Having done many months of traveling around Asia, Mexico, and Central America with only one small backpack, I can report it’s a very liberating way to travel. But can I carry more than one backpack? Or the question may be, what else can I carry as well?
Can you carry two backpacks on a plane? Not if you’re flying with a budget airline that is serious about limiting the number, weight, and measurements of your carry-on bag to only one. But… if you’re traveling with a regular airline, then the carry-on rules will allow you to take two backpacks on board.
You don’t want to be standing in the boarding lounge anxious and stressing about whether you’ll get away with it! I know how that feels. So here’s what you need to know about the rules, and then I give you some top tips for traveling light.
Your two backpacks need to fit within these rules for carry-on bags
Economy Flights
| AIRLINE | ALLOWANCE | DIMENSIONS | WEIGHT | COST |
| Southwest Airlines | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) | 24x16x10 ins (61x41x28 cm) No limit given | No Limit | Free |
| Delta Airlines | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) | 22x14x9 ins (56x36x23 cm) No limit given | No Limit | Free |
| American Airlines | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (pur1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) | 22x14x9 ins (56x36x23 cms) 18x14x8 ins (45x35x20 cms) | No Limit | Free |
| JetBlue | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) | 22x14x9 ins (56x36x23 cms) No limit given | No Limit | Free |
| United Airlines | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse or small handbag, etc) | 22x14x9 ins (56x36x23 cms) No limit given | No Limit | Free |
| Alaska Airlines | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) | 22x14x9 ins (61x43x25 cms) No limit given | No Limit | Free |
| Allegiant | 1 carry on bag 1 personal item (purse, briefcase, laptop bag) | 9x14x22 ins (23x35x56 cms) 7x15x16 ins (18x38x40 cms) | 25 lbs (11 kgs) | $18–$50 |
| Frontier Airlines | 1 carry on item 1 personal item | 18x14x8 ins (45x35x20 cms) 22x18x10 ins (56x46x25 cms) | No limit | $35–$67 |
| Spirit Airlines | 1 carry on item 1 personal item | 18x14x8 ins (45x35x20 cms) 22x18x10 ins (56x46x25 cms) | No limit | $31–$67 |
| Qantas International | 1 carry on item 1 personal item | 22x9x14 ins No limit given | 22 lbs (10 kgs) | Free |
| Virgin Atlantic Airlines | 1 carry on item 1 handbag, small backpack, pocketbook or purse. | Any Size 9x14x22 ins (23x36x56 cms.) | 22 lbs (10 kgs) | Free |
| Emirates | 1 carry on item 1 handbag, small backpack, pocketbook or purse. | 45.3 linear ins (115 cms) No limit given | 15 lbs (7 kgs) | Free |
| Air New Zealand | 1 carry on bag. 1 handbag, small backpack, pocketbook or purse. | 46.5 ins (118 cm) No limit given | 15 lbs (7 kgs) | Free |
Important carry-on information
Carry-on size is often calculated by measuring a bag’s length, width and height (including any wheels and packed away handles), then adding the three measurements together.
Your carry-on items must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat. While US airlines generally have no weight limit you should be able to lift your bag into the overhead bin on your own.
Paying for extra carry-on luggage is expensive, especially when you’re at the boarding gate and it’s too late to check it in.
Business Class Rules
Business class tickets generally give you the option to take on two large carry on bags and can be more generous in the sizes allowed. Again, please check with your airline before you fly.
You are traveling with two carry on backpacks because…
- You have a lot of luggage.
- You want to save money on the cost of checked-in luggage.
- You’ve had a bad experience, or you’re scared your luggage won’t arrive at your destination.
- You don’t like waiting at the airport luggage carousel.
Me, I love traveling with only carry on luggage only, so I can enjoy the freedom it brings.
Even carrying two backpacks can be an issue, but one solution is to put your largest on your back and then wear the smaller one on your front by putting the straps over your shoulders in the reverse direction.
This can be surprisingly comfortable as the weight is distributed evenly between your front and back. Also you can keep your most precious items in the smaller backpack which means for greater security and less chance of having it stolen or attached by a pickpocket.
3 smart hacks to save on excess baggage fees
1. Use lightweight backpacks and carry on bags
Make sure your backpack is truly lightweight. My current backpack weighs in at 3 lbs (1.4 kg) but when I buy my next one it is possible to buy one for as little 18 oz (0.5 kg).
Keep your weight down by buying a backpack no bigger than you will ever need!
The backpack I have now is great, despite being a bit heavy. Together we have completed more than 12 months full-time travel over the past 10 years. But for my next big adventure, I’ll be upgrading to a lighter weight backpack to further reduce weight.
As I get older I don’t want to give up on traveling with a lightweight backpack. There are two things I need to do to keep this option. One, further reduce the size and weight of my luggage, and two, stay fit!
I really like this one specially designed for women which you can purchase here on Amazon – The Deuter Speed Lite 24 SL.
I’ve carried up to 22 lbs (10 kgs) in this size of backpack, at a push. However, I travel much better when I keep the load on my back to less than 15lbs (7 kgs) which is the weight limit on most Asian airlines.
2. Pack your items carefully
If you’re serious about traveling light then buy the smallest of everything.
- Take a tablet – not a laptop. I have a Surface Go, which has all the functionality of a Windows laptop but half the size.
- Leave your laptop at home and use only your phone as your all-in-one device.
- Use a shampoo bar, not shampoo.
- Reduce your makeup kit to the absolute essentials.
- Buy quick-dry clothing you can wash out in the evening and dry overnight.
- Buy merino clothing, like the highly popular New Zealand brand: Icebreaker. Icebreaker merino has a fantastic ‘no stink’ quality which means it doesn’t need washing very often at all. Truly!
- Purchase clothing you can layer up for colder weather.
It takes practice to reduce your luggage down to carry on only. But the feeling of freedom is so worth it.
After you enjoy the sweet mobility and freedom that comes with traveling light, you’ll never go any other way.
Pack your bags, jackets, books, etc. inside a lightweight sack, or store inside your clothing
Pack your bags inside a bag. I carry a large, lightweight, foldable shopping sack like this one from Amazon and use it to carry all your small items, such as my handbag, laptop, tablet, book, etc. Just make sure it falls within the allowable dimensions and you’ll be okay as it’s only one bag.
Wear your items! You can buy specially designed vests and jackets with multiple pockets that stores your iPad, passport, phone etc. Here’s a popular one you can get on Amazon.
Things to avoid with carry on luggage
- Don’t carry any of the prohibited items including liquids over 3.4 oz (100 ml). Check your airline or TAS website for a full list.
- Make your gear appear as compact as you can. That’s where using a large, lightweight sack comes in really handy.
- Avoid going over the dimension and weight allowances.
- Save your stress and money by abiding by the rules of the airline. If you have too much luggage then check it in.
On your trip you’ll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had. (Rick Steves)
So… as long as you only take two carry-on bags on a flight, and you comply with the airline’s rules, then they can both be backpacks. Happy travels.