Wheeled carry on luggage was invented in 1989 and was at first used only by airline employees. These days carry on luggage with wheels is available to all. It has many benefits compared to standard, over the shoulder bags.

By using carry on luggage with wheels the journey through the airport will be much easier than carrying a bag. This is especially true if long distances are involved between terminals. The main benefit is found for those who find carrying luggage difficult, particularly those with neck, shoulder or back problems.

The other great benefit of using small rolling carry on luggage is no need to check bags in. Simply roll them onto the plane and put them either overhead or under the seat. Also there is no chance of delayed or lost luggage.

The dimensions of wheeled carry on luggage need to be considered. The maximum dimensions allowed on flights is 22" x 14" x 9". Anything over that size is considered illegal. Beware though that the maximum size may sometimes be too large for overhead or under seat storage so a size smaller is recommended. Weight allowances of bags must be obtained from individual airlines.

The design of the best rolling carry on luggage can vary but the concept of a bag with a handle and two wheels remains the same. It is now possible to obtain four wheeled carry on luggage as well. Wheeled carry on luggage comes in different colors, shapes and materials. Some designs come with extra features such as external pockets or a hook for a briefcase. The most common materials used are leather or polyester.

Leather wheeled carry on luggage can be heavier than lightweight rolling carry on luggage. Lighter polyester bags are more flexible to fit into small spaces whilst leather can be longer lasting. For sheer convenience over having luggage checked in though, or carrying a heavy shoulder type bag, wheeled carry on luggage cannot be recommended highly enough.