Personal-item bag · 34 × 19 × 15 cm (13.4 × 7.5 × 5.9 in)
Fits 3 cm (1.2 in) to spare on the depth
El Al cabin bag and personal item size
Checked against El Al's baggage page on 5 October 2026
Personal item (under the seat)
38 × 30 × 18 cm15 × 11.8 × 7.1 in
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in
Also: 115 cm in total (length + width + depth).
Weight: 8 kg (18 lb)
Will your bag fit El Al?
Personal item. Free on every fare. One personal item (small backpack, laptop bag) on every ticket and class, stored under the seat in front.
Cabin bag. Not included on Economy Lite (Europe / UAE routes). Wheels and handles count. Economy Classic: one carry-on up to 8 kg. Includes wheels, handles and side pockets. Lite to/from Europe and UAE must gate-check it free.
What each El Al fare includes
| Fare | Personal item | Cabin bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Lite (Europe / UAE routes) | Included | Not allowed (8 kg) | Since 21 May 2025 the 8 kg carry-on is sent to the hold at the gate free; Matmid Silver+ exempt. Lite not sold on North America routes. |
| Economy Classic | Included | Included (8 kg) | One carry-on up to 8 kg plus personal item. |
| Economy Flex | Included | Included (12 kg) | Two carry-ons, max 8 kg each, 12 kg total (one only from the US under TSA rules). |
| Premium | Included | Included (12 kg) | Two carry-ons, max 8 kg each, 12 kg total. |
| Business | Included | Included (20 kg) | Two carry-ons, max 16 kg each, 20 kg total. |
Will a standard carry-on fit El Al?
The most common US carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm, wheels included). On El Al it just fits, with under 1 cm to spare. The common European cabin size, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, is right at the limit.
El Al's cabin bag allowance holds about 63 litres. Only 4 of the 151 airlines we track have a bigger one, so most carry-on suitcases sold today will pass.
Bags that fit El Al
We checked 1,046 bags with published sizes. 20 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare on every side, and another 13 are within a centimeter. 774 fit the cabin bag size comfortably.
Personal item
Personal-item bag · 36.5 × 27.5 × 17.5 cm (14.4 × 10.8 × 6.9 in)
Tight 0.5 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the depth
Personal-item bag · 38 × 28 × 16 cm (15 × 11 × 6.3 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
Personal-item bag · 11 × 8.9 × 4.9 in (28 × 22.5 × 12.5 cm)
Fits 5.5 cm (2.2 in) to spare on the depth
Cabin bag
Carry-on suitcase · 19.1 × 12.8 × 8.9 in (48.5 × 32.5 × 22.6 cm)
Fits 2.4 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the depth; 103.6 cm in total against a 115 cm limit; 5.1 kg left for packing
Carry-on suitcase · 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length; 114.3 cm in total against a 115 cm limit
Carry-on suitcase · 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length; 114.3 cm in total against a 115 cm limit
Carry-on suitcase · 55.9 × 35.6 × 22.9 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length; 114.3 cm in total against a 115 cm limit; 3.6 kg left for packing
If your bag is too big at the gate
Items not meeting the size/weight limits are checked to the hold; 'Exceeding eligibility may incur fees.' No amount published. Source
Power banks on El Al
You can’t use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 1 per passenger. Never in checked bags. From 1 Feb 2026: one power bank only, up to 100 Wh, Wh rating clearly marked. No use in flight and no charging from aircraft outlets. Store in seat pocket or under-seat bag, not overhead bin. (in force since 1 February 2026)
Work out your power bank's watt-hours · Power bank rules on every airline
Worth knowing
- Only ONE power bank per passenger since 1 Feb 2026; refusing to hand over an extra one may lead to a fine.
- Lite fares on Europe/UAE routes: carry-on goes in the hold free at the gate.
- Flights departing the US allow only one carry-on plus one personal item (TSA rule), even on Flex/Premium/Business.
- Rules apply to flights operated by EL AL and Sundor only.
Airlines with similar limits
- easyJet: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- British Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Jet2.com: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Aegean Airlines: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
El Al bag questions
What size is the El Al personal item?
El Al's free personal item can be up to 38 × 30 × 18 cm (15 × 11.8 × 7.1 in). One personal item (small backpack, laptop bag) on every ticket and class, stored under the seat in front.
How big can an El Al cabin bag be?
Up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), and no heavier than 8 kg (18 lb). Wheels and handles count toward the size.
Does every El Al fare include a cabin bag?
No. Economy Lite (Europe / UAE routes): this fare includes only the personal item; the bigger bag costs extra or isn't allowed.
Which bags fit El Al's limits?
Of the 1,046 bags we track, 20 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare and 774 fit the cabin bag size. See the list.
Can I take a power bank on El Al?
Yes, in your cabin bag only. You can’t use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 1 per passenger. Never in checked bags.
Sources. official carry-on baggage page · official batteries and dangerous substances page. Rules checked 5 October 2026. Some details the airline doesn’t publish are marked as such above. Airline staff have the final say at the gate. Spotted a change? Tell us.
Will This Bag Fit is independent and not affiliated with El Al.