Airlines to address carry-on bag dilemma
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Air travellers may need to remember these figures - 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches), as this may be the optimum size of their carry-on bags in the future.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) which now hosts the annual meeting in Miami, airlines have agreed to work on the single optimum size of carry-on bags. In a statement, it said working with airline members of IATA and aircraft manufacturers, an optimum size guideline for carry-on bags has been agreed that will make the best use of cabin storage space. A size of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) means that theoretically everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger.
An “IATA Cabin OK” logo to signify to airline staff that a bag meets the agreed size guidelines has been developed.
IATA, representing some 260 airlines comprising 83 per cent of global air traffic, said that a number of major international airlines have signalled their interest to join the initiative and will soon be introducing the guidelines into their operations. It did not reveal who are the airlines.
“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. We know the current situation can be frustrating for passengers. This work will help to iron out inconsistencies and lead to an improved passenger experience,” said Tom Windmuller, IATA’s senior vice president for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security.
The organisation is also working with baggage tracking solutions provider Okoban to manage the approval process of bag manufacturers. Each bag meeting the dimensions of the specifications will carry a special joint label featuring IATA and Okoban as well as a unique identification code that signals to airline staff that the bag complies with the optimum size guidelines.
Several major baggage manufacturers have developed products in line with the optimum size guidelines, and it is expected bags carrying the identifying label will start to reach retail shops later this year. Recognition of the IATA Cabin OK logo is expected to grow with time as more airlines opt-in to this IATA initiative.
