Backpack – A Personal Or Carry-On Item? Learn What It Is Considered

Introduction

Are you traveling for the first time by air? If yes, then you must have several questions and thoughts crossing your mind. One of the major concerns must be about the “Backpack” whether it’s a personal item or a carry-on. Not to worry, we got you!

To brief you better about the airline norms for a backpack, let’s assume you booked Canada to India flights. In this case, you would require to know the precise details of ‘personal items’ you can carry during the travel.

A great tip is to ask or research all the important details before booking the air tickets. No matter whether you choose to buy flights to India from Canada online or from a salesperson.

Backpack – A Basic Definition from Airline Perspective

The basic difference between a backpack and a carry-on item is that a personal item is carried free of cost. So wisely pack your stuff while traveling on Canada to India flights.

In general, a backpack contains medicines, a purse, a laptop bag, a briefcase, etc. This is one of the reasons it is always near to the passenger. In addition to a backpack, you can also carry things like food, beverages, a pillow, a notepad, extra clothes (jacket, scarf, travel blanket, etc.) post-airport check-in shopping bags, etc. without paying any extra penny.

However, the size of a backpack is average like a school bag but you must always check the exact dimensions or capacity. This will help you carry the right amount of things within the airline guidelines.

Carry-On Baggage & Personal Items – Basic Difference

Carry-on bags are also known as hand luggage or cabin baggage. Basically, these bags include all the material that is carried on the plan. At airports, there are very strict policies for baggage to be followed by everyone. For instance, if you got cheap tickets to India however carrying more stuff than the standard size, then you will have to pay at the airport. However, there are basic charges for every carry-on baggage.

On the contrary, personal items, also known as backpacks, consist of needful items which are carried on the plane without paying any amount,  as mentioned above. So this is the basic difference between carry-on baggage and personal items. Another difference is that personal items are always smaller than carry-on baggage. It is always suggested to check the luggage capacity with the airlines prior to packing to save money and eliminate the hassle possibilities at the airport. Because this doesn’t matter whether you are traveling internationally from Canada to India flights or domestically. As the airline rules are must-to-follow during air travel.

Top 5 Canadian Airlines Guidelines For A Personal Item & Carry-on Baggage

These are the basic dimensions (size and weight) for carry-on baggage and personal items as stated by the top 5 Canadian airlines. Please have a look: –

Air Canada –

• Personal Item Size And Weight – In inches (17 x 13 x 6 in) or centimeters (43 x 33 x 16 cm).
• Carry-On Size And Weight – In inches (15.5 x 21.5 x 9 in) or centimeters (40 x 55 x 23 cm).

WestJet –

• Personal Item Size And Weight – 41 centimeters or 16 inches in length, by 33 centimeters or 13 inches in width, by 15 centimeters or 6 inches in height.
• Carry-On Size And Weight – 53 centimeters or 21 inches in length by 38 centimeters or 15 inches in width and 23 centimeters or 9 inches in height

Air Transat –

• Personal Item Size And Weight – a purse or briefcase, a camera bag, and a laptop.
• Carry-On Size And Weight – 9 in x 16 in x 20 in (23 cm x 40 cm x 51 cm) & 10 kg (22 lb) in Economy Class and 15 kg (33 lb) in Club Class.

Porter Airlines –

• Personal Item Size And Weight – 33 x 43 x 16 cm or (13 x 17 x 6 in)
• Carry-On Size And Weight – 55 x 40 x 23 cm or (22 x 16 x 9 in)

Flair Airlines –

• Personal Item Size And Weight – 15 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm (6 in x 13 in x 17 in) & 7 kg (15.5 lb)
• Carry-On Size And Weight – 23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm (9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in) & 10 kg (22 lb)

Now, you have a basic idea along with accurate information about the backpack, as well as carry-on baggage from top Canadian airlines. Still, we would advise you to check all the details with the airline before booking the cheapest flight tickets. As most airline companies keep updating such pieces of information from time to time.

Does A Backpack Count As A Personal Item?

The short and handy answer to does a backpack count as a personal item is yes! However, there are certain things that a passenger must know and follow before Canada to India flights. We have already mentioned all the information about a backpack or personal items during air travel. As this type of information matters a lot for air travel. Although it doesn’t matter whether you travel internationally or domestically, still you must abide by all the rules and regulations of chosen airlines.