Possible new carry-on luggage size limit & new “IATA Cabin OK” logo

There is news out today about a new recommendation which may soon be adopted by most if not all airlines regarding the maximum allowable carry-on size. Just to note: passengers are customarily allowed one carry-on luggage plus their personal-items bag such as a backpack.

When I travel with my violin my violin counts as the carry-on and I take my laptop and whatever stuff in my personal-items backpack. Even though the violin is way over the maximum allowable size for carry-ons, by law it is allowed to be taken (Thank goodness. Imagine if it were not.)

The currently allowed max size for carry-ons for most airlines is:

22 x 14 x 9 inches

And the new proposed max size is:

21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches

Newly conforming luggage will have a logo that says “IATA Cabin OK”.

More info at washington.cbslocal.com.

While most aircraft I’ve been on (and I admit I’ve only flown a little bit) seem to have no issues with overhead compartment space, there was one flight I took recently with an older aircraft where the space was very limited and the airline staff were forced to check and strictly enforce the size limit for everyone.

It is understandable that airlines want to maximize carrying capacity and increase efficiency and reduce resource consumption as much as possible and so one can imagine that when sizes are reduced even by an inch or so that adds up to a lot of compartment space for dozens or even hundreds of passengers.

Even though because of my violin I don’t usually have to deal with a carry-on, I kind of feel sorry for frequent travelers who rely on their carry-on for being limited so much.


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