Plane passengers may need to buy new suitcases in plan to shrink carry-on size
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Version 0 of 1. Millions of fliers might soon want to buy new carry-on suitcases. Global airlines announced Tuesday a new guideline that recommends shrinking carry-on bags, in an effort to free up space in packed overhead bins. The guideline, which is not binding, means that many existing bags currently in compliance with airline rules would not be given preferential treatment in the boarding process. While details of how the guideline will be implemented are murky, and could vary from airline to airline, it raises the possibility that many fliers would be forced to check their favourite carry-on bag. Fliers might ultimately need to buy smaller suitcases or pay a fee to check their bags, typically around $25 each way. The recommendation by the International Air Transport Association suggests an “optimal” carry-on size at 21.5 inches (55cm) tall by 13.5 inches (34cm) wide by 7.5 inches (19cm) deep. That’s smaller than the current maximum size allowed by many airlines. For instance, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all currently allow bags up to 22 inches (56cm) by 14 inches (35.5cm) by nine inches (23cm) – although gate agents don’t always enforce those more-generous measurements. “Once again, the airlines find a way to make their problem the passenger’s problem – and an expensive problem at that,” said travel industry consultant Henry Harteveldt. The lack of overhead space is due to airlines cramming too many seats on planes and charging passengers to check their suitcases, he said. Airlines around the globe have varying standards – different enough that a carry-on bag that is acceptable to one airline isn’t allowed in the cabin of another. The airline trade group says the new guideline will not necessarily replace each airline’s rules on bag size, but gives them a uniform measurement that “will help iron out inconsistencies”. Charlie Leocha, a consumer advocate and co-founder of Travelers United, said if enough airlines adopt these guidelines it will be great for travellers to at least know what size bag is acceptable on multiple airlines. However, Leocha measured his own carry-on bag Tuesday – one that he has travelled with for more than a decade and never struggled to fit into an overhead bin – to find out that it doesn’t comply with the new suggested size. “Are the airlines [in] cahoots with the baggage manufactures? It just seems crazy,” he said. Many bags already marketed as carry-on compliant actually aren’t. Theoretically, if airlines follow the new guideline “everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger”, the trade group said. Today, it’s typical for the last 20 or so passengers to board to be forced to check their bags at the gate because the bins are already full. Nine major international airlines will soon introduce the guideline into their operations. Chris Goater, a spokesman for the transport association, said they are: Avianca, Azul, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar. “It’s certainly not mandatory,” Goater said. No US airlines have yet signed on, but Goater expects more carriers to quickly do so. The suggested size was just unveiled publicly Tuesday at a meeting of global airline CEOs in Miami. The airlines said they are working with several large luggage manufacturers including Samsonite, Delsey and Tumi but none have yet signed on. Bags with new labels, designating them as “Cabin OK,” are expected to be in stores by the end of the year. |