How to Use Overhead Bins on a Plane

What Are Overhead Bins?

Overhead bins are the storage compartments above the passenger seats in the airplane cabin. They're designed to hold full-size carry-on bags, coats, and larger items that won't fit under the seat in front of you. Each bin is shared by the 2-3 rows of seats below it.

What Goes in the Overhead Bin

• Full-size carry-on bags (up to about 22x14x9 inches, depending on airline)
• Coats and jackets (especially if the bin above your seat still has space)
• Larger personal items that won't fit under the seat
• Oversized or awkward items like a shopping bag, hat box, or medical equipment

What Does NOT Go in the Overhead Bin

• Fragile items — other passengers' bags will be stacked on top or against yours
• Items you'll need during the flight — once you're seated and the plane is moving, accessing the overhead bin is awkward
• Valuables you don't want out of reach — keep your wallet, passport, and phone within reach

Your personal item (laptop bag, purse, small backpack) should go under the seat in front of you, not in the overhead bin, unless it physically doesn't fit under the seat.

How to Load Your Bag

Putting your bag in correctly matters — it affects how much space is left for others and whether it fits at all.

• Wheels first, vertically: Place your rolling carry-on with the handle end out and wheels facing the back of the bin. This is the most space-efficient orientation for most bags and the standard for most airlines.
• Flat, if it's soft-sided: Soft bags can sometimes be compressed to fit. Lay them flat if the bin is getting full.
• Close the bin completely: If the bin doesn't close because your bag is too large, let a flight attendant know — don't force it.

Overhead Bin Etiquette

Use the Bin Above Your Seat First

Overhead bins are shared resources. The unwritten rule is to use the bin directly above your own seat (or the bins adjacent to your row). Taking bin space in row 10 when you're sitting in row 25 is inconsiderate — early-boarding passengers sometimes do this to secure space, but it means the actual row 10 passengers won't have nearby storage for their bags.

One Bag in the Bin

Put only your carry-on bag in the overhead bin. Your personal item (laptop bag, purse) goes under the seat in front of you. If everyone puts both bags overhead, half the passengers won't have bin space.

Don't Place Items Flat When Vertical Would Allow More Bags

A single rolling bag placed vertically takes much less space than if placed flat. Orient your bag to take up the least possible footprint in the bin.

Don't Overfill

If you can't close the bin, the bag doesn't fit. You have two options: find another bin with space, or ask a flight attendant to gate check the bag (free, and it returns to the jetway when you land).

What to Do When There's No Bin Space

On full flights, overhead bins near the back of the plane fill up last — early boarders take bins near the front. If you board in the last group and bins near your seat are full:

1. Check bins in adjacent rows — it's fine to use a nearby bin even if it's not directly above your seat
2. Check bins in rows behind you — you'll pick up your bag when deplaning
3. Ask a flight attendant — they know which bins have space and can help find one
4. Ask about a gate check — they'll tag your bag and place it in the cargo hold, returning it to the jetway on arrival for free

Can Airlines Enforce Bin Space Rules?

Yes. On some airlines (especially budget carriers) and particularly full flights, agents measure carry-ons at the gate. If your bag is too large to fit in the sizer, you'll be required to gate check it. On Spirit, Frontier, and Allegiant, this is common and sometimes comes with a fee if you didn't pay for carry-on in advance.

Opening Bins During Flight

During the cruise phase of the flight, you can access the overhead bin to retrieve or return items. However:

• Don't open bins during turbulence — items can fall out and injure passengers
• If the seatbelt sign is on, stay seated
• Be careful opening the bin — items can have shifted during flight and may fall when you open it
• Hold the bin door with one hand when opening to catch anything that might tumble out

Deplaning: Getting Your Bag Down

After landing, wait for the plane to stop and the seatbelt sign to turn off. Then carefully open the overhead bin and retrieve your bag. If your bag is heavy, ask for help — flight attendants and nearby passengers are generally happy to assist. Don't drop bags onto seated passengers when pulling them down.