Is Garment Bag a Carry On? The short answer to your question is, Yes, a garment bag is indeed a carry on.
You are traveling on a plane to attend an important meeting or a business conference. You picked up the suit you had left at the dry cleaner on your way to the airport and put it in a garment bag. Does it go as a carry-on, or do you have to pay for it and pass it as checked baggage?
Delicate clothes like suits and wedding dresses bear the risk of getting wrinkled and creased if you stuff them in your luggage. They are best carried in a travel garment bag. But you need to check a few things before you pack your suit and leave for the airport.
Some items can be carried in a carry-on bag, while other items must be checked. You need to have some information about TSA rules and regulations to be able to distinguish those items. Here we will help you to decide which item goes in which bag before leaving for the airport.
Does a garment bag count as a carry-on or personal item? What size garment bags are allowed on the flight? We will answer all of your queries in this article, one by one.
Is A Garment Bag Allowed As A Carry On?
Yes, you can take a Garment bag as a carry on, while leaving for the airport. American Airlines approves soft-sided garment bags as a carry-on.
The official site of American Airlines confirms that passengers flying Basic Economy are entitled to carry one free carry-on in addition to a personal item to all destinations.
Any soft-sided garment bag with a size limit of 51 inches counts as a carry-on. You can take the bag with you as a carry-on and don’t have to worry about getting your favorite suit getting wrinkled in the luggage.
But as the saying goes, ‘ignorance of the law is not forgivable.’ You must know and have some idea of the current TSA guidelines. American Airlines Carry-On Policy limits passengers to one personal item (such as a purse, briefcase, laptop, etc.) and one carry-on bag (such as a garment bag, backpack, suitcase, pet carrier, etc.)
Carry-on Bags Requirements
The size approved by the TSA for a carry-on is 22*14*9 inches (56*36*23 cm), including handles and wheels. There are no weight restrictions for a carry-on.
The rule states that Soft-sided garment bags of maximum size 51 inches or 130 cm can also be taken as a carry-on item. Also, the garment bag should fit in the sizer at the airport.
The main criterion for an item to qualify as a carry-on is that it must fit on the overhead bin or under the seat on a plane. In case your garment bag is a tad too big to be placed on the overhead bin, then it won’t be allowed as a carry-on.
Furthermore, some airports or airplanes may impose some additional carry-on bag restrictions. The size of the plane you are flying in, and the luggage capacity of the overhead bin in the plane can account for those added restrictions.
If you thinking of carrying your laptop in a carry-on while also bringing a suit in a small foldable garment bag, you are in for real trouble. That small foldable bag also counts as a carry-on. One of those bags will have to go as checked luggage against your liking.
Personal Item Requirements
Personal Item includes a small bag like a purse or handbag that can fit under the seat in front of you. The size of these bags should be of the specified dimension, 18*14*8 inches (45*35*20 cm).
Items like Diaper bags, breast pumps, child safety seats, strollers, and mobility don’t count as Personal Item.
Now, a question may arise in your mind. If I am only carrying my favorite suit just to avoid it getting wrinkled in a small garment bag, doesn’t it count as a personal item? It is a valid argument, given the fact that a small garment bag does fit in the space under the seat easily.
However, US airlines count a garment bag as a carry-on regardless of the size of the bag.
So, if you are carrying a soft-sided garment bag, it ultimately replaces your carry-on bag. Try to make the most out of the space available in your garment bag because if you are to carry one, you won’t be allowed another carry-on.
What To Carry In A Garment Bag?
Garment Bags come in handy while traveling on a plane. They will save your clothes from getting damaged in the luggage compartment.
Since your garment bag is counted as a carry-on, you can make the most of this opportunity by smartly packing things. Travel garment bags are made with flexible and qualitative material that prevents delicate clothes from getting wrinkled.
1.Suits or Business Attires
If you are thinking of carrying a garment bag to the airport, first you need to consider your travel itinerary carefully. You pack your business attire in the bag to keep it wrinkle-free and uncreased.
Casual wears are not worth the trouble of being packed in a garment bag. Instead, fold them carefully and place them in a suitcase.
2.Few Delicate and Light Clothes
Garment bags are not the ideal thing to pack your clothes. If you stuff too many clothes, they can be bulky and give you trouble while carrying.
Carefully choose clothes that go in the garment bag. It is used to avoid wrinkles on the clothes, not to maximize the luggage capacity.
3.Wedding Dress
If you are attending a marriage ceremony, then you can use a garment bag to carry your dress. However, if the dress is too bulky or ornate, then it is wiser to have it packed in a carry-on-sized suitcase by professionals.
4.Washed and Ironed Clothes
It is convenient to pack dresses that are dry-cleaned and ironed in a garment bag. These bags keep your clothes in pristine condition so, they will save you time once you reach your destination.
Effective Ways Of Using A Garment Bag
There are a few things you must give proper attention to avoid having your garment bag treated as checked luggage. Here are some tips to effectively use your garment bag while traveling.
1. Get a rolling bag with a garment compartment
Now, you know that your garment bag will be treated as a carry-on no matter how small it may be. If you have a laptop bag with you, then you are left with no choice but to send your garment bag as checked luggage.
To avoid such inconvenience, you can buy rolling luggage designed with a suit compartment. This way you will save yourself from the trouble of getting your suit wrinkled and confrontation with the security at the airport.
2. Buy a sturdy garment bag
Garment bags are soft and squishy. They are not built for the rugged nature of baggage to be treated as freight. However, you may encounter such instances where you are left with no choice but to check in before boarding a plane.
In such a case, a sturdy garment bag that can withstand rough treatment can be a lifesaver. It will keep your drycleaned and neatly pressed suit in pristine condition.
3. Get a bag of the right size
American Airlines’ policy regarding the size of carry-on is definitive. If you are a regular flight taker, you must bear these guidelines while finding the right garment bag for you.
Soft-sided garment bags of a maximum size of 51 inches is the accepted standard for a carry-on. Always keep this in mind, while shopping for a garment bag because if your bag didn’t fit in the overhead bin on the plane then it will be treated as checked luggage.
And you will end up paying extra dollars for it.
Find The Best Garment Bag For You
A garment bag, simply known as a suit bag, is made to hold suits, jackets, or other clothing. It protects the clothes from getting wrinkled and dusted.
A garment bag is an ideal choice to carry the dress you need for important meetings or occasions. It saves you time and the hassle of searching through your entire luggage for the dress you are looking for.
There are basically three types of garment bags in the market.
1.Bi-Fold Bag: This type of bag can be folded in the middle and can be carried as a single component. These containers are widespread and don’t cost you much.
2. Tri-Fold Bags: If you are traveling lightly, tri-fold bags are very suitable for you. They can be folded and unfurled pretty easily and be put with the main luggage. Although, it is slightly less roomy than a bi-fold bag.
3.Rolling Bags: These bags have wheels on them, and they can be moved around with much ease. The plus point of this bag is the amount of space it provides. The rolling bag is basically a standalone suitcase, which means you are carrying extra weight with you.
Best Selling Garment Bags on Amazon
There are some amazing garment bags you can check out on Amazon. You can find the best fit for you according to your use and budget.
Simple Houseware Heavy Duty Garment Bag at $15.97
MISSLO Gusseted Travel Garment Bag at $11.49
KIMBORA Suit Bags at $19.99
MATEIN Travel Garment Bags at $31.32
Convertible Garment Bag with Shoulder Strap at $38.19
ZEGUR Suit Carry-On Garment Bag at $55.56