JetBlue Personal Item Size: 17 x 13 x 8 Inches

Where these numbers come from

JetBlue is one of the few large U.S. airlines that prints an exact personal item size: 17 inches long, 13 inches wide and 8 inches deep. That is about 43 x 33 x 20 centimeters, or 1,768 cubic inches. The bag must slide under the seat in front of you, and it is free on every fare. JetBlue's page applies the same carry-on and personal item rule to all fares, and the airline did add a free carry-on to Blue Basic in 2024.

Compare that with American's 18 x 14 x 8 box and United's 17 x 10 x 9 box. JetBlue sits between them. It is one inch shorter and one inch narrower than American, so a bag sold as an American-legal personal item may miss by an inch on each side. A soft 16 x 13 x 8 inch backpack clears JetBlue, American and Southwest alike, according to one 2026 guide.

The depth number is the one to watch. A daypack that measures 7 inches empty can bulge to 9 inches with a laptop, a water bottle and a jacket. Measure it packed, at the widest point, with handles and side pockets included. If the pack is soft, you can often press it down by a fraction of an inch. A rigid case at 8.5 inches will not compress.

Here is a worked example. A 16 x 12 x 7 inch backpack is 1,344 cubic inches, about 76 percent of the box, and passes easily. A 18 x 12 x 8 inch bag is 1 inch too long for JetBlue, even though it fits American. Turning the long side to 17 inches by cinching the compression straps solves it only if the contents can shrink. If not, use it as your carry-on instead, because the carry-on limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

Because the carry-on is included on all fares, a good plan is to put the heavier items in the under-seat bag and keep the overhead bag light. JetBlue publishes no weight limit for either, but both must be liftable without help. Extra items such as a coat, an umbrella, an infant diaper bag and assistive devices do not count against you.

To test your bag, use the bag fit finder. For the full rules and fees, read the JetBlue baggage rules and the JetBlue baggage fees page, then compare with the American personal item size.

Sources

• JetBlue carry-on bags
• Gear Up Travel: personal item size by airline (2026)
• Seatmap: what fits under an airplane seat

Figures checked on September 30, 2026.

This page is general information, not legal, insurance or travel-agent advice. Fees, rules and limits change, so confirm the figures with the official sources listed above before you book or travel.