Is a 70-liter backpack considered carry-on luggage?
Souleymane Enok
The answer is no. A 70-liter backpack cannot be considered carry-on luggage according to airline regulations. Attempting to bring it into the cabin will expose you to unexpected checked baggage fees that can reach 85 euros at the boarding gate. A 70-liter bag significantly exceeds the dimensions authorized by all airlines for carry-on luggage, whether it is the main carry-on or a personal item.
To understand why, you only need to compare the numbers. Airlines generally allow a main carry-on bag of 55 x 40 x 20 cm maximum, depending on the carrier. A 70-liter backpack typically measures between 70 and 85 cm in height, 35 to 40 cm in width, and 25 to 35 cm in depth when packed. These dimensions consistently exceed the control sizers used at boarding gates. Even when empty, the frame of a 70-liter bag generally exceeds the cabin-allowed limits.
This classic for hikers or backpackers who head off for several weeks with all their equipment on their backs is therefore luggage that must necessarily travel in the hold on almost all commercial flights. The next logical question is what alternatives are available for traveling with a large backpack without paying excessive checked baggage fees on every flight.
In this article, we explain exactly why a 70-liter bag does not pass as carry-on, what the exact rules are per airline, and what alternatives exist for travelers who wish to travel light with a large backpack.
Why doesn't a 70-liter bag pass as carry-on luggage?
The fundamental reason why a 70-liter backpack cannot be considered carry-on luggage is a matter of physical dimensions incompatible with the control sizers used by airlines. These metal frames installed at boarding gates precisely define the maximum space authorized for carry-on luggage. Luggage that does not fit into this sizer is systematically refused in the cabin and must be checked in the hold with the corresponding fees.
The standard dimensions authorized for a main carry-on bag vary by airline but are generally between 55 x 40 x 20 cm for the strictest companies like Ryanair and 55 x 35 x 25 cm for airlines like Air France. These dimensions correspond to an approximate volume of 44 to 48 liters maximum. A 70-liter backpack therefore exceeds this theoretical volume by nearly 50% before even taking into account the actual physical dimensions of the packed bag.
Because a loaded 70-liter bag does not simply measure 70 liters in abstract volume. It physically measures between 70 and 85 cm in height depending on the model and how it's packed, compared to the 55 cm maximum allowed for main carry-on. This height dimension alone is enough to make the bag incompatible with almost all airport control sizers. Add to this a width that frequently exceeds 40 cm when the bag is properly packed with full side pockets and a depth that easily exceeds the 20 to 25 cm allowed by various airlines. The result is a piece of luggage where no dimension meets cabin standards.
The second reason is weight. Airlines impose weight limits for carry-on luggage that are generally between 7 and 12 kilograms, depending on the company and fare. A 70-liter backpack properly packed for a trip of several weeks easily weighs between 15 and 20 kilograms—double or triple the allowed limit. Even if the dimensions could be ignored, the weight alone would be enough to disqualify this bag as carry-on.
The third reason is safety and comfort in the cabin. The dimension rules for carry-on luggage are not arbitrary. They are calculated to allow all passengers on a full flight to store their luggage in the overhead bins equitably. A 70-liter bag would occupy the space of two to three normal carry-on bags in an overhead bin, depriving other passengers of the space reserved for them. Dimension rules are therefore as much a question of fairness between passengers as they are of physical constraints linked to the size of the storage compartments.
It is important to emphasize that no compression or rolling technique can make a 70-liter bag compliant with cabin dimensions. Unlike a soft 35 to 40-liter bag that can be slightly compressed to fit a sizer, a 70-liter bag with its internal frame and rigid structure cannot be reduced enough to pass through a standard cabin sizer. Any attempt to present such a bag as carry-on will be immediately and systematically refused by boarding agents who use precise control sizers.
How to travel with a 70-liter bag without paying too much for the hold?
Accepting that your 70-liter bag travels in the hold does not mean accepting exorbitant fees on every flight. With the right strategies and habits, you can significantly reduce the cost of checked baggage for your large backpack and optimize your travel budget without sacrificing your equipment.
The first and most important strategy is to book your checked baggage at the time you purchase your ticket. Airlines, especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair, easyJet, and Transavia, apply dynamic pricing to baggage options. Checked baggage added at the time of ticket booking is consistently cheaper than the same luggage added during online check-in, and much cheaper than paying at the boarding gate. The difference can be significant. Checked baggage booked in advance can cost between 10 and 25 euros on some low-cost airlines, versus 45 to 85 euros paid at the last minute at the airport. This one habit can save you several dozen euros on every flight.
The second strategy is to compare the total cost of flights with baggage rather than just comparing ticket prices. A flight advertised at 29 euros on a low-cost airline with 40 euros in checked baggage fees ends up costing 69 euros. A flight advertised at 65 euros on a traditional airline that includes checked baggage in the ticket price is ultimately cheaper for a traveler with a large backpack. This total cost comparison should become a systematic reflex before booking any flight with a 70-liter bag.
The third strategy is to choose the airlines that are most generous with checked baggage. Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, and other traditional airlines usually include one checked bag in the ticket price on their standard fares. On long-haul airlines for your intercontinental trips with your 70-liter bag, the baggage allowance is often 23 kilograms included at no extra cost. Steering your choice of airline toward operators that include checked baggage in their fares is a particularly profitable strategy for backpackers who regularly travel with a large bag.
The fourth strategy is to weigh your bag before you leave to avoid baggage surcharges. The maximum weight allowed for checked baggage is generally 23 kilograms on traditional airlines and 20 kilograms on some low-cost carriers. A poorly packed 70-liter bag can easily exceed these limits and generate surcharge fees that add to the base baggage costs. Use a digital travel scale to check the exact weight of your bag before each departure and redistribute the contents if necessary to stay under the allowed limit.
The fifth strategy is to wear the heaviest items on the day of boarding. Hiking boots on your feet, technical jacket on your back, cargo pants with pockets filled. This legal technique, commonly practiced by experienced backpackers, significantly reduces the weight of your checked bag and avoids surcharge fees without leaving anything behind.
Finally, consider the option of shipping packages in advance via services like La Poste, Chronopost, or specialized baggage shipping services like Bagsfly or Send My Bag for trips where the cost of a ticket with checked baggage is prohibitive. Shipping your 70-liter bag to your accommodation a few days before your arrival can be cheaper than airline baggage fees and saves you from carrying your bag through airports.
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Is there an alternative to the 70-liter bag for carry-on travel?
The question that many backpackers and long-term travelers ask is: is it possible to leave for several weeks with all your equipment in carry-on luggage, thus avoiding checked baggage fees and wait times at baggage claim? The answer is yes, provided you accept certain compromises on volume and adopt a more minimalist travel philosophy.
The first alternative is the 40 to 45-liter backpack specifically designed for cabin travel. These bags represent the best compromise available between the capacity required for a multi-week trip and the dimensions authorized by the most generous airlines, such as easyJet, which accepts a 45 x 36 x 20 cm bag for free. Specialized brands like Osprey with its Farpoint 40, Nomatic with its Travel Pack, or Tortuga with its Setout offer travel bags specifically optimized for cabin dimensions with hiking carry systems and facilitated access for frequent travelers. These bags allow you to travel for two to three weeks with equipment well-selected for summer conditions or warm destinations.
The second alternative is the hybrid suitcase-backpack whose carry straps can be hidden in a dedicated compartment when it travels in the hold or on transport. These 40 to 50-liter bags combine the practicality of a backpack for active travel with the discretion of a soft suitcase for more formal contexts. They are particularly suitable for travelers who alternate between hiking or active exploration phases and city stays or business trips.
The third alternative for travelers who really cannot go without their 70-liter bag is the strategy of cabin bag plus light checked bag. Divide your equipment between a 35 to 40-liter cabin bag for essential and irreplaceable gear and a small 20 to 30-liter soft bag for clothing and less valuable items. This configuration allows you to travel with a total volume close to that of your 70-liter bag while limiting your checked baggage fees to a light bag whose cost is lower than a large registered bag.
Comparative table of alternatives to the 70-liter bag for travel
| Format | Capacity | Typical Dimensions | Cabin Pass | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dedicated travel cabin bag | 35 to 45 liters | 45 x 36 x 20 cm | Yes on most airlines | 1 to 3-week summer trips |
| Hybrid suitcase-backpack | 40 to 50 liters | Variable by model | Varies by airline | Mixed city and nature trips |
| Ultralight hiking bag | 30 to 40 liters | 40 x 30 x 20 cm | Yes on all airlines | Treks with ultralight gear |
| Cabin bag + light checked bag | 35 + 20 liters | Variable | Partial cabin | Long-term travel |
| 70-liter bag | 70 liters | 75 x 40 x 30 cm | No | Checked baggage only |
The fundamental lesson of this table is that there is no perfect alternative to the 70-liter bag for carry-on travel with the exact same volume. Switching to carry-on travel requires a compromise on available volume that necessitates more rigorous equipment selection and a more minimalist travel philosophy. But for many travelers who adopt this constraint, the freedom of traveling without checked baggage, without waiting at luggage claim, and without extra fees on every flight far outweighs the reduction in available volume.
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