So, you’re curious about SkyWest’s policies regarding carry-on item size and weight. Read on for information about passenger baggage size restrictions and other related questions. I will cover as many of them as I can in this article here and offer you links to additional relevant information.
I look forward to bringing you up to speed regarding SkyWest’s current rules and regulations and then answering common questions I hear about them.
If you want to skip the article and grab a bag that will work on SkyWest Airlines, check out these two!
This great carry-on bag is for travelers that want to get the best value out of their luggage investment.
This Travel Pro bag could be the last carry-on bag you ever purchase!
Let’s dive right in!
How Strict is SkyWest Airlines With Its Carry-on Luggage Policy?
Due to equipment size and operational constraints, SkyWest Airlines is considered relatively strict in regard to passenger carry-on allowances. SkyWest passengers are entitled to only one carry-on item and one small personal item (purse/laptop bag/briefcase, etc.).
SkyWest Airlines maintains that the carry-on bag size limit for its passengers has been changed to 22” x 14” x 9′,’ including the wheels and handles. The airline recommends carefully measuring your carry-on before you fly. In addition to your carry-on bag, you’ll also be allowed one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase, backpack, diaper bag, or laptop bag.
SkyWest Airlines, like other airlines, implements its own policies, taking into account Travel Safety Administration (TSA) requirements. Note that SkyWest Airlines is considered fairly strict in regard to carry-on/personal items brought on board its flights. If your luggage is deemed “oversize,” you could have to pay additional check-in fees at your boarding gate.
Carry-on luggage items have size restrictions, but not weight restrictions, and are typically stowed in the luggage bins overhead of passenger seats. Personal items typically are stowed underneath each passenger’s seat, though they may also need to go in the overhead bin.
SkyWest Airlines’ Carry-on Baggage Policy
Including handles and wheels, your carry-on luggage on SkyWest Airlines flights are not to exceed
19” l x 13” w x 9” h (48 x 34 x 23 cm), or 41 linear inches/104 cm
with a maximum prescribed weight of 15 lbs (7 kg).
Carry-on items any larger than these dimensions will need to be checked, even if at the gate during boarding.
Note that SkyWest passengers on flights with 50 seats or fewer are allowed only one personal item on board.
For partner airline scheduled flights, “all other partner baggage information applies as outlined on their [respective] sites,” according to the SkyWest website. Partner airlines (with their respective carry-on/checked item allowances) include United Airlines (as United Express), Alaska Airlines (Alaska SkyWest), Delta Air Lines (Delta Connection), and American Airlines (American Eagle).
Take some preemptive cautionary steps beforehand and invest in some SkyWest/partner airline-compliant carry-on luggage so you can travel calmly.
How Can I Measure My Carry-on Bag to Make Sure It Fits on a SkyWest Airlines Flight?
To help you verify your baggage conforms with SkyWest Airlines carry-on size restrictions, the carrier recommends taking note of bag sizers at airport locations that feature its required 19″ x 13″ x 9″ dimensions.
It’s also a good idea to measure your carry-on bag before you leave for the airport to ensure that your entire bag, along with the wheels and handles, measures within SkyWest’s online item size policies.
It’s important to remember that the three dimensional measurements together – length + height + width – cannot add up to more than 41 linear inches/104 linear cm. If you happen to be traveling with a soft-sided or expandable suitcase, you may want to measure your carry-on again after you’ve packed it, to ensure it still complies.
My SkyWest-compliant Baggage Recommendations
Would you like to know what carry-on luggage I would recommend for flying with SkyWest Airlines? I personally recommend the following SkyWest-compliant carry-on luggage bags because of the carrier’s strictness with its baggage policies.
This is a great carry-on bag for you if you’re looking to get top value out of your travel baggage investment.
This Travel Pro bag is one you’ll fall in love with, and it could end up being the last carry-on bag you’ll ever purchase!
SkyWest Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Allowance
SkyWest Airlines passengers can bring one carry-on item and one personal item on board its flights (excluding flights with 50 seats or fewer only a personal item is allowed per passenger).
If your carry-on bag has been deemed to be more than baggage dimension requirements (it should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin or underneath the seat in front of you), there’s a good chance you’ll have to check it for a fee
Bringing Carry-on Liquid Items Onto SkyWest Airlines Flights
You are allowed to bring liquid items onboard SkyWest Airlines flights in accordance with TSA regulations as long as they make it through TSA security checkpoints.
Liquid items in question include your toiletries and all other liquids and creams you may want to pack along. The TSA allows containers/bottles with no more than 3.4 fl. oz. / 100 fl. ml.
These liquid toiletries/items also need to be packed neatly into a re-sealable clear Ziploc-style plastic baggie, like these gallon-size baggies. Your baggie can’t be any larger than 7.8 x 7.8 inches (20 x 20 centimeters).
You’ll find plenty more information here on our TravelontheFly site about what items you are and aren’t allowed to bring on a plane with you.
You may also want to verify these requirements with the TSA’s website.
How Strict Is SkyWest Airlines With Your Carry-on Size?
You shouldn’t have to worry about anything as long as your item(s) fit in the overhead bin above you or underneath the seat in front of you.
To make your flight as worry-free as possible, I suggest complying with the carrier’s policies. If you need a new carry-on bag that will fit SkyWest’s (and its partner carriers’) guidelines, get this bag and don’t have to worry about it ever again.
How Strict Is SkyWest Airlines With Your Carry-on Baggage Weight?
SkyWest is one of the few exceptions that limit carry-on baggage weight. Most airlines are not concerned with carry-on/personal item weight but rather with spaces in the cabin where carry-on items should be able to be stowed comfortably.
Carry-on bags on SkyWest flights are limited to 15 lbs (7 kg) in weight.
Should I Risk Flying on SkyWest Airlines With an Oversized Carry-on?
You can try, if you don’t mind paying extra baggage fees when you travel. Most master travelers will likely ask you, “Why risk it?” And I would have to agree with them. But know that if your bag is only slightly larger than SkyWest Airlines’ specified size dimensions, you’ll likely be OK. Worst-case scenario if your carry-on is too large, is that you will have to check your bag at the gate, possibly for a fee.
PRO TIP – You have a better chance of getting away with a slightly larger piece of luggage if your carry-on is soft-sided. That‘s why I have highlighted and pointed you toward soft-sided bags like this one here. They are a little easier to squeeze into tight spots, including into the overhead bins on a plane!
SkyWest Airlines Checked Baggage Fees
SkyWest Airlines passengers are allowed to check in one bag for free, not to exceed 44 lbs/20 kg.
For bags weighing more than 44 lbs, overweight baggage fees are assessed on a per kilogram basis at a rate of $5/kg (2.2 lbs), up to a maximum of 100 kg (220 lbs) for all your check-in baggage total. Individual bags heavier than 70 lbs (32 kg) are not accepted.
I travel with a bag that is slightly larger than many airline regulations and I have never been asked to check it. I can’t guarantee that you won’t be asked to.
Your best bet is to travel with baggage that is within SkyWest Airlines’ size regulations, and then you will never have to worry about it!
You can read more about SkyWest Airlines’ checked bag policies here, as you’re preparing for a specific upcoming flight.
Where Can I Find a Quality Travel Bag That’s Within SkyWest Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Limits?
I recommend this great carry-on bag that is a great value for the money.
And this Travel Pro bag is more than enough for even the pickiest travelers.
How Strict Is SkyWest Airlines With Its “One Personal Item” Policy?
SkyWest Airlines is considered to be relatively strict in regard to baggage sizes and weights. One small personal item is allowed per passenger (e.g., purse, handbag, briefcase, laptop bag, backpack, and medically necessary items), as well as a carry-on item within SkyWest online item allowances. As long as your personal item can easily be carried and stored underneath the seat in front of you or in the overhead luggage bin, SkyWest Airlines representatives probably won’t ask to verify its size. Carry-on bags are technically supposed to be 15 lbs (7 kg) or less; if weighing more, you may be assessed $5/kg (2.2 lbs) for weight overage. Note that passengers flying on aircraft with 50 seats or fewer are allowed only a personal item on board.
SkyWest Airlines’ Personal Item Policy
Your personal item ( e.g., purse, shoulder bag, backpack, diaper bag, etc.) must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead bin. SkyWest passengers flying on aircraft with 50 seats or fewer are allowed only a personal item on board.
Carrying Additional Items Onto SkyWest Airlines Flights
In addition to your carry-on bag and personal item onboard SkyWest Airlines flights, you are also allowed to bring small items, such as a jacket/sweatshirt, blanket, umbrella, book, duty-free items, a reasonably sized stuffed animal, food/drink purchased past the security checkpoint, crutches, strollers, camera, etc. These won’t count as personal items unless they’re larger things that take up space overhead or underneath a seat, like purses, shoulder bags, backpacks, briefcases, large camera cases, etc.
Did you know? – SkyWest Airlines, though a regional airline, is the largest regional carrier in North America according to fleet size, number of passengers, and number of destinations. The airline, headquartered in St. George, Utah, receives revenues to staff, operate and maintain aircraft used on flights scheduled, marketed and sold by partner mainline airlines. These airlines currently include United Airlines (as United Express), Alaska Airlines (Alaska SkyWest), Delta Air Lines (Delta Connection), and American Airlines (American Eagle). You may have already flown a SkyWest flight without knowing!
Is the First Checked Bag Free on SkyWest Airlines Flights?
Yes, passengers are allowed to check their first bag for free on SkyWest Airlines flights. 44 lbs/20 kg.
For bags weighing more than 44 lbs, overweight baggage fees are assessed on a per kilogram basis at a rate of $5/kg (2.2 lbs), up to a maximum of 100 kg (220 lbs) for all your check-in baggage total. Individual bags heavier than 70 lbs (32 kg) are not accepted.
Read more about SkyWest Airlines’ checked bag policy here.
So, How Strict is SkyWest Airlines About Carry-on and Personal Items?
SkyWest Airlines passengers are allowed to take one carry-on bag and one personal item on board its flights, in accordance with TSA regulations. Both of these items should be able to fit in an overhead luggage bin, or one of them should be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. Invest in carry-on baggage that complies with SkyWest Airlines’ regulations, like this one.
In case you choose to take this risk with SkyWest Airlines by bringing a larger bag, be sure to at least use a soft-sided bag so you’ll be able to better navigate it into a tight space. If your carry-on or personal item is deemed to be “oversized,” you could be charged a bag check-in fee at your boarding gate. Remember that SkyWest passengers on flights with 50 seats or fewer are only allowed one personal item.