Yes, 11 of 12 airlines here count the wheels and handles in a carry-on’s size, so measure the bag from the floor to the top of the handle, wheels included. Avelo doesn’t say, so measure with them anyway.
By airline
Do wheels and handles count? Each airline’s own pages, as of October 2026
Airline
Carry-on
Checked bag
Personal item
American Airlines
Yes
Not stated
Not stated
Delta Air Lines
Yes
Not stated
Not stated
United Airlines
Yes
Yes
Not stated
Southwest Airlines
Yes
Yes
Not stated
Alaska Airlines
Yes
Not stated
Not stated
JetBlue
Yes
Yes
Not stated
Frontier Airlines
Yes
Yes
Yes
Allegiant Air
Yes
Not stated
Yes
Hawaiian Airlines
Yes
Not stated
Not stated
Sun Country Airlines
Yes
Yes
Not stated
Breeze Airways
Yes
Not stated
Not stated
Avelo Airlines
Not stated
Yes
Not stated
Not stated: the airline’s page for that bag doesn’t say. The safe reading is to include them.
Some go further. Frontier includes straps, Allegiant includes pockets and decorations, and Southwest counts any attachments.
How much wheels add
Travelpro Maxlite 5, the case alone and overall, as Travelpro lists them
Suitcase
Case alone
With wheels and handles
Added to the height
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Compact Carry-On Spinner
19.5 x 13.75 x 9 in
22 x 14 x 9 in
2.5 in
Travelpro Maxlite 5 International Carry-On Spinner
19 x 15 x 7.75 in
21.75 x 15.75 x 7.75 in
2.75 in
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Carry-On Rollaboard (22 inch)
21 x 14 x 9 in
23 x 14.5 x 9 in
2 in
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Medium Check-In Spinner (25 inch)
25 x 18 x 11 in
27 x 18.5 x 11.5 in
2 in
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Medium Check-In Rollaboard (26 inch)
26 x 18.5 x 11 in
28 x 19 x 11 in
2 in
Travelpro Maxlite 5 Large Check-In Spinner (29 inch)
29 x 20.5 x 12.5 in
31 x 21 x 13 in
2 in
Travelpro’s 22 inch Rollaboard is a 21 inch case and 23 inches tall overall. Monos and Away print one outside size for each suitcase, wheels and handles included. Samsonite UK’s product pages don’t say whether theirs include them.
How to measure
Stand the bag on its wheels with the handle pushed all the way down.
Measure from the floor to the top of the highest handle.
Measure the width at the widest point, side handles and wheel housings included.
Measure front to back with the bag packed, pockets and straps included.
Type the three into Will my bag fit? to see each airline’s answer.
HeightWidthDepth
Height runs from the floor to the top of the handle, pushed down. Width and depth take in the wheel housings, side handles and a packed front pocket.
Common questions
Do wheels count for checked bags?
Yes on United, Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, Sun Country and Avelo, which include wheels and handles in the 62 linear inch checked bag size. The other airlines here don't say either way.
Does the telescoping handle count when it's down?
Yes, a handle pushed all the way down still sits at the top of the bag, and 11 of 12 airlines here count the handles in a carry-on's size. Measure to the top of it.
Airline limits come from each airline’s own baggage pages, read in October 2026. Suitcase sizes come from Travelpro’s, Monos’ and Away’s own product pages. Checked against published data from Travelpro, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Avelo Airlines (plus 10 more).
See all 37 sources
American Airlines, Carry-on bags (aa.com)
American Airlines, Checked bag policy (aa.com)
American Airlines, Oversize and overweight bags (aa.com)
Delta Air Lines, Carry-On Baggage (delta.com)
Delta Air Lines, Baggage Policy and Fees (delta.com)
Delta Air Lines, Excess & Overweight Baggage Policy (delta.com)
United Airlines, Carry-on bags (united.com)
United Airlines, Checked bags (united.com)
Southwest Airlines, Carryon and Personal Item Policy (support.southwest.com)
Southwest Airlines, Checked Bag Policy (support.southwest.com)
Travelpro, Maxlite 5 Medium Check-In Spinner (25 inch) (travelpro.com)
Travelpro, Maxlite 5 Medium Check-In Rollaboard (26 inch) (travelpro.com)
Travelpro, Maxlite 5 Large Check-In Spinner (29 inch) (travelpro.com)
General guidance from airline, TSA and FAA rules, checked on the date shown. Rules change, and the airline and security officers decide on the day: check your airline before you fly.
