There are very important features all personal item bags must have for travel in an airplane in 2025.
In every airplane you are allowed a personal item bag that goes under the airplane seat in front of you.
Since the airlines can have rules for those personal items you need the best features that are helpful while sitting in your airplane seat.
In today’s travel tip video, I will show you backpack features compared with tote bag characteristics before your next flight.
You’ll learn the features to avoid based on the personal item bags I show you.
Feature #1: Meet Size Requirement
Most important feature: it has to meet size dimensions for your airline’s personal item bag rules.
Some airlines like Frontier and Spirit would give their employees a monetary incentive if they caught people with personal item bags too large.
Travel hack: the color black helps the bag appear smaller.
You will put your bag in the bag sizer to see if it fit.
If your bag is not correct dimensions, it will count as a carryon bag and you possibly pay for it or have to be checked and you have to pay for it if you already have a carryon suitcase.
Your personal item could be a large purse. Just check the airline’s website.
Feature #2: Watch the Weight
Some foreign airlines are very strict about weight so be sure to check their weight allowance for personal item bags.
2 travel hacks:
- Drape a coat over the middle of it or your cardigan if traveling in the summer.
- Wear it over the shoulder that is away from the lady helping scan your ticket
Feature #3: Pockets
Avoid this type of feature – if your travel essentials can spill out from a pocket, avoid that personal item bag.
In the video, you will see the gray bag which is great; it’s small; it is lightweight. BUT, if I packed it full and needed to unzip it for something that was halfway down, I could easily lose an important item packed for my trip.
Let me know how many pockets your personal item bag has in it.
For me being naturally unorganized, I need many pockets for travel organization.
If you are traveling to a ski trip but do not ski, your bag will need other essentials for when you land.
Do not miss the 20 pages of packing tips and travel hacks for frigid vacations. Plus a packing list.
Feature #4: Trolley Strap
Why?
Trolley strap helps you be hands-free when you travel.
Wearing a backpack can help me be hands-free in the airport.
My travel tip is to pack inside your personal item bag. In the tote bag from the video I can pack airplane essentials and do not have to open the entire bag to retrieve them mid-flight.

Feature #5: Computer Sleeve
This feature is debatable for travelers:
The computer sleeve pocket padding in some backpacks is too thick!
What do you think?
Sweat from the hot thick computer padding feature is what made me start looking for other backpacks years ago.
I used to be only a backpack girl because of how easy it is to throw it over my shoulders. But last year I fell in love with a large purse size tote bag by Nomad Lane. You can see all its features in my video!

Feature #6: Color
Hack is that black looks smaller if you’re an inch or two bigger.
I have some airplane seat back pocket tips and tricks in this video that will help you when it is no bigger than a piece of paper.