Smaller Carry-On Luggage: Airline Trade Group Proposes Change

Do a few extra inches of carry-on space make a difference to you as a traveler?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade organization representing 250 airlines, is proposing a new initiative that some critics say may end up limiting the overall size of carry-on luggage.

According to the IATA, their new initiative – “IATA Cabin OK” – would create a scannable logo that can be affixed to luggage that meets their size specifications: 21.5 by 13.5 by 7.5 inches.

Luggage with the Cabin OK logo would be given priority to stay on board the aircraft when all carry-on bags cannot be accommodated in the cabin.

Although the industry group would have no enforcement powers – it would be up to each individual airline to decide their own maximum luggage sizes – the IATA has announced that “a number of major international airlines have signaled their interest to join the initiative and will soon be introducing the guidelines into their operations.”

‘PADDING PROFITS’

One of the proposal’s most vehement critics has been U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who visited Newark Airport on Monday to announce his opposition to the concept during a press conference.

Menendez said that the proposal is a “gimmick so airlines can keep padding those bag profits.”

He added that if airlines decide to reduce bag sizes, they need to eliminate or reduce checked-bag fees.

If adopted, the IATA guideline would trim the size of allowable carry-on luggage by over 20 percent for some American airlines, Menendez stated.

In a release, the senator claimed that:

• U.S. -based passenger airlines made $3.5 billion in tax free baggage fees in 2014
• Since 2008, the industry has racked up over $21 billion in baggage fees

NOT A ‘MAXIMUM’, JUST AN ‘OPTIMUM SIZE’

According to the IATA, the Cabin OK initiative aims to provide passengers with a “greater assurance that their carry-on bags will travel with them in the aircraft cabin,” especially during full flights.

“The development of an agreed optimal cabin bag size will bring common sense and order to the problem of differing sizes for carry-on bags,” stated Tom Windmuller, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security. “We know the current situation can be frustrating for passengers. This will help to iron out inconsistencies and lead to an improved passenger experience.”

If fully embraced by passengers, everyone would have a chance to travel with their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger even when the flight is full, the IATA claimed in a release.

“Cabin OK is an optimum size, not a maximum size,” the release stated.

“The dimensions have been calculated to allow all passengers on board a typical jet aircraft of 120 seats or more to be able to carry-on one piece of baggage in the normally available storage space.

“The Cabin OK guideline is smaller than the size set by most airlines as their maximum acceptable for carry-on baggage. Thus, passengers with Cabin OK carry-on baggage can travel with a greater assurance that it will be acceptable across the different airline requirements.”

Photo of a proposed Cabin OK acceptable piece of luggage courtesy of the IATA

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