Airlines restrict on-board luggage by size and weight. Airlines provide passengers with written baggage policies which vary slightly depending on the air carrier. For example, American Airlines limits passengers to one piece of on-board luggage not to exceed 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches. US Airways has the same on-board luggage size restrictions but limits the bag weight to 40 pounds. British Airways, however, offers a more generous on-board luggage size allowance.
Airport security personnel scan on-board luggage for prohibited items when you check-in for your flight. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, weapons, drugs and sharp objects. Airport security personnel confiscate prohibited items and require passengers found with such items to submit to further police investigation.
Read your airline's on-board luggage restrictions before you travel and pack your own luggage accordingly. Because airports and airlines update on-board rules and regulations regularly, not knowing restrictions could cause you to incur fines or even to miss your flight.
