JetBlue Personal Item Size: The Complete Guide for Travelers

Everyone loves air travel, and carrying a bag is a hectic task. Sometimes they don’t know how many bags they can take while flying with any airline. JetBlue is a primary and the most popular affordable flag carrier in the United States. Buying a ticket with this airline means purchasing the cheapest airline ticket to travel in the United States. The central question for passengers regarding air travel is ” What bags can I bring on board for free”? Are you also looking for the answer to this question? Nobody wants to pay the bag fee, especially when you find and book the tickets of a low-cost airline. There is no meaning in paying an extra baggage fee. This is also the most traveller-friendly U.S. airline with clear carry-on and personal items rules. Before leaving for the airport and packing your bags, check JetBlue baggage policy to avoid the headache of repacking at the airport or paying an extra baggage fee.

This guide explains everything about JetBlue personal item size, including limits, examples, tips, and frequently asked questions.

What is Considered a Personal Item on JetBlue?

A personal item is a small bag or belonging that you can easily fit under the seat in front of you. Unlike a carry-on, it does not go in the overhead bin unless necessary.

Examples of personal items include:

A backpack (small/medium size)

A handbag, purse, or tote bag

A small diaper bag

A laptop bag or camera bag

A briefcase

A pet carrier (if you are traveling with a pet)

You can only bring one personal item for free, no matter what fare you book.

JetBlue Personal Item Size Limit

Here are the official size restrictions for JetBlue's personal items:

17 inches (length) x 13 inches (width) x 8 inches (height)

This size is designed to ensure the bag fits neatly under the seat.

If it’s bigger: It will count as a carry-on.

If it doesn’t fit under the seat, Gate agents may ask you to place it in the overhead bin or check it in.

For the Blue Basic Fare, only one personal item is allowed, and no carry-on bags are allowed, but for other fares like Blue, Blue Extra, and Mint, both carry-on and personal items are included.

Carry-On Bag vs. Personal Item

Here is the clear difference between carry-on bag and personal item. Feature Personal Item Carry-On Bag Allowed on all fares ✅ Yes ❌ Not always (restricted on Blue Basic) Size Limit 17" x 13" x 8" 22" x 14" x 9" Storage Location Under the seat Overhead bin Examples Backpack, purse, laptop bag Small roller suitcase, duffel bag

Fees and Penalties for Oversized Bags

Now, let’s discuss the fees and penalties for oversized bags in JetBlue. What if your purse or backpack is oversized at the airport? How much fee or penalty do you need to pay? If your fare does not include carry-on bags, you may be charged $65 at the gate. If it does not fit in the overhead bin, it could become a checked bag, which has a different fee. Always double-check bag size and weight before heading to the airport to avoid extra costs.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Personal Item

You can also use a backpack instead of a purse because backpacks can hold more while still being counted as a personal item. You can pack essentials inside, such as medications, chargers, headphones, passports, and valuables, which should always be in your personal item since it stays with you.

What about soft-sided bags?

Yes, these bags work best and squeeze under the seat even if slightly full.

What about compression packing cubes?

If you want to carry more without paying the extra baggage fee, you can also use compression packing cubes, which can help maximize limited space.

Travel with a small foldable tote:

On the other hand, you can also use a small foldable tote, which is useful for separating items for landing.

JetBlue Pet Carriers as Personal Items

People who are flying with a pet in the cabin and use the pet carrier count as their personal item, and here is the JetBlue airlines maximum carrier size limit -

Maximum carrier size: 17" x 12.5" x 8.5"

Pet + carrier combined weight: 20 lbs (9 kg) max

You won’t be allowed another personal bag besides the pet carrier, so plan accordingly.

Comparison with Other Airlines

To give you perspective, Delta, American, and United have the same personal item rules, and the personal item size is around 18 x 14 x 8 inches.

Spirit and Frontier are low-cost airlines. They charge for carry-ons but allow a personal item, usually smaller in size, for free.

JetBlue is more generous than ultra-low-cost carriers, but with restrictions on Blue Basic.

The Bottom Line

The airline's personal item policy is travel-friendly if you are a smart packer. Just remember these golden rules.

The personal item size limit is 17" x 13" x 8"

One per passenger (applies to all fares)

The item must fit under the seat in front of you

On the other hand, if you are flying on a Blue Basic Fare, your personal item is the only free bag you will get, so make it count. You can also use a versatile backpack or tote that maximizes space while staying within the rules. Travelling light not only saves your money but also makes boarding and deplaning quicker. With some planning, you can breeze through your JetBlue journey hassle-free.

Major questions

1. Can I bring a backpack as my personal item?

2. Can I bring two personal items on JetBlue, my purse and a backpack?

3. Does a duty-free shopping bag count as a personal item?

4. What happens if my personal item is too big?

5. Can kids bring a personal item too