Why Luggage Planning Matters
When arranging airport transportation, it’s easy to focus on the number of passengers and overlook how much luggage will be coming along. A vehicle might have enough seats for everyone, but that doesn’t mean it can carry all of your bags. Planning for both people and luggage avoids last-minute surprises and ensures a more comfortable ride.
Luggage Size Reference
Understanding standard airline luggage sizes can help you choose the right vehicle for your trip:
- Personal Item: Backpack, purse, or briefcase; fits under an airline seat.
- International Carry-On: 18–20 inches tall; fits most international airline cabins.
- Domestic Carry-On: 21–22 inches tall; fits most U.S. airline cabins.
- Small Checked: 23–24 inches tall.
- Medium Checked: 25–27 inches tall.
- Large Checked: 28–32 inches tall.
Luggage Packing Tips
- Make a packing list: Helps avoid overpacking and ensures essentials aren’t forgotten.
- Pack for half your trip: for a 7-day trip, pack for 4 days — you can do laundry or pick up items at your destination.
- Rolling vs. Folding: roll softer items and fold stiffer pieces to conserve space.
- Use packing cubes: keeps items organized and compressed.
- Fill the gaps: Use rolled socks, underwear, and small items to fill empty spaces, including inside shoes.
How Much Luggage Fits in Each Vehicle
Our fleet offers a range of seating and luggage options, but capacity changes with different passenger and bag combinations.
Sedan
- Seats 2 passengers comfortably.
- Passengers may keep a personal item in their lap, but all carry-ons and checked bags must be stored in the trunk.
- Typical trunk capacity: 2–3 medium or large checked bags, or 3–4 carry-on suitcases.
Full-Size SUV
- Seats 5 passengers with no more than 5 medium checked bags and 3–4 carry-ons.
- With 5 passengers, the third-row seat is in use, reducing cargo space.
- If more luggage is needed than space allows, a second vehicle will be required.
Limousine
- Seats 8–10 passengers comfortably.
- Trunk space is limited, similar to a sedan, so luggage capacity does not match the passenger capacity.
Mercedes Sprinter Van
- Can carry 8–10 medium checked and carry-on bags.
- Flexible layout to handle different combinations of passengers and luggage.
Pro Tip for Oversized Items
Oversized items such as skis, snowboards, or golf clubs may require upgrading to a larger vehicle. Personal items can be kept with you in the cabin, but carry-on and checked bags should be placed in the trunk to protect passenger safety and preserve the condition of the vehicle. Luggage wheels and hard edges can damage interiors, and we take every step to keep our fleet in top condition for your trip.
The right vehicle is the key to a comfortable and organized airport transfer. Whether you’re traveling alone or with a group, matching your passenger count and luggage needs will make your trip smoother from start to finish. Contact Captain’s Car Service to book the right vehicle for your travel plans.