Airline regulations vary, but most domestic flights have a maximum carry-on size of 22" x 14" x 9" - that's roughly the size of a small guitar case. International flights might have slightly different dimensions, but the idea is the same: to keep things compact and convenient. It's like packing a mini suitcase for a weekend getaway!
But why are these sizes so important? Think about it: when everyone's bags are roughly the same size, it's easier to find space in the overhead bins and under the seats. It's like a big puzzle, and each bag is a piece that needs to fit just so. And if we all had giant bags, it would be chaos up in there!