Delta International: 2 personal items to carry on

April 23, 2022 4:05 PM

Can I bring two personal items on board? ie, can I count my backpack as a 'carry-on' and my purse as my 'personal item' from NY to Toronto?

I have to check a full-sized suitcase, but was hoping to bring my work backpack as well as my purse on board. Since you can technically bring a 'carry-on' bag and a purse usually, and my backpack is smaller than a carry-on, will they allow them both? Happy to put one in the overhead and one under the seat. I'm flying international on Delta from NYC to Toronto if it matters.

posted by greta simone to Travel & Transportation (9 answers total)

Yes, your backpack will count as carry-on with no issues due to the size, and your purse will easily fit under the seat so will count as a personal item with no issues.

Since your backpack is smaller, you could probably fit both your backpack and purse into one carry-on duffel if you wanted to bring a second personal item under the seat, too, but no need to risk that, based on your question.
posted by michaelh at 4:17 PM on April 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

I’ve done exactly this on Delta many times.
posted by FencingGal at 4:35 PM on April 23, 2022

yes, that's how it usually works and should be fine.

However if they run out of overhead bin space, they'll make you check bags that would ordinarily be fine as carryon. (If your backpack is small enough to fit along with your purse under the seat in front of you, then that won't be an issue -- BUT be aware often the aisle seat has a narrower-than-usual underseat area.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 5:35 PM on April 23, 2022

I’ll add in that even if they do start gate checking bags they usually make people with the “roller board” bags do it first and that solves the issue
posted by raccoon409 at 6:28 PM on April 23, 2022 [1 favorite]

You're fine. My two items flying between the US and Canada (on Delta as often as not) are, invariably, a capacious backpack (fits under the seat but only with effort) plus a full-sized, wheeled carry-on suitcase. On anything but the largest aircraft, I count on the wheeled bag being "sky-checked," meaning I leave it off at pick it up again on the jetway (and as a consequence I don't keep fragile/valuable/flammable items in it), and there's no charge for doing so. I would just as soon be a better person and check it at the gate, but that costs $75 or $100 or whatever.

To be clear, you will be able to carry on both your backpack and purse, and you will not be asked to sky-check them.
posted by wreckingball at 6:42 AM on April 24, 2022

I think you're thinking of "roll aboard," raccoon409. Otherwise, agree with everyone else. When I flew extensively for work (in the early/mid-teens), I had a messenger bag for things I'd need during the flight (Kindle, laptops, notepad/pen, etc) and a roll-aboard suitcase. I was asked to gate-check the suitcase about 30% of the time, I think. A smaller backpack should be fine.
posted by Alterscape at 7:21 AM on April 24, 2022

@alterscape I’ve never seen in written down, just announced at the airport and that makes much more sense!
posted by raccoon409 at 10:39 AM on April 24, 2022

You’re overthinking this. Anything that fits in in an overhead bin is a carryon. That could be an actual carryon suitcase, or it could be a ziploc sandwich bag. I’ve even seen plenty of things that don’t fit carried on, too: a set of golf clubs, a cello, etc. As long as it’s safe and it doesn’t cause a problem for other passengers, the airline generally doesn’t care. Your situation (which I do nearly every time I fly, now that I don’t travel for work anymore) is the opposite end of the spectrum. You’re taking up *less* space than you’re allotted. Nobody minds that.
posted by kevinbelt at 11:41 AM on April 24, 2022

I just flew from Canada to the US and back this weekend with a carry-on and a purse. You’re gonna be fine.
posted by keep it under cover at 9:25 PM on April 26, 2022