel luggage bag is a compact, organized bag that feels like a larger suitcase with its spacious main compartment. The storage space is well-designed and has enough space for leisure and business travelers.

Highlights:

• TSA locks
• Spacious interior
• 360-degree spinner wheels
• Zippered pocket
• Exterior padded sleeve
• telescopic handle
• 5-year warranty
• Material: Polycarbonate
• Dimensions: 15.75″ x 16.73″ x 9.05″

Bottom Line:

The exterior’s front padded compartment is great for easy access to inflight under the airline seat. It also fits in the overhead compartments if you want to stretch those legs!

2. TravelPro Crew VersaPack Deluxe Tote

This tote bag is the best TravelPro tote for a short trip. The underseat luggage fits perfectly under your seat, and you still have space for your legs – ultimate comfort!

Highlights:

• Lightweight + Compact
• Great exterior zippered pockets
• Rear strap for stacking on roller suitcase
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Material: DuraGuard Ballistic nylon fabric
• Dimensions: 10.5″ x 18″ x 8.25″

Bottom Line:

The exterior pockets on this bag are fantastic for easy access. This bag is an essential underseat luggage bag for smaller regional planes – it will always fit whether under the airplane seats or smaller overhead bin – other luggage does not compare!

2. Briggs & Riley – Underseat Duffle

This bag is the second-best carry-on bag for a short trip – an essential overnight trip bag! The underseat luggage fits under the airline seat with space left for your feet – making air travel a breeze.

Highlights:

• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Exterior zippered pockets
• Padded pocket
• Slip-through panel for connection to roller suitcase
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Turn off yeahMaterial: DuraGuard Ballistic nylon fabric
• Dimensions: 10.5″ x 16.5″ x 11.5″

Bottom Line:

This bag is a bit boxier than the Travelpro and will fit under the seat. We pick this over the Crew VersaPack Tote – for a quick but longer trip.

This bag is great for its size and versatility – carry, roll, or strap it to your larger roller suitcase! Favorite features include the side pocket for a bottle and the laptop’s secure interior pocket!

Highlights:

• Luggage with usb port
• telescopic handle
• RFID card slot
• Spacious interior
• Padded laptop sleeve
• Rear strap for stacking on roller suitcase
• Exterior side pocket – water bottle holder
• Telescoping trolley handle
• 1-year warranty
• Material: Polyester
• Dimensions: 14.5″ x 15″ x 8.5″

Bottom Line:

This wheeled underseat bag is a great underseat luggage bag with a roomy main compartment that will still give you space for your feet!

5. TravelPro – Maxlite5 Rolling UnderSeat Carry-On

This underseat wheel luggage bag is super organized with numerous pockets. It has smooth rolling wheels and a telescoping handle which is key! A great compact bag for an overnight bag trip or quick business trip with all your essentials and laptop.

Highlights:

• Interior and exterior pockets
• telescopic handle
• Padded tablet compartment
• 360-degree spinner wheels
• Removable hanging water-resistant pocket
• Zipper pockets
• 1-year warranty
• Material: polycarbonate
• Dimensions: 17.5″ x 14.5″ x 8.5″

Bottom Line:

The hanging organizer pouch is a nice feature for a wheeled suitcase under an airplane seat – not all carry on bags have this! You can’t go wrong with luggage brands like Travelpro – one of the best.

7. Travelpro – Maxlite Softside Carry-On Bag with Drop-Bottom Compartment

This bag fits under the plane seat or in an overhead compartment. This carry-on is an essential go-to for any traveler with unique bottom organizational pockets.

Highlights:

• Front pocket with magnetic closure
• Locking pockets and compartments
• Zipper enclosure
• Easy access pockets
• Padded Shoulder Strap
• Material: Nylon Twill
• Dimensions: 15.75″ x 19″ x 9″

Bottom Line:

The bottom compartment is great for separating your shoes from clothes or isolating dirty clothes. The 10-year warranty and quality of TravelPro make this soft bag great for any flight!

8. Samonsite – Ascella X Softside Luggage

This wheeled underseat luggage bag will make your weeklong trip a breeze by fitting under the seat or in the overhead bin – if preferred.

• Exterior pocket
• Smart luggage sleeve
• Internal mesh pockets
• Inline skate wheels
• Adjustable handle
• 10-year warranty
• Material: Polyester Weave
• Dimensions: 9.25″ x 15″ x 18.5″

Bottom Line:

The luggage sleeve to place on top of a checked or another roller luggage bag is genius and a feature you will love! This Samsonite underseat carry on luggage has excellent quality, and exterior pockets will suit your travel needs well.

9. TPRC Wheeled Underseat Carry-On Bag

This wheeled underseat luggage bag has a safety feature with fabric that may at ease you during travels. This carry on is an essential go-to for any traveler.

Highlights:

• Anti-theft system
• Locking pockets and compartments
• 360-degree spinner wheels
• RFID zippered pockets
• Padded laptop sleeve
• 5-year warranty
• Material: Nylon Twill
• Dimensions: 154.5″ x 14″ x 8.5″

Bottom Line:

For underseat bags this one has many features that are must-haves; then extra security makes it a travel everywhere bag! You’ll want this bag under your seat even in a middle seat.

Best Underseat Luggage Bag Conclusion:

As you can see, there are some fabulous options for underseat carry on bags. Pick your favorite “seat bag” from this list and have a great adventure!

Major domestic airlines typically offer enough cabin bin space for your carry-on bags which is excellent because under-seat tote bags are best suited for under the seat and avoid being smashed by other carry-on bags.

A pick from below will ensure ease in travel for a roomy time on your travels!

The ultimate underseat luggage with rollers is the Away – Large Everywhere Bag

The ultimate soft-shell underseat luggage is the Travelpro – Crew VersaPack Deluxe Tote

The best-priced wheeled underseat luggage is the TravelPro – Maxlite5 Rolling UnderSeat Carry-On