Carry-on luggage fees! Checked bags at the gate! These are just some of the surprises you can run into when traveling. Trust us, we’ve been there and share your frustration.
With the rise in popularity of the basic economy fare, more and more people are deciding to ditch the carry-on bag and travel with just a personal item. Many major airlines are including a free personal item with a basic economy ticket but it needs to fit underneath your seat in order to be allowed.
The good news is that many domestic airlines in the United States, such as American, Allegiant, Frontier, and Spirit Airlines, all share the same standard personal item size limit of 18 x 14 x 8 inches, which gives you the chance to have just one bag for multiple airlines.
In this buying guide we are going to focus on backpacks that not only fit the 18x14x8 bag requirement and have the best quality, organization and features. Our favorites are the King Kong EDGE23 for one-bag travel and the Everlane ReNew Transit backpack if you want something a bit more stylish.
Video Review
What You Need to Know About Personal Items
A personal item is any bag that can fit underneath the airplane seat in front of you. If a bag is too large to fit underneath the seat it will considered carry-on baggage and will have to placed in the overhead bin. Travelers with Basic Economy tickets, are often only allowed one personal item bag and will be charged an extra fee for any carry-on item they board with.
Below are the official links to airlines with an 18″ x 14″ x 8″ personal item size limit to help you determine the most up to date carry-on and personal item size restrictions. It’s always a good idea to double check your airline before your next trip.
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American Airlines
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Allegiant Airlines
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Delta Airlines (no official personal item size limit)
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Frontier Airlines
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Spirit Airlines
How We Tested Each Bag
Size Limit Check
We measured the bags we tested to confirm that they fit the personal item maximum dimensions of 14″ x 18″ x 8″ or under. Sometimes the bag measurements on the brand website can be off and we wanted to make sure there were no surprises.
Shown above: Fjallraven Kanken 15” and Db Hugger 20L backpacks tested in our studio
Packing Test
Our packing test is simple – how many t-shirts can fit inside the main compartment? This will give you a standard way to visualize what can fit inside and will be very useful if you plan on ditching the carry-on bag for your next trip and just bringing a personal item to take advantage of cheap basic economy tickets. We used a men’s size small t-shirt for our testing.
Tested! Backpacks 18 x 14 x 8 inches or Under
King Kong EDGE23 Backpack
King Kong has set out to design a versatile backpack that is tough enough for the gym and daily use but perfect to use as a small travel backpack when needed. In fact, we could argue this is the only small backpack for travel you’ll ever need!
The small size makes it great for those with a basic economy fare who want just one bag to pack. It includes a 15″ laptop sleeve on the outside of the bag for easy access to your tech, a trolley sleeve to attach the bag to rolling luggage at the airport and two water bottle pockets that zip shut when not in use.
The main compartment for packing opens like a suitcase and has compression straps on the outside to make sure the bag never goes over the size limit. The best part? The King Kong EDGE23 is small enough to fit underneath your airplane seat (say bye bye to a checked bag at the gate!)
Our testing: We found that the King Kong EDGE23 can fit 24 t-shirts inside the packing compartment. If overpacked, the EDGE23 can measure up to 9-inches in depth – taking it over the 8″ depth personal item size max. Don’t worry, you can use the compression straps to get the bag back down to the size limit.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 16 x 11 x 7.9 inches
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Capacity: 23L
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15″ laptop sleeve on the outside
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Opens like a suitcase for easy packing
Knack Pack Expandable Backpack Series 1
Say goodbye to baggage fees! The Knack Pack Series 1 has to be one of our favorite travel backpacks for travel thanks to its expandable travel compartment and myriad of clever travel features.
It’s the little things that make the Knack Pack it such a pleasure to use, such as lockable zippers, a trolley sleeve to attach the bag to a suitcase, and anti-microbial lining on the inside to prevent stinky smells.
The Knack Pack Series 1 comes in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. For use as an under-seat bag, we recommend going with the size Small, which can fit underneath the most airline seats when fully expanded.
Our testing: We found that the Knack Pack Series 1 Small can fit eight t-shirts inside the main compartment and an additional 20 t-shirts inside the expandable packing compartment, giving you a total of 28 t-shirts!
Although the Knack Pack offers the most packing space out of any bag on this list, it measures slightly over the 18x14x8 personal item measurements with a 9” depth (the maximum is 8”) when packed full. Just be careful not to overpack this bag, and you should have no issues fitting the Knack Pack underneath your airplane seat.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 5 inches (17 x 12 x 9 inches expanded)
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Capacity: 15-27L
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13″ laptop sleeve on the outside
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Packing compartment opens like a suitcase
Db Hugger Backpack 20L
There are so many great things to say about the Db Hugger backpack – where should we begin?
For starters, this backpack gives you 20 liters of packing space while still being small enough to stay within standard 14 x 18 x 8 bag requirements. It’s a winner already! But unlike other 20 liter bags with bulky pockets, the Hugger gives you a lot of open space just for packing making it perfect to take as your free personal item on Basic Economy flight.
One of our favorite features of the Db Hugger backpack is its top pocket, which provides quick access to small items such as headphones, chewing gum, and other flying essentials without requiring you to remove the backpack from underneath the airline seat. The Db Hugger also includes a 13″ laptop sleeve on the outside, making it easy to access your tech without having to fuss with your packing.
Our testing: The Db Hugger 20L can fit 19 t-shirts inside the main compartment and doesn’t balloon out to accidentally add more inches like other laptop backpacks when packed full. The secret weapon is Db’s Rib Cage Technology that gives the backpack its structured shape while keeping it lightweight.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17.72 x 10.63 x 5.51 inches
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Capacity: 20L
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13” padded laptop sleeve on the outside
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Large packing compartment that is lined with mesh pockets for organization
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Available in many different colors
Day Owl Backpack
The Day Owl backpack is a stylish and eco-friendly choice for people who need a personal item backpack, especially when flying with budget airlines with strict size limits. But don’t let this small backpack fool you – it’s packed with pockets and amazing features!
We love to travel with the Day Owl Backpack for its great choice of pockets. Not only do you a rear laptop compartment for easy access to your tech while flying but there are a ton of sneaky pockets sprinkled throughout the bag. Our favorites are the hidden water bottle pocket and secret pocket on the side that comes in handy for stuff like keys, phone, or a small wallet.
Our testing: The Day Owl Backpack can fit 20 t-shirts inside the main compartment. We appreciate how this backpack does a great job at holding it’s shape and not bulging out too much when packed full. However, the internal water bottle pocket will take up room inside the main compartment when used, giving you less packing space.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 5 inches
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Capacity: 21L
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Rear 16″ laptop compartment
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Sneaky pockets throughout for added security
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Trolley sleeve for attaching to rolling luggage
Everyman Hideout 5-Way Commuter Pack
The Everyman Hideout Commuter is easily the most versatile bag on this list and is the perfect option for those looking for a polished personal item bag for quick trips. This convertible backpack allows you to also wear it as a briefcase, sling pack, clutch or messenger bag. But the real win is the ability to tuck away all straps for easier under the seat storage on planes.
What makes this bag special is its two-compartment design. The front packing compartment includes waterproof packing cubes and removable compression straps for easy packing of clothing and toiletries, while the rear TSA-approved compartment gives you all the organization you need for your laptop, accessories, and smaller items.
Our testing: The Everyman Hideout 5-Way Commuter Pack can fit 20 t-shirts inside the packing compartment while staying under the 14″ 18″ x 8″ size limit when fully packed.
For an in-depth look at this bag, head over to our Everyman Hideout 5-Way Commuter review.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 6 inches
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Capacity: 18L
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TSA-approved laptop compartment with pockets for tech and small items
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Includes packing cubes for an all-in-one travel solution
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Convertible: backpack, messenger, briefcase, sling or clutch
Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 15″
The Fjallraven Kanken is a favorite amongst travelers and it’s easy to why! The Kanken is made from a tough Vinylon-F material that keeps the bag’s square shape so that you don’t have to worry about going over the personal item maximum size when stuffing it full. This is the kind of peace of mind you’ll be thankful for when bag on strict flights.
Don’t be fooled by the Kanken’s small size! Anyone traveling with a basic economy ticket on Frontier or Spirit Airlines will appreciate the wide open main compartment that can fit more than you think. This is thanks to the Kanken’s simple construction. There aren’t many pockets on the inside to take up much needed packing room.
Our testing: The Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 15 can fit 22 t-shirts inside the main packing area while still giving you the outside laptop sleeve for your tech and a pocket up front for smaller items. No matter how you pack the Kanken, it will always stay under the airline size restrictions.
If you want more packing room, we recommend going with the larger Fjallraven Kanken Laptop 17 which measures a little larger at 16.53 x 11.81 x 7.08 inches
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 15.75 x 11.03 x 6.29 inches
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Capacity: 18L
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15″ padded laptop sleeve on the outside
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Durable yet lightweight construction
Troubadour Bivy Tote Backpack
The Troudadour Bivy is a convertible backpack and tote bag that allows you to carry it how you want, when you want. We like to turn it into a tote bag to hide the shoulder straps when using it as a personal item for neat storage under the airplane seat. Trust us, it makes life easier.
Troubadour is known for their great quality backpacks and you can be sure to expect lots of pockets for organization and a high end design that is sure to turn some heads at the airport. The Bivy Tote Backpack is no exception to this rule. It gives you lots of space on the inside to pack for a short trip and must-have pockets for water bottles, small travel items and a laptop.
The fact that you can turn it into a tote bag scores some big points if you plan on using it as a daybag at your destination. Need a nice bag for dinner? This is the bag you’ll want to bring. Expecting rainy weather? No problem, the Bivy is made with water resistant materials and zippers (in fact, it’s one of our favorite waterproof backpacks for women)
Our testing: The Troubadour Bivy Tote Backpack can fit 24 t-shirts inside the main compartment making it a great option for one-bag trips. This bag does have a tendancy of ballooning when overpacking, making it wider than the stated 11-inch width but it does not go over the 18 x 14 x 8 maximum size in linear inches. In other words, even if you stuff it full, this bag can squeeze underneath the seat because it’s not structured. Was that too confusing? We hope not.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17 x 11 x 7 inches
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Capacity: 21L
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Convertible from backpack to tote bag
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Highly water resistant construction
The Ridge Commuter Weatherproof Backpack
If great organization of your travel essentials is what you need, then The Ridge Commuter Weatherproof backpack is the bag you’ll want to get. This backpack has over a dozen pockets for organizing everything from sunglasses to charging cables.
Travel-specific features include a strap for attaching to rolling luggage, exterior pockets for quick access to headphones and a laptop, and a special power bank pocket on the inside keeps your devices charged while traveling. It even has a couple of secret compartments to hide stuff like a passport, wallet and bluetooth trackers.
The size of The Ridge Commuter is perfect for major airlines and fits the size restrictions for a personal item on American Airlines, Spirit, Allegiant and Frontier Airlines. Plus, its weatherproof construction means you can use it as a daypack at your destination rain or shine.
Our testing: The Ridge Commuter backpack can fit only 11 t-shirts inside the main compartment. This backpack isn’t ideal as a packing backpack for one-bag travel but we do recommend it as a personal item to your larger carry-on bag or checked luggage.
Check out our Ridge Commuter Weatherpoof Backpack review for an in-depth look.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 6 inches
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Capacity: 20L
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15″ laptop compartment
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Highly water resistant construction
Everlane ReNew Transit
Stylish yet practical, the Everlane ReNew Transit is the perfect size if you are looking to replace a carry-on bag for packing. With 27 liters of interior space, the ReNew Transit is one of the largest backpacks we have tested under 14″H x 18″W x 8″D dimensions. Some of our favorite features include water bottle pockets both inside and outside of the bag, a separate padded laptop sleeve and plenty of exterior pockets for quick access to travel essentials.
Traveling with a checked bag? No problem. The Everlane Renew Transit even includes a pass-through strap so that you can attach it to rolling luggage for hands-free carry at airports and hotels.
Our testing: We found that the Everlane ReNew Transit can fit 24 t-shirts inside the main compartment, making it one of the roomiest backpacks we have tested while still keeping under the 14 x 9 x 18 size restrictions.
For a closer look at this backpack, head over to our Everlane ReNew Transit Backpack review.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17.5 x 12 x 7.25 inches
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Capacity: 27L
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15″ laptop sleeve
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Available in lots of stylish colors
Timbuk2 Division Laptop Backpack
Rugged, comfortable, and packed with great pockets, the Timbuk2 Division gives you everything you need to travel with confidence. The Division is our favorite laptop backpack for carrying tech on flights, thanks to its 15-inch laptop compartment and a second padded sleeve inside the main compartment that can hold a second device.
Not only does the Timbuk2 Division meet the personal item requirement of 18x14x8 for airlines like Spirit and Frontier Airlines, but it is also small enough to be used on other popular airlines, like United Airlines and JetBlue, that have stricter personal item size limits.
Our testing: Our packing test revealed that the Timbuk2 Division can fit 22 t-shirts inside the main compartment. At 22 liters, you could use the Timbuk2 Division for packing but we recommend it as a small backpack for travel essentials to compliment luggage stored in the overhead bin.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17.3 x 10.6 x 5.12 inches
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Capacity: 22L
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Weight: 2.2 lbs
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15″ padded laptop compartment
Matein Travel Laptop Backpack
Matein makes an affordable laptop backpack for both travel and daily carry that we recommend to those on a tight budget. Now, there are two versions of this backpack: the 15.6 inch and 17 inch versions. For personal item travel, get the 15.6 inch version.
Some great features you can expect from the Matein Travel Laptop backpack are lots of pockets for organization, a hidden pocket for valuables and a passport and a USB port for charging. Matein doesn’t say what the capacity of this backpack is but we guess it’s around 20-25 liters.
Our testing: The main compartment of the Matein Travel Laptop backpack can fit 22 t-shirts making it a great Spirit or Frontier Airlines personal item bag for packing to avoid additional charges. When packed full the depth of the Matein backpack is closer to the 8″ depth personal item limit but will still be compliant.
For an in-depth look at this bag, head over to our Matein Travel Laptop Backpack review.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 7.8
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Capacity: about 20-25L
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Laptop and tablet sleeves
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Built-in USB port for charging on the go
More Great 18 x 14 x 8 Personal Item Bags
Patagonia Refugio 26L Backpack
Available in a ton of fun colors with a water repellent exterior, the Patagonia Refugio 26L is the backpack you’ll want to use to pack for your trip and wear as a daypack at your destination.
When traveling, you’ll appreciate the Refugio’s “Desk Caddy” – a removable panel that includes a 15″ laptop sleeve and pockets for accessories. This feature allows you to have everything you need during your flight without having to rummage through other pockets. The stretchy side water bottle pockets and front pocket are also there to give you quick access to other travel must-haves.
With 26 liters of packing room, the Patagonia Refugio is a great option for budget airlines on trips when you are trying to maximize your packing space while avoiding additional charges. And since the Rufugio only weighs 1lb 10oz, it’s the lightweight backpack you need to stay underneath any airline weight limits.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 6.5 inches
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Capacity: 26L
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Removable padded tech sleeve
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Made of recycled materials with water repellent finish
Coofay Travel Backpack
This travel backpack is another budget find from Amazon and it has some great features for the price. It’s has with a large packing compartment in addition to a bottom pocket to store dirty laundry or shoes. Some other standout perks include a built-in USB port for charging your phone, plenty of pockets for organization and a waterproof pocket for storing toiletries.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.8 x 5.9
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Waterproof compartment for toiletries
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Seperate padded laptop pocket
Nomatic Travel Pack 14L
Nomatic is known for their amazing Nomatic Backpack for daily use but their travel packs are in a league of their own! Just like their daily laptop backpacks, the Nomatic Travel Pack is filled with lots of pockets to organize your tech and travel items. From a water bottle to a tablet and headphones – there is a spot for it.
The best feature on the Nomatic Travel Pack is its expanding main compartment. This allows you to have a enough room to pack for your trip while still having a small backpack to use at your destination. Even when fully expanded, the size of the Nomatic Travel Pack 14L still stays the maximum dimensions for a personal item on Spirit, Frontier, Allegiant and American Airlines. Now, that’s a win!
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17.5 x 11 x 5.5 inches (17.5 x 11 x 8 when expanded)
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Capacity: 14-20L
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Expandable packing compartment gives you more room when you need it
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Lots pockets for organization + 16″ laptop sleeve
Samsonite Mobile Solution Underseater Luggage
Need an 18 x 14 x 8 bag with wheels? Samsonite has you covered!
The Samsonite Spinner Underseater is a perfect match for travelers of budget airlines who want the features of large carry-on luggage but in the size that can fit underneath an airplane seat. In fact, it measures well beneath the personal item size limit of Spirit, Frontier and American Airlines for zero worries at boarding. Just like larger luggage, this underseat luggage has spinner wheels and an adjustable handle for easy carry at the airport.
Other great features include a padded laptop sleeve that can fit a 14″ PC or 15″ Macbook and outside pockets for travel items you need quick access to.
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 15 x 13.25 x 8 inches
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Padded laptop sleeve
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Spinner wheels for easy transport
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Rolling Underseat Bag
The Travelpro Maxlite 5 allows you to skip the overhead compartment and keep your luggage underneath the airplane seat thanks to its small size. Each Travelpro Maxlite comes with Travelpro’s high quality spinner wheels and an adjustable handle so you can carry it just like larger carry-on luggage.
Out of all underseat luggage, the Maxlite is one of the most feature-packed. It includes a removable toiletries bag that keeps your liquids safe from spills, a padded laptop sleeve and extra pockets for organizing your travel essentials. It even has a rear strap so that you can attach it to larger suitcases!
Features at a glance:
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Dimensions: 17.5 x 14.5 x 8.5 inches
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Padded laptop sleeve
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Spinner wheels for easy transport
More Helpful Resources
We have gathered a few helpful resources to help you get ready for your next trip. They share some tips and tricks to help those who plan traveling with just a personal item and no carry-on bag. Bon voyage!
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Points Guy: Comparing Basic Economy Fares Across U.S. airlines
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Mental Floss: 7 Packing Tips for a Basic Economy Flight
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Spirit Airlines: Baggage Allowance FAQ
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American Airlines: Basic Economy Fare Information
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Frontier Airlines: What is included in my fare? FAQ
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Delta Airlines: Basic Economy
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