How we picked
Each carry-on here has a dedicated laptop compartment. We list the maker’s outside size and test it against eight US airlines’ carry-on limits, because front-pocket designs are where many “business” carry-ons drift past 22 × 14 × 9 in.
At a glance
| Bag | Outside size | Weight | Capacity | Fits | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monos Carry-On ProLightest on this list | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 7.8 lb | 36 L | 8 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Travelpro Platinum Elite Compact Carry-On Business Plus Expandable Hardside SpinnerMost capacity | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 8.8 lb | 40 L | 8 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Travelpro Platinum Elite 20" Expandable Business Plus Carry-On Spinner | 22.5 × 14.5 × 9 in | 8.2 lb | 39 L | 2 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Away The Executive Carry-On | 21.7 × 14.4 × 9 in | 9 lb | 33 L | 3 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Samsonite Elevation Plus Hardside Global Carry-On Spinner | 22 × 14 × 9 in | 8.5 lb | — | 8 of 8airlines | Amazon |
| Samsonite Mobile Solution 2 Carry-On Spinner | 22.5 × 14.5 × 9.5 in | 9.5 lb | — | 2 of 8airlines | Amazon |
“Fits” tests the maker’s published outside size against the carry-on limit of Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Alaska, Frontier, Allegiant, using the same math as our bag size checker.
The picks
Monos Carry-On Pro
It is 22x14x9 in including wheels, with a lockable front compartment that Monos says fits a 16-inch laptop.
- Outside size
- 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm
- Weight
- 7.8 lb3.5 kg
- Capacity
- 36 L
Measurements include wheels and fixed handles. Monos says it 'Fits a 16" laptop'.
Carry-on limit check
- Delta: Tight fit
- American: Tight fit
- United: Tight fit
- Southwest: Fits
- JetBlue: Tight fit
- Alaska: Tight fit
- Frontier: Fits
- Allegiant: Tight fit
Travelpro Platinum Elite Compact Carry-On Business Plus Expandable Hardside Spinner
It is 22x14x9 in overall including wheels, with a padded exterior laptop pocket that Travelpro rates for most laptops up to 15.6 in.
- Outside size
- 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm
- Weight
- 8.8 lb4 kg
- Capacity
- 40 L
Overall dimensions include wheels and handles. Case only: 19.25 x 13.5 x 8.5 in.
Carry-on limit check
- Delta: Tight fit
- American: Tight fit
- United: Tight fit
- Southwest: Fits
- JetBlue: Tight fit
- Alaska: Tight fit
- Frontier: Fits
- Allegiant: Tight fit
Travelpro Platinum Elite 20" Expandable Business Plus Carry-On Spinner
It has padded laptop and tablet sleeves for devices up to 15 in, but overall it is 22.5x14.5x9 in, slightly over 22x14x9 on paper.
- Outside size
- 22.5 × 14.5 × 9 in57 × 37 × 23 cm
- Weight
- 8.2 lb3.7 kg
- Capacity
- 39 L
Overall dimensions include wheels and carry handles. Case only: 20 x 14 x 9 in.
Carry-on limit check
- Delta: Too big
- American: Too big
- United: Too big
- Southwest: Fits
- JetBlue: Too big
- Alaska: Too big
- Frontier: Fits
- Allegiant: Too big
Away The Executive Carry-On
The front pocket has padded sleeves for a 14-inch laptop; the shell is 21.7x14.4x9 in, 0.4 in wider than 14 in on paper.
- Outside size
- 21.7 × 14.4 × 9 in55 × 37 × 23 cm
- Weight
- 9 lb4.1 kg
- Capacity
- 33 L
The front pocket has sleeves sized for a 14 in laptop.
Carry-on limit check
- Delta: Too big
- American: Too big
- United: Too big
- Southwest: Fits
- JetBlue: Too big
- Alaska: Too big
- Frontier: Fits
- Allegiant: Tight fit
Samsonite Elevation Plus Hardside Global Carry-On Spinner
It is 22x14x9 in overall, and the QuickEntry front pocket holds a laptop up to 13 in, so it suits smaller laptops only.
- Outside size
- 22 × 14 × 9 in56 × 36 × 23 cm
- Weight
- 8.5 lb3.9 kg
The QuickEntry pocket's air-mesh sleeves hold a laptop up to 13 in.
Carry-on limit check
- Delta: Tight fit
- American: Tight fit
- United: Tight fit
- Southwest: Fits
- JetBlue: Tight fit
- Alaska: Tight fit
- Frontier: Fits
- Allegiant: Tight fit
Samsonite Mobile Solution 2 Carry-On Spinner
It has a dedicated laptop compartment and a front zip pocket, but at 22.5x14.5x9.5 in overall it is over 22x14x9 on paper.
- Outside size
- 22.5 × 14.5 × 9.5 in57 × 37 × 24 cm
- Weight
- 9.5 lb4.3 kg
This is a softside expandable bag with a dedicated laptop compartment.
Carry-on limit check
- Delta: Too big
- American: Too big
- United: Too big
- Southwest: Fits
- JetBlue: Too big
- Alaska: Too big
- Frontier: Fits
- Allegiant: Too big
The front-pocket trade-off
A front laptop pocket is convenient, but it is space taken from the main compartment, and a stuffed pocket bulges past the 9 in depth. Keep only the laptop, charger and documents in it, and pack flat.