10 Best Underseater Luggage for Budget Flights in 2024

Last updated on December 5th, 2023

Many experienced travelers agree: packing light is packing well — it’s also cheaper. By flying with the best underseater luggage, you can save on excess airline baggage fees, especially since many low-cost airlines charge for a carry-on bag.

Underseater luggage is becoming the ideal tool for bringing along all your essentials. 

Luckily, all it takes to bring together all your necessities in an efficient manner is well-organized and intentionally designed under-seat luggage.

What is Underseat Luggage?

Underseater luggage is any piece of luggage that you can bring with you onboard an airplane. It can be considered either a carry-on or a personal item, depending on the chosen airline flight requirements.

In the booming business and leisure travel, personal travel luggage needs to keep up with demand. Convenience and efficiency have become key factors in traveler’s luggage options, and brands have been able to deliver.

When picking an underseater luggage, here are some key features to consider:

Size: If you’re going to travel for a few days and decide that one bag, backpack, or suitcase should be enough for the whole trip, the luggage needs to use space efficiently. Some pro travelers can extend their carry-on luggage to a week.

Organization: Pockets and zippers galore aren’t the marks of organized luggage, but excellent construction and design of these elements will help leave space in your luggage for travel essentials — and help you remember where to find each item.

Security: Carrying your items with you at all times can put your mind at ease rather than sending them off to be locked in cargo with other large luggage pieces. You also need to be careful of thieves and other unfortunate incidents.

The 10 Best Underseater Luggage in 2024

Are you ready to bring your essentials with you all around the world? Read our favorite under-the-seat luggage and get ideas for your next adventure. We’ve split the list into three types to make sure you get the baggage suited to your style.

Best Underseat Luggage with Wheels for Carry-On Travel

This variety is suitable for people who still want to carry around a fair amount of luggage but aren’t looking for a back-breaking experience. These underseater luggage with wheels will make traveling around pain-free.

1. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Rolling Underseat Carry-on

Introducing the Travelpro Luggage Maxlite 5 Softside Lightweight Rolling Underseat Compact Carry-On.

This compact, lightweight luggage piece is designed to fit snugly under most airline seats, making it the ideal choice for frequent flyers and business travelers.

Crafted from durable polyester fabric with water and stain-resistant coating, this bag offers longevity and peace of mind during travels. Its ultra-lightweight design allows you to pack more without worrying about exceeding airline weight limits.

This carry-on features a well-organized front compartment with multiple pockets, perfect for storing your travel essentials like passports, tickets, and small electronics. The interior boasts a spacious main compartment with a removable quart-sized wet pocket for toiletries, adjustable tie-down straps to keep your clothes neatly packed, and a high-tensile-strength zipper for secure closure.

The Travelpro Maxlite 5 also comes with a PowerScope Lite handle that locks at 38″ and 42.5″ for users of different heights, and high-performance ball bearing wheels ensure a smooth and effortless roll. The bottom tray design increases durability and stabilizes wheels for trouble-free use and stowage.

2. Samsonite Spinner Underseater with USB Port

A fusion of style, functionality, and innovation designed for the modern traveler.

This compact carry-on bag is carefully designed to fit under most airline seats, ensuring your essentials are always within reach during your journey. Made from durable 100% polyester material, this bag is built to last, resisting wear and tear from frequent travel.

The Samsonite Underseat Carry-On features a unique spinner design with multi-directional wheels for smooth and effortless mobility. The integrated telescopic handle allows easy maneuverability, making navigating through busy airports a breeze.

One of the standout features of this carry-on is the built-in USB port. This allows you to charge your devices on the go, so you never have to worry about running out of battery during your travels. Note that a power bank is not included and needs to be purchased separately.

You’ll find a well-organized interior with multiple compartments to keep your belongings neat and accessible. There’s a dedicated pocket for your tablet or laptop and smaller pockets for your travel documents, reading materials, and other essentials.

The Samsonite Underseat Carry-On Spinner with USB Port combines practicality with modern technology, offering a seamless travel experience.

3. TPRC Smart Underseat Carry-On Luggage with USB Charging Port

Crafted with durable polyester material, this compact carry-on luggage is robust enough to withstand the rigors of travel. Its 15-inch size is designed to fit perfectly under most airline seats, allowing you to keep your essentials close at hand throughout your journey.

The TPRC Smart Under Seat Luggage stands out with its built-in USB charging port. This feature allows you to stay connected by keeping your devices charged on the move. The power bank is not included and must be purchased separately.

Navigating through crowded airports is made effortless with its easy-rolling in-line skate wheels. Coupled with a sturdy telescopic handle, moving around with your luggage has never been more seamless.

Inside, this bag offers a smartly designed interior featuring multiple compartments. These allow for the efficient organization of your belongings. There’s a dedicated pocket for your gadgets and additional pockets for your travel documents and other necessities.

The exterior of the TPRC Smart Under Seat Carry-On Luggage boasts a sleek design that doesn’t compromise functionality. It includes a side pocket for quick access to items like your boarding pass or passport.

4. Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage Bag

A compact yet surprisingly spacious travel is essential. With 13.39 x 9.45 x 14.17 inches, this bag is designed to fit comfortably in most airline overhead compartments and under the seat in front of you.

Made from durable 600D polyester, this 14-inch rolling luggage bag is built to withstand the rigors of frequent travel. Its convenient carry-on size allows easy maneuverability while the wheels ensure a smooth, effortless glide.

The bag’s exterior features a stylish quilted design available in various colors, adding a touch of elegance to your travel gear. Inside, the bag offers ample space to store your travel essentials.

One of the standout features of this bag is its affordability. Despite its high-quality construction and design, the Amazon Basics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage Bag is priced competitively, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.

5. American Tourister 4 Kix Rolling Tote

The American Tourister 4 Kix underseater luggage is made from durable 600D polyester, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of frequent travel. The bag’s soft-sided design allows for extra packing room while still fitting in most airline overhead compartments and under airplane seats.

One of the critical features of this bag is its expandability. The main compartment expands to provide additional packing capacity, making it ideal for those longer trips or last-minute souvenir purchases.

The American Tourister 4 Kix also boasts multi-directional spinner wheels for effortless mobility. These wheels allow you to navigate crowded airports and narrow airplane aisles easily. Coupled with a push-button locking handle, your journey will be as smooth as possible.

Inside, you’ll find a well-organized interior with cross straps to secure your belongings and a mesh pocket for smaller items. The bag’s exterior includes two front pockets for quick access to travel documents or other essentials.

Best Backpack Underseat Luggage for Carry-on Only Flights

Backpacks are definitely more intimate items that can fit less, but ensure you can bring them on the plane. If you are more comfortable having a cautious approach with your travel items and don’t mind the weight on your back, this option is for you.

1. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Laptop Backpack

If you use a large 15″ laptop, then you know that comfort and size are key when it comes to backpacks. Thankfully, this Travelpro underseat backpack will fulfill a smart backpack’s expectations — appearing quite sleek but holding a good number of luggage items. You even have dedicated pockets for water bottles, umbrellas, and gadgets that lend to easy organization and access before, during, and after your flight.

Features include a padded laptop and tablet sleeve that provides security and protection for your essential gadgets, technology-focused organizational compartments for your devices, peripherals, cables, and adjustable straps for maximum comfort.

2. Matein Mlassic Travel Laptop Backpack

If you prefer functionality over form, this plain and straightforward laptop backpack should be enough for your needs. It comes in 15″ and 17″ laptop options, so you know you are covered.

The backpack has three separate zippered compartments that separate small accessories, main luggage, and laptop all in one form factor. The organizing possibilities of this backpack will delight meticulous travelers.

Features include anti-theft lockable zipper heads for safety, a hidden pocket for the security of your documents and other important items, and an external USB port for convenient charging on-the-go.

3. BRINCH Laptop Backpack

If a more casual fit is more your style, this backpack from BRINCH could be your best bet. It has a friendly and easy-going casual look that may be light on the pockets but goes all-in on minimalist style.

This backpack is roomy and opens wide, allowing you to organize and find your items quickly. The backpack framework also adds to its sturdy form, making it easy to squeeze and fit belongings wherever you need.

Features include a water-repellant, sturdy nylon material that comes in various colors and prints, a framed wide-open design that makes your belongings accessible, and a USB charging port to make sure you’re always powered.

Best Underseat Duffle Luggage

This form factor is a classic option for those who want something in between the capacity of rolling luggage and a backpack’s security.

1. Travelpro Maxlite 5 Soft Tote

Totes are some of the most hardworking bags in the travel industry. Travelpro designed one to take advantage of carry-on and personal item airline restrictions.

Despite being a soft tote, it has a sturdy form factor with water and stain-resistant polyester material. You don’t have to worry about shoving it under the plane seat. Furthermore, you can rest easy about long-term travel comfort because of the padded, adjustable shoulder straps.

Features that you will love include a variety of color options for personalization, a simplified front-access flap for all your travel documents, and a roomy, lined interior that you can stuff with your travel essentials to your heart’s content.

2. Aerolite Carry On Hand Luggage Duffle Bag

This budget option personal item was designed to fit all budget airlines easily and help you save additional luggage fees. The roomy interior and almost negligible weight help you stuff all your essentials and still have spare space for overseas shopping.

The included luggage strap and adjustable shoulder strap help you maximize your comfort. Notorious airlines with steep luggage fees won’t be able to say no to this helpful travel duffle.

Features that you will love include a lightweight form factor that won’t get in the way of your airline’s strict weight restrictions, a front zip pocket for your travel documents and other gadgets, and strong zippers that can be secured with the provided padlock.

Underseat Luggage Dimensions from Major Airlines

• Air Canada – 17 x 13 x 6 in (43 x 33 x 16 cm)
• Air France–KLM – 16 x 12 x 6 in (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
• American Airlines – 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 35 x 20 cm)
• British Airways – 18 x 14 x 8 in (45 x 36 x 20 cm)
• Delta Airlines – not explicitly stated but personal item is allowed and should fit under the seat, use other airlines’ dimensions as a guideline
• Emirates – not explicitly stated at all for personal items or under the seat luggage
• Lufthansa – 16 x 12 x 4 in (40 x 30 x 10 cm)
• United Airlines – 17 x 10 x 9 (43 x 25 x 22 cm)
• Qantas Airways – not explicitly stated but personal item is allowed and should fit under the seat, use other airlines’ dimensions as a guideline
• Qatar Airways – not explicitly stated but personal item is allowed and should fit under the seat, use other airlines’ dimensions as a guideline

Conclusion

We hope our review of the best underseat luggage will help you choose the right carry-on bag for you.

The ability to smoothly store your carry-on bag under the seat in front of you will make travel comfortable and hassle-free. You also don’t have to worry about lifting heavier bags into the overhead cabin.

In addition, many travel enthusiasts fly carry-on only due to the ease of travel — it’s the best way for air travel.