The cost of air travel is at all-time lows yet with the cheap prices comes cheap service. While most flights used to offer at least one free checked bag, most airlines now charge a whopping $25 per bag.
Unsurprisingly this has led to more passengers bringing checked luggage that aircraft simply weren’t designed for.
Frequently travelers board their flight only to find the overhead bins are already jammed, and there’s no room for a carry-on bag.
While airlines realize it’s becoming a common occurrence, and frustrating customers, they’ve decided to band together to get you to check more bags rather than eliminating the fees which were supposed to be temporary.
The slimy scheme is brought to you by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which represents 250 airlines around the world.
It claims its come up with the ‘optimal dimensions’ for carry-on bags, arguing it’s time for universal rules.
By optimal, the IATA means significantly smaller.
The new rules would also require all travelers with carry-on sized baggage to purchase new luggage.
The new size would be 21.5 inches by 13.5 inches by 7.5 inches.
Delta and American currently allows 22″ x 14″ x 9″, while Southwest allows 24″ x 16″ x 10″
Thankfully the new rules, introduced at the group’s meeting this week in Miami, are not binding, though nine airlines have signed up including Lufthansa, Cathay Pacific, Emirates and Qatar Airways.
The IATA claims that the change “means that theoretically everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger,” though the reality is that it will just result in more checked baggage fees and higher costs to consumers as they have to replace expensive luggage.
American plane operators, for the moment, seem to understand this as no airlines in the United States or Canada have announced plans to join the proposed rules.
Stay Connected
