Air travel is complicated enough, but some airlines crack down harder than others.
As travel has picked up to unprecedented levels following the pandemic, more and more air travelers find themselves navigating — and getting frustrated by — the seemingly hectic and sometimes arbitrary-feeling rules of air travel and baggage restrictions. Figuring out the breakdowns of how each airline handles checked baggage, carry-ons, and personal items can be daunting, especially for those who don’t fly often. On top of that, some airlines are far stricter than others about carry-ons and what counts as a personal item, including one you may not expect.