OBOW Light Travel Forum > Best bags to fit under the seat?
<<bag that will always fit under the seat.>>
WHICH seat? Most spaces will take a bag at least 13 inches wide, by 8 inches deep. The variation as to LENGTH depends on the airline and the seat PITCH. If that distance is 31-32 inches, I think one could get away with the 18 inch long Tom Bihn Western Flyer, or possibly even their Tristar. BUT, if the airline is Spirit, with its 28-inch pitch, anything longer than 16 inches may not work. The actual number of bags that are 18-19 inches long isn't that great, and at 16 inches, very few.
WHICH seat? Most spaces will take a bag at least 13 inches wide, by 8 inches deep. The variation as to LENGTH depends on the airline and the seat PITCH. If that distance is 31-32 inches, I think one could get away with the 18 inch long Tom Bihn Western Flyer, or possibly even their Tristar. BUT, if the airline is Spirit, with its 28-inch pitch, anything longer than 16 inches may not work. The actual number of bags that are 18-19 inches long isn't that great, and at 16 inches, very few.
April 1, 2013 |
Alan B
Alan B
I've said it before and I'll say it again....Seat PITCH has nothing to do with under seat storage or overhead storage. Its major effect is on legroom. It is the measurement of the space from one point on a seat to the same point on the seat in front or back. If two airlines use the same seats and one has a pitch of 38" and the other 36", the UNDER SEAT storage area is the same. The legroom might be different but the under seat storage area is the same.
Now, to get to the question: There is no standard under seat storage size. It depends on the thickness of the seat, the placement of the seat (aisle, middle, window) and the type of aircraft.
And these dimensions are not easy to find. If you want to find a particular airline's under seat sizes, one place to look is the maximum dimensions they allow for under seat pet carriers.
As an example, Southwest lists the following:
The under-seat dimensions are as follows:
Window Seat: 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H
Middle Seat: 19"L x 19"W x 8.25"H
Aisle Seat: 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H
As you can see, it varies depending on which seat you choose. Southwest only flies the Boeing 737 so this is fairly consistent throughout their fleet.
Now, to get to the question: There is no standard under seat storage size. It depends on the thickness of the seat, the placement of the seat (aisle, middle, window) and the type of aircraft.
And these dimensions are not easy to find. If you want to find a particular airline's under seat sizes, one place to look is the maximum dimensions they allow for under seat pet carriers.
As an example, Southwest lists the following:
The under-seat dimensions are as follows:
Window Seat: 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H
Middle Seat: 19"L x 19"W x 8.25"H
Aisle Seat: 19"L x 14"W x 8.25"H
As you can see, it varies depending on which seat you choose. Southwest only flies the Boeing 737 so this is fairly consistent throughout their fleet.
April 1, 2013 |
Frank@OBOW
Frank@OBOW
Thank you Frank for the recurrent clarification. "If two airlines use the same seats and one has a pitch of 38" and the other 36"," that would for almost all Economy seats be wonderfully generous, given the current average pitch of about 31 inches. The size cited above not too surprisingly corresponds to the Tristar, perhaps one reason it is so popular. Of course, if a bag totally occupies the underseat area, save for the middle seat, the footspace gets reduced accordingly and limits one ability to stretch the legs beyond a 90 degree angle at the knees, an issue that increases with the length of the flight. I apologize for any errant comments on this topic. At the same time I face a flight with first a five hour and then an eleven hour leg later this month, one reason why my "personal" bag will be small enough to allow a greater knee angle!
April 1, 2013 |
Alan B
Alan B
I call it MLC-Underseat. The two biggest impediments to your luggage passing muster are: will it block passage through the row (the length= 19") and being overstuffed (depth= 8"). Of the two, I think overstuffing will be your biggest concern, because if you can't cram it under the seat, you are defeated right off.
You can find darn near any backpack with the dimensions Frank listed, but finding business presentable luggage is a little tougher. I use TB's Western Flyer, Timbuk 2's Wingman-Small (thank you SectionChief wherever you are for that tip), and a customized MEI Silver Streak whenever I plan to stow my luggage under the seat.
One of these days, I'll get a "previously enjoyed" TB Tristar or a modified RO Sky Train.
You can find darn near any backpack with the dimensions Frank listed, but finding business presentable luggage is a little tougher. I use TB's Western Flyer, Timbuk 2's Wingman-Small (thank you SectionChief wherever you are for that tip), and a customized MEI Silver Streak whenever I plan to stow my luggage under the seat.
One of these days, I'll get a "previously enjoyed" TB Tristar or a modified RO Sky Train.
April 2, 2013 |
Neil G
Neil G
I have gotten a 22" bag under the seat. What I do, when the flight attendants are coming around "inspecting," is push the bag with my feet, and hold it there, so it looks as if it fits underneath the seat in front of me. The flight attendants think I'm just trying to get as much leg room as possible. I've learned not to pack it to the gills so this works.
April 2, 2013 |
Frank@OBOW
Frank@OBOW
Goruck GR1 & Radio Ruck, Tom Bihn Tristar and Western Flyer, Redoxx Mini-Ruck should all fit the bill
April 3, 2013 |
Smith
Smith
The REI Overnighter Pack will work, too...
See: http://www.rei.com/product/827994/rei-overnighter-pack
See: http://www.rei.com/product/827994/rei-overnighter-pack
April 4, 2013 |
Alan
Alan
Frank's fine review of the REI "MLC-Underseat" can be found at:
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2012/9/13/gear-review-rei-overnighter-pack.html
http://www.1bag1world.com/blog/2012/9/13/gear-review-rei-overnighter-pack.html
April 4, 2013 |
Alan B
Alan B
1) What is the average space dimensions under the seat?
2) What are some good examples of bags that will fit?