More confusion over airline carry-on luggage is in the wings as new guidelines are drawn up.
The size of bags allowed onto a plane could be screwed down further if carriers adopt new proposals put forward by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the industry trade body.
A spokesman for IATA stressed that the proposals were guidelines and that airlines could set their own limits.
Currently, every airline has its own rules on size and weight and these can vary considerably.
The new limit would fix the maximum size to 21.5” (54.6cm) tall, 13.5” (34.3cm) wide and 7.5” (19cm) deep.
|
Height |
Width |
Depth |
|
|
IATA |
54.6 |
34.3 |
19 |
|
Ryanair |
55 |
40 |
20 |
|
easyJet |
56 |
45 |
25 |
|
BA |
56 |
46 |
25 |
Eight companies have already signed up to the new plan: Lufthansa, Avianca, Air China, China Southern, Cathay Pacific, Azul, Emirates and Qatar.
Luggage over the size limit would have to be checked in to the hold, which can provoke a charge with many carriers.
Talks have been held with leading aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus as well as luggage manufacturers who no doubt are happy to oblige by making a new line of bags which will be marked with an “IATA Cabin OK” label.
According to IATA the smaller size should speed up boarding and guarantee that everyone gets to have one bag on board. “We see this as a win, win, win for everybody,” a vice president said. Everybody?
________
From easyJet's website:
All customers can bring ONE cabin bag up to the maximum size of 56 x 45 x 25cm including handles and wheels. Overhead locker space is limited on board the aircraft and on busy flights your cabin bag may have to go in the hold.
If you’re an easyJet Plus cardholder, FLEXI fare or Upfront or Extra Legroom customers then you can bring ONE additional small under seat bag (handbag/Laptop) with a maximum size of 45 x 36 x 20cm which will need to be placed under the seat in front. In order to secure your overhead locker space we recommend that you use easyJet Plus Speedy Boarding to be among the first to board the aircraft.
