Best Underseat Luggage

10 Best Underseat Luggage in 2023 – Buyer’s Guide

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People rely more and more on overhead space, due to higher fees on checked luggage. Stop getting your carry-on inspected at the airport or competing for space overhead by maximizing your luggage underneath. You would either have a close fit or may have to search for another alternative as flights operate at maximum capacity. That is where an underseat luggage is a lifesaver. These bags slip into an easy reach under the seat in front of you for everything you may need while flying.

A significant note on the measurements of underseat luggage: each airline has its own guidelines for what constitutes a personal item and what you can add to the fare of an economy. Unfortunately, the question “how large is the room under an airplane seat” is not uniformly addressed, but the easiest way to know is by consulting with the airline itself.

In a Hurry? The test winners after 9 hrs of research

Samsonite Upright Wheeled Carry-On Underseater

Samsonite Upright Wheeled Carry-On Underseater – Premium Pick

Why is it better?

  • Well made, good design and reliable luggage
  • Lightweight and study handle
  • A lot of side pockets for misc items
  • Easy to pack

AmazonBasics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage

AmazonBasics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage – Best Value

Why is it better?

  • Nicely made handle that is very lightweight
  • The design of the zippers for the main compartment allows it to work/open under a seat for easy access during the flight
  • The toiletries bag is removable and very well made
  • The fabric seams as though it will hold up well over time

Best Underseat Luggage – Overview

An underseat luggage makes it easier for everyone to ride, and it sure beats squeezing an odd-shaped bag or suitcase under the seat and praying your valuables not get smashed in the process. If you’re planning to travel overseas, this is also the best underseat luggage for international travel, as those airlines are more stringent in carrying requirements. The ease and accessibility of keeping your essential things nearby would be worth the cost of a little legroom.

Underseat Luggage Reviews

1. Samsonite Upright Wheeled Carry-On Underseater – Premium Pick

Samsonite Upright Wheeled Carry-On Underseater

Introducing a line built to take the harshest travel elements! The Samsonite Upright Wheeled Carry-On Underseater is a combination of Polyester and Nylon fabrics for durability. Nylon is a high strength, durable material with excellent wear properties, ensuring your luggage looks as great on the 100th trip as it does on the first. Extremely light and visually impactful, this collection takes travel design to the next level.

Zippered compartment allows you to separately pack damp or soiled items. Removable 3-1-1 pouch and removable, hanging organizer pouch. Luggage designed to fit in most airline overhead compartments; may not conform to some airline’s carry-on standards. The retractable handle provides easy maneuverability when extended out from the suitcase, and stores neatly inside when not in use. Locks in place in both the fully extended and stored positions for secure traveling. Love Samsonite? Check out our review of the best Samsonite luggage for our top picks.

Key Features:

  • Inline skate wheels
  • Push-button locking handle
  • Wetpak zippered compartment
  • Quick stash exterior pockets

Specifications:

  • Brand: Samsonite
  • Dimensions: 16.5″ H x 13″ W x 9.25″ D
  • Weight: 5.5 lbs
Pros
  • Well made, good design and reliable luggage
  • Lightweight and study handle
  • A lot of side pockets for misc items
  • Easy to pack
Cons
  • Don’t pack it too full in front pocket

2. AmazonBasics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage – Best Value

AmazonBasics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage

Travel in savvy style with the AmazonBasics Underseat Carry-On Rolling Travel Luggage. Compact in size, the luggage provides useful storage space, a telescoping handle, and smooth-rolling wheels. From an over-night business trip or weekend getaway to a fun family vacation, the high-quality, durable luggage makes getting there and back a breeze.

The luggage unzips to reveal a roomy main compartment, which works well for clothing and a spare pair of shoes. Several interior pockets make it possible to keep smaller items like toiletries neatly organized and easy to find. Keep travel essentials instantly accessible thanks to the handy front organizer. Equipped with in-line skate wheels, the luggage transports effortlessly from point A to point B, and anywhere in between. The rolling luggage makes a great alternative to heavy backpacks or handheld suitcases. You may also like our guide for the best checked luggage.

Key Features:

  • Spacious main compartment
  • Interior pockets for smaller items
  • Easy-access front organizer
  • Telescoping handle
  • Smooth-rolling wheels
  • Polyester exterior with polyester lining

Specifications:

  • Brand: AmazonBasics
  • Capacity: 22L
  • Dimensions: 13.3″ H x 9.4″ W x 14.1″ D
  • Weight: 4.7 lbs
Pros
  • Nicely made handle that is very lightweight
  • The design of the zippers for the main compartment allows it to work/open under a seat for easy access during the flight
  • The toiletries bag is removable and very well made
  • The fabric seams as though it will hold up well over time
Cons
  • The side access panels and front pocket do not fit much

3. DELSEY Paris Rolling Underseat Tote Bag

DELSEY Paris Rolling Underseat Tote Bag

Carry your essentials for in-flight travel inside this stylish quilted tote bag from Delsey. The DELSEY Paris Rolling Underseat Tote Bag is made from durable polyester fabric and features a diamond quilted pattern with multiple pockets for organization, dual top handles for hand toting, a retractable top handle, and smooth-rolling in-line skate wheels.

This tote has a roomy main compartment with a foam padded pocket that offers protective storage for your iPad or tablet, interior pockets to organize toiletries, personal items, and small accessories, and side pockets to hold water bottles or magazines. A slip-through band on the back allows this bag to be slipped over the handles of your upright luggage.

Key Features:

  • Smart Band to slide over trolley tubes
  • In-line skate wheels
  • Easy access front organizer
  • Interior pockets

Specifications:

  • Brand: DELSEY Paris
  • Dimensions: 14″ H x 9″ W x 14.5″ D
  • Weight: 5.56 lbs
Pros
  • Very roomy and surprisingly light
  • Rolls on its wheels very well
  • Easily fits in the overhead bin
  • This bag seems solidly made, and tough
Cons
  • The mesh pocket on the outside really isn’t a water bottle pocket

4. High Sierra Endeavor Business Travel Underseat

High Sierra Endeavor Business Travel Underseat

This High Sierra Endeavor Business Travel Underseat is designed to fit under an airplane seat or in most airlines overhead compartments; perfect for the business traveler who likes to get on and off the plane with ease. Has a built-in fully padded compartment designed to carry your laptop.

An extendable, retractable, push-button locking handle provides easy maneuverability when extended out from the laptop bag with wheels, and stores neatly inside when not in use; locks in place in both fully extended and stored positions. Extra features include molded front pockets, expandable zippered side shoe pocket doubles as interior divider panel, and zippered mesh pocket.

Key Features:

  • Molded front pockets add protection for valuables
  • Expandable zippered side shoe pocket doubles as an interior divider panel
  • Internal zippered mesh pocket
  • Premium organizer with multiple pockets and key fob
  • Smooth-rolling in-line skate wheels and extendable

Specifications:

  • Brand: High Sierra
  • Dimensions: 17.25″ H x 12″ W x 7.75″ D
  • Weight: 6.1 lbs
Pros
  • Looks very durable
  • The back is open so that the handle of a suitcase can go right through
  • The zippers are not metal but are of decent quality and open and shut easily
  • The grab handle is nicely padded
Cons
  • Zippers can be a little tight at first

5. Aerolite Carry On Underseat Luggage

Aerolite Carry On Underseat Luggage

The Aerolite Carry On Underseat Luggage is the perfect travel companion as your personal item along with your main carry on luggage. These fit nicely under the seat of all airlines, and offer you the flexibility to carry with the top handle or shoulder strap. The back strap which conveniently slides down the handles of your suitcase trolley handles, meaning you can carry both your main carry on luggage and your underseat bag with great comfort.

Adjustable shoulder strap means you can carry your bag on your shoulder, or by using the top tug handle. Dual zip design to lock your zips together in order to prevent the bag from being opened by non-key holders. The bag will fit 13″ laptops and below, making accessing them during your flight very convenient. You can pair this bag with the perfect carry-on travel backpack in our arsenal.

Key Features:

  • Adjustable shoulder carry strap
  • Extra zip pocket on the front 
  • Smooth heavy duty zippers
  • Supplied key padlock

Specifications:

  • Brand: Aerolite
  • Capacity: 19L
  • Dimensions: 16″ H x 10″ W x 8″ D
  • Weight: 1.1 lbs
Pros
  • Has one nice zippered pocket on the front
  • Has a handle as well as an adjustable shoulder strap
  • This bag is designed to be the largest that fits in the new smaller under-seat spaces
  • There is a flat compartment on the front of the bag that is useful for storing travel papers
Cons
  • No inside pocket

6. Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Carry-On Luggage

Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Carry-On Luggage

The Rockland Melrose Upright Wheeled Underseater Carry-On Luggage is made with a quilted polyester fabric exterior. It features a large main compartment for clothes and shoes, with 2 mesh pockets and 2 zippered pockets for organizing small essentials. Retractable handle stores away, while grip handles allow for quick retrieval from the overhead bin or under your seat. The back strap attaches to your wheeled carry on piece.

Carry all your essentials in style and comfort with the wheeled undersea carry on bag. The perfect bag for overnight trips and the small size fits underneath most airline seats allowing you to carry on your bag even when overhead bins are full. Don’t forget to check out our guide on the best spinner luggage.

Key Features:

  • Large main compartment
  • Inline skate wheels
  • Slip pockets & zippered clear pocket interior
  • Full lining with retractable handle

Specifications:

  • Brand: Rockland
  • Dimensions: 15″ H x 9″ W x 14″ D
  • Weight: 4 lbs
Pros
  • Wheeled easily
  • Retractable handle works well
  • The additional outside pocket is perfect for your cell phone, passports, money, credit cards, and documents
  • There are two inside side pockets, and a wet pocket on the inside zipped cover
Cons
  • Because the whole bag isn’t structured, the tracks for the zippers is not always easy to follow

7. Steve Madden Luggage Wheeled Suitcase Under Seat Bag

Steve Madden Luggage Wheeled Suitcase Under Seat Bag

The perfect carry-on bag for airline travel and small enough to be your underseat personal item on major airlines; The lightweight construction of the Steve Madden Luggage Wheeled Suitcase Under Seat Bag makes airport travel a breeze. You can easily drag this 2-wheeled backpack along with the airport with its ergonomic handle providing easy maneuverability and relieve any pressure from your arms while on the move.

Fully lined interior and multiple interior and exterior packing compartments make this an ideal bag for a variety of your travel needs. Features a large main U shape opening giving you full access to all interior belongings. This piece is packed with functionality, plenty of zippered storage compartments, a telescopic handle system, and inline skate wheels to help maneuver through crowded areas. Best of all, it fits right underneath the seat!

Key Features:

  • U shape opening
  • Plenty of zippered storage compartments
  • Telescopic handle system
  • Inline skate wheels

Specifications:

  • Brand: Steve Madden
  • Dimensions: 14″ H x 9″ W x 15″ D
  • Weight: 5 lbs
Pros
  • Telescoping handle works great
  • Lots of pockets and storage
  • This piece is very well made and attractive
  • It rolls easily
Cons
  • Sometimes when walking fast the bag can go wonky and tip on one wheel then the other

8. American Tourister 4 Kix Expandable Softside Luggage

American Tourister 4 Kix Expandable Softside Luggage

The American Tourister 4 Kix Expandable Softside Luggage weighs in at just 7 pounds and is easy to pack. The large interior compartment and exterior packing pockets offer plenty of room for everything you need for a 2-3 day adventure. Meeting most airline requirements for carry on sizing, the 4 Kix carry on spinner suitcase makes travel a breeze with its ease of mobility and compact yet roomy style.

Wider pull handle combines to provide an exceptionally comfortable grip. Integrated, multi-stage aluminum pull handle for extra lightness. Retracting top and side carry-handles remain protected when checking baggage. This lightweight line offers heavyweight protection riding on effortless 360 degree Spinner Wheels. Traveling to Europe? Don’t worry, we got the perfect carry-on luggage to pair up with your underseat luggage.

Key Features:

  • Expand 1.5″, single airflow skate wheels
  • Color pop interior with cross straps and large diagonal blouse pocket
  • Easy-grip soft co-molded zipper pulls with sonic welded logo
  • Takes functional and thoughtful design to a higher level

Specifications:

  • Brand: American Tourister
  • Dimensions: 18″ H x 14″ W x 8″ D
  • Weight: 6.14 lbs
Pros
  • The handle is sturdy and feels substantial
  • The main compartment opens into one large storage area
  • Swivel wheels
  • Color is nice
Cons
  • Zippers are kind of tough (stiff) to close

9. Rangeland Underseat Carry-On Backpack Luggage

Rangeland Underseat Carry-On Backpack Luggage

This Rangeland Underseat Carry-On Backpack Luggage is durable yet lightweight, made of 100% Polyester for a heat-resistant, wrinkle-resistant, and dust-resistant luggage backpack. Designed with padded adjustable shoulder straps with high permeability to decrease the amount of sweat and allow you to carry your Rangeland Backpack for extended periods of time. Its back trolley straps allow you to attach it to your luggage when on vacation, as well as 4 compression straps that close tight to keep your daypack compact and sleek

The main compartment of this Rangeland Backpack includes 1 velcro pocket, 2 pen pockets, 2 slip pockets, and More. Also, the main compartment has X-shaped garment restraints as well as a zippered padded compartment that can hold a laptop. The backpack accessory pockets are perfect for keeping pens, keys, wallet, phone, portable charger and more organized when not in use – Front nylon strap is ideal for attaching carabiner keychains as well

Key Features:

  • Breathable back panel
  • Main compartment opens all the way up
  • Padded laptop pocket
  • Made of sturdy polyester material

Specifications:

  • Brand: Rangeland
  • Dimensions: 17″ H x 5.25″ W x 12″ D
  • Weight: 1.3 lbs
Pros
  • The front pocket vertical zipper is on the left side
  • The handle is comfortable
  • Flattens well for packing into a larger backpack or suitcase for travel
  • This bag is lightweight, comfortable, and has a strap on the back for attaching to the suitcase
Cons
  • The material and zippers seem just “ok” quality

10. Travelpro Maxlite 5-Lightweight Underseat Carry-On Travel Tote Bag

Travelpro Maxlite 5-Lightweight Underseat Carry-On Travel Tote Bag

The Travelpro Maxlite 5-Lightweight Underseat Carry-On Travel Tote Bag is compact, stackable, and extremely lightweight. The Maxlite 5 soft tote is the perfect under-seat carry on for personal essentials or a small all-in-one suitcase for short excursions. Organized travel is simplified with a quick-access front flap, roomy interior, and built-in pockets for everything from electronics to accessories.

Unobtrusive rear strap fits around the extension handle of a Rollaboard or spinner suitcase for secure stacking and hands-free mobility. This Fit to Fly carry-on spinner has been sizer been tested to accommodate overhead bin space on most major US airlines. Backed by Travelpro’s Limited Lifetime Coverage plus a new and expanded “Trusted Companion Promise”, which covers the cost of repair for damage from airline or other common carriers for 1 year.

Key Features:

  • Polyester fabric with stain-resistant
  • Ergonomic, high tensile strength zipper pulls
  • Removable padded shoulder strap
  • Built-in pockets

Specifications:

  • Brand: Travelpro
  • Capacity: 28L
  • Dimensions: 18″ H x 11″ W x 8″ D
  • Weight: 1.6 lbs
Pros
  • The material is resilient yet light
  • The zippers are very smooth
  • Pockets are simply made to work
  • The inside of the bag is a lot more spacious than you’d think
Cons
  • If the tote is not packed to be pretty full then it tends to go limp

Buying Guide

Size

Airlines have different measurements of their seats. We did some research at various airlines on the average dimensions of underseat areas. Check the following:

Alaska Airlines 17″ x 11″ x 9.5″
Allegiant Air 16″ x 15″ x 7″
American Airlines 18 x 14 x 8
Delta Airlines 21″ x 15″ x 16″
Frontier Airlines 14″ x 18″ x 8″
Hawaiian Airlines 16″ x 10″ x 9.5″
JetBlue 17″ x 13″ x 8″
Southwest Airlines 18.5″ x 8.5″ x 13.5″
Spirit Airlines 18″ x 14″ x 8″
United Airlines 17″ x 10″ x 9″

Durability

Ensure sure the luggage you pick out is adequately robust to survive any harsh handling. Soft-sided, ballistic or Denier Nylon Fabric luggage is typically very solid. The higher the denier number is more durable. On the other side, polycarbonate is incredibly strong if you are focusing on a hardshell instead. Check out the sewing standard and straps, too. Solid zippers are just as necessary to prolong your bag ‘s existence.

Construction

We prefer something soft-sided for undersat luggage, as it is simpler to fit into the limited space. Although cramming soft-sided luggage into a limited space isn’t too challenging, hard-sided luggage may end up even with some damage. Although hard shells are not versatile enough, there are hard-sided bags that will be able to fit under your seat.

Wheels or No Wheels

It’s a personal decision whether you are searching for one with wheels or not. Although wheels are perfect for movement, remember they add weight to the bag too. If you don’t have much to bring for your baggage, so wheels are incredibly convenient. The suitcase you’ll be wearing will have supportive lined straps or sturdy handles. When you are moving your luggage make sure the wheels roll smoothly.

Organization

You want to look for an underseat luggage that has several pockets for organization especially for your smartphone, passport, and other small items. Sometimes even a laptop pocket will come in handy if you are ever planning to use your laptop to work while flying.

Conclusion

We hope this guide was helpful for finding the best underseat luggage as well as our guide on features to look for in an underseat luggage. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this guide, feel free to let us know in the comments section.