Carry-on luggage is growing more and more popular as airlines keep increasing charges for checked luggage, and waiting at baggage claim hoping your bag will come out is like playing roulette. Enter under seat carry-on bags, a growing class of luggage that is small in dimension, convenient to handle, and specifically designed to fit under the seat in front of you. The best under seat rolling carry on bag is well designed in overall size, maneuverability, and with ample compartments for organizing your on board essentials.
No more need to worry about running out of overhead luggage space, or bothering your seat mates every time you need to get something from up there. With an airplane under seat bag, you’ll have everything easily accessible right at your feet. Of course, if you do choose to put them overhead, that option is always open to you as well.
Many of the top luggage brands have their own version of the under seat rolling carry on bag. To help you in your search, here are a variety of the most highly rated choices, manufacturers by some of the best luggage brands.
Small Samsonite Travel Accessories Wheeled Underseater
You’ll love the smart design of the small Samsonite Wheeled Underseater. It’s a a super compact carry-on bag with tons of useful pockets and slots. Inside you’ll find a spacious compartment with separate see-through wetpak zippered pockets, perfect for toiletries, or even a damp bathing suit. The convenient 3-1-1 pouch is removable, making a great hanging organizer pouch when you reach you destination.
The exterior is equipped with two zippered pockets that are perfect for water bottles, sunglasses, and other bulkier items, while the front zippered compartment is ideal for your phone, iPad, book, eReader, or other essentials you’ll want to access easily.
Smooth rolling skate wheels and sturdy retractable handle make it a breeze to roll down the aisle. Then grab the comfortably padded carry handles to pick it up as needed. This small bag measures 13 x 13 x 9 inches, ensuring it will fit under the seat of nearly any flight you go on. 
If you love Samsonite but are looking for just a bit more packing space in your rolling under seat carry on bag, then have a look at this Large Samsonite Travel Accessories Wheeled Underseater. It sports the same thoughtful features, but measures 16 x 13 x 9 inches, providing the extra room you may be looking for.
2-Piece Travelon Wheeled Underseat Carry-On with Back-Up Bag
This 2-piece Travelon Wheeled Underseat Carry-On bag set makes it a cinch to carry your essentials for in-flight travel. The set includes the 14.5 x 13.5 x 9 rolling bag PLUS a super-convenient matching tote bag that folds up and stows into a side pocket, ready to pull out when you need to pack those souvenirs or other shopping finds.
This bag is constructed of a soft quilted microfiber and has multiple zippered compartments inside and out. It’s shape is slightly tapered at the top making a comfortable foot rest during flights.
Choose from red, black, chocolate brown or khaki.
Nicole Miller 15″ Under Seat Carry On Bag
Fashion meets function with this 15 inch airplane under seat bag from Nicole Miller. This bag looks more like a handbag than luggage, providing lots of opportunities for different uses.
Available in multiple pattern, design, and color options, this high-style bag has a stylish exterior with complementary trim on handles and finishes, and a beautifully lined interior. For example, the one pictured here is of a durable and luxurious tweed canvas with an animal print interior lining.
Smartly designed inside and out, this tote provides lots of versatility with pockets and pouches for easy access, including 3 front, 2 side, and 1 back zippered pocket, plus clear storage pouches inside. The loop carry handles can be buttoned together to keep them from flopping about.
Sizes vary slightly, depending on the specific style you choose, but it is approximately 15 x 14 x 8.5 inches, and weighs only 5 pounds.
Delsey Quilted Rolling UnderSeat Tote
Add some style to your travels with this quilted under seat rolling tote from Delsey luggage. The Delsey Quilted Rolling UnderSeat Tote bag features a diamond quilted pattern of durable polyester. Roll it with the in-line skate wheels or carry it with the top handles, this versatile bag is easy to take with you wherever you go. And if you’re also taking a larger luggage piece, simply slip your under seat tote bag onto the handle using the slip through band on the back of the bag.
Multiple pockets provide tons of storage and organization options, including a foam padded front zippered compartment perfect for tablets, iPads, or ebooks. Side pockets are great for water bottles or rolled magazines, and the easy access organizer in the front pocket is perfect for tickets, passport, and more. Plus use the multiple interior pockets for toiletries, socks, and other smaller items.
This bag measures 14.5 x 14 x 9 inches and weighs only 5 lbs, 9 oz, perfect for an overnight trip or as a second bag to store onboard under the seat in front of you or easily lifting into the overhead compartment. Choose from rich chocolate brown or purple colors. Then rest easy knowing you’re covered with Delsey’s 5-year limited warranty.
Samsonite DK3 Underseater With Laptop Compartment
Samsonite makes our list of top picks again with the DK3 Underseater. This handsome bag is ideal for the air traveler who wants to keep their laptop easily available yet well protected. This roomy bag features a padded laptop compartment in the front, ready to accommodate your up to 15.6 inch screen computer. The rugged polyester/nylon twill construction is built to minimize scratches and marks and take on the rigors of frequent travel.
As with the others on this list, this bag glides smoothly on 2 integrated wheels, and is designed with lots of useful storage compartments for countless organizing possibilities. The laptop pocket plus the spacious main compartment make this the perfect bag for an overnight trip for business or pleasure.
So if you want to avoid the hassle of putting your carry on bag overhead, then you won’t go wrong with a small under airplane seat bag. The best under seat rolling carry on is compact and lightweight and helps make flying with your carry on luggage a breeze.