How we picked
Each bag is a “55 cm” international carry-on with a maker-published outside size of about 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in). We test it against seven international airlines plus Delta. The Travelpro models are listed at 55.2 cm tall, 2 mm over on paper, which the checker shows as a tight fit.
At a glance
| Bag | Outside size | Weight | Capacity | Fits | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsonite C-Lite Carry-On Spinner (Spinner 55 Expandable)Lightest on this list | 21.6 × 15.8 × 7.9 in | 4.5 lb | 36 L | 1 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner (19-inch) | 21.8 × 15.8 × 7.8 in | 5.3 lb | 39 L | 1 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Rollaboard (2-wheel)Most capacity | 21.8 × 15.8 × 7.8 in | 5.4 lb | 45 L | 1 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Travelpro Platinum Elite International Carry-On Spinner (19-inch) | 21.8 × 15.8 × 7.8 in | 7.7 lb | 39 L | 1 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| American Tourister SoundBox Spinner 55 Expandable | 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 5.7 lb | 35.5 L | 3 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Samsonite Hi-Fi Spinner 55 Expandable | 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 5.5 lb | 39 L | 3 of 8airlines | Amazon |
“Fits” tests the maker’s published outside size against the carry-on limit of British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Ryanair, Emirates, Air Canada, Delta, using the same math as our bag size checker.
The picks
Samsonite C-Lite Carry-On Spinner (Spinner 55 Expandable)
Published at exactly 55x40x20 cm unexpanded, matching the common EU cabin limit, at about 2.1 kg with its Curv shell; keep it unexpanded for a 20 cm depth limit.
- Outside size
- 21.6 × 15.8 × 7.9 in55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 4.5 lb2.1 kg
- Capacity
- 36 L
Carry-on limit check
- British Airways: Tight fit
- Lufthansa: Too big
- Air France: Too big
- KLM: Too big
- Ryanair: Too big
- Emirates: Too big
- Air Canada: Too big
- Delta: Too big
Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner (19-inch)
21.75x15.75x7.75 in (about 55.2x40x19.7 cm) including wheels, effectively at the 55x40x20 cm limit, at 5.3 lb; keep it unexpanded.
- Outside size
- 21.8 × 15.8 × 7.8 in55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 5.3 lb2.4 kg
- Capacity
- 39 L
Overall dims include wheels and carry handles; case 19x15x7.75 in. Expansion adds up to 2 in.
Carry-on limit check
- British Airways: Tight fit
- Lufthansa: Too big
- Air France: Too big
- KLM: Too big
- Ryanair: Too big
- Emirates: Too big
- Air Canada: Too big
- Delta: Too big
Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Rollaboard (2-wheel)
Same 21.75x15.75x7.75 in overall footprint as the spinner, but the 2-wheel design gives a taller case body and 45 L of space.
- Outside size
- 21.8 × 15.8 × 7.8 in55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 5.4 lb2.5 kg
- Capacity
- 45 L
Overall dims include wheels and carry handles; case 20x15x7.75 in.
Carry-on limit check
- British Airways: Tight fit
- Lufthansa: Too big
- Air France: Too big
- KLM: Too big
- Ryanair: Too big
- Emirates: Too big
- Air Canada: Too big
- Delta: Too big
Travelpro Platinum Elite International Carry-On Spinner (19-inch)
Travelpro's premium softside at 21.75x15.75x7.75 in overall with USB port and 8 spinner wheels; heavier at 7.7 lb, which matters under 7-8 kg cabin weight caps.
- Outside size
- 21.8 × 15.8 × 7.8 in55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 7.7 lb3.5 kg
- Capacity
- 39 L
Overall dims include wheels and carry handles; case 19x15x7.75 in.
Carry-on limit check
- British Airways: Tight fit
- Lufthansa: Too big
- Air France: Too big
- KLM: Too big
- Ryanair: Too big
- Emirates: Too big
- Air Canada: Too big
- Delta: Too big
American Tourister SoundBox Spinner 55 Expandable
55x40x20 cm unexpanded, a polypropylene spinner sized for the standard EU cabin limit; expansion pushes depth to 23 cm.
- Outside size
- 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 5.7 lb2.6 kg
- Capacity
- 35.5 L
americantourister.co.uk lists 55x40x20 cm (23 cm expanded), 35.5/41 L and 2.6 kg.
Carry-on limit check
- British Airways: Tight fit
- Lufthansa: Tight fit
- Air France: Too big
- KLM: Too big
- Ryanair: Tight fit
- Emirates: Too big
- Air Canada: Too big
- Delta: Too big
Samsonite Hi-Fi Spinner 55 Expandable
55x40x20 cm including wheels at 2.5 kg with 39 L unexpanded, so it meets 55x40x20 cm cabin limits when not expanded.
- Outside size
- 21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in55 × 40 × 20 cm
- Weight
- 5.5 lb2.5 kg
- Capacity
- 39 L
Carry-on limit check
- British Airways: Tight fit
- Lufthansa: Tight fit
- Air France: Too big
- KLM: Too big
- Ryanair: Tight fit
- Emirates: Too big
- Air Canada: Too big
- Delta: Too big
Watch the weight limits
Size is only half of it abroad. Many European and Asian airlines cap cabin bags at 7–8 kg (15–18 lb), and weigh them at check-in. A 2.5 kg suitcase leaves you about 5 kg for clothes. See each airline in our international carry-on chart.