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Last updated on February 20th, 2024

You’re planning for a flight, and you’re wondering, “Do laptop bags count as a carry-on?” For 99% of the time, laptop bags do not count as a carry-on. In fact, the laptop bag is a personal item that fits under the airplane seat in front of you. Unless you use a backpack that is over 35 liters in volume as your laptop bag, then you can confidently fly with your laptop bag without excess baggage fees, which are common with budget airlines.

I often bring a carry-on suitcase and my Lowepro BP 400 AW (36 liters) as my laptop bag onboard a flight. Luckily, the Lowepro bag fits under the seat.

Furthermore, it’s a good idea not to store your laptop in checked luggage due to the probability of it being destroyed by an airline’s mishandling.

Many people believe you can’t put a laptop in checked luggage, but that’s not true, some airlines and airport authorities allow it, but not as common anymore. However, airlines advise against it for obvious reasons. Technically, the lithium battery in a laptop is hazardous, but at the same time secured by the laptop. Therefore, it’s always recommended to bring your laptop with you into the cabin in your carry-on luggage or personal item bag.

To better protect your laptop while in transit, you may want to consider buying a cabin bag with a secure laptop compartment.

Do Laptop Bags Count as Carry-On?

Do Laptop Bags Count as Carry-On? Woman placing laptop in messenger bag.

Depending on the size of the laptop bag, it can count as either a carry-on (cabin) bag or a personal item, but not both at the same time.

For example, if you have a laptop messenger bag or a backpack that fits under the seat in front of you, then it’s considered a personal item.

If you have a normal-sized carry-on suitcase or backpack with your laptop in it that can’t fit under the seat and must be stored in the overhead cabin compartment, it’s considered a carry-on bag or luggage.

Laptop bags count as either a carry-on or a personal item, but not both.

If you only bring your laptop into the airplane cabin while holding it in your hand, the airline won’t count it against your hand luggage (carry-on or personal item).


Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bring a laptop bag and a carry-on?

In most cases, you’re allowed to bring both a laptop bag and a carry-on on a flight. To ensure you don’t have any problems or encounter excess baggage fees, the laptop bag should fit under the seat in front of you.

What is a TSA-approved laptop bag?

A TSA-approved laptop bag supposedly adheres to Transportation Security Administration guidelines, which allows passengers to pass through TSA security checkpoints without having to remove the laptop from the bag.

Unfortunately, a TSA-approved laptop bag is more of a marketing term because TSA guidelines state laptops need to be removed from the bag and placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening unless you have TSA PreCheck.

A better term would be a TSA-friendly laptop bag, which allows easy access and removal of your laptop from the bag.

Do you have to remove your laptop from your bag at the TSA airport screening?

Air security screening is a critical part of ensuring that our airports are protected. To comply with security standards, the TSA requires that laptops be removed from your bag and placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening.

This helps transportation security officers clearly assess any potential security threats, allowing for more efficient security procedures. Taking just a few moments to remove your laptop from your bag at the airport security checkpoint can help assure everyone’s safety and security.

Can I have two carry-on bags?

In most cases, airlines only allow one carry-on on a flight. In addition, many budget airlines don’t allow even one carry-on without paying an extra fee.

Fortunately, for those in premium economy or business class, two carry-ons are allowed onboard in many instances. The benefit of having an extra bit of storage space on longer flights is that it allows you to have all the amenities you need without any extra surprises caused by not having enough space. If you want to travel with ease, consider upgrading and taking advantage of the perk that comes with it — 2 carry-on bags.

Can you bring two laptops on an airplane?

If you’re gearing up to travel and are in dire need of multiple laptops, fear not. Flying with two or more of your laptops is perfectly acceptable.

As long as you don’t bring an overabundance of devices, you’ll be able to enjoy the convenience of having two laptops for work or pleasure without worrying about breaching etiquette or air traveler regulations.

Many airlines have policies on the maximum number of pieces each passenger can bring on board — typically a limit of two bags (personal item and cabin bag) — but most don’t make any specification as to what can’t be in them.

As long as it fits on board and you’re able to transport all necessary gadgets through security comfortably, having one extra laptop in your mix should be no problem at all. The key is time management: making sure that you plan ahead so that you arrive at the check-in counter with ample time to check in your luggage and go through security before boarding gates close. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Vincent Croos
About the Author: Vincent Croos

Hola Parceros,

I’m the founder of Aperlust. I enjoy web development and SEO and am into snowboarding and linguistics. In my spare time, you can find me destroying my opponents in chess across the globe.

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