New Airline Carry-On Guidelines: Smaller-Sized Carry-Ons Likely To Be Implemented

New airline carry-on guidelines might be in the works, making this something travelers need to be concerned with. Due to size restrictions in overhead compartments on aircraft, the International Air Transport Association announced a new guideline Tuesday recommending that travelers carry smaller bags to allow for more storage, the Week reports. This announcement was made at a meeting of global airline CEOs in Miami.

As it stands now, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines allow carry-on bags up to 22-inches-by-14-inches-by-9-inches. Under the new airline carry-on guidelines, they want to reduce the “optimal” size of carry-on bags to 21.5-inches-by-13.5-inches-by-7.5-inches.

The new carry-on guidelines haven’t been officially introduced, but if it happens, passengers must either tote a smaller-sized bag or check them into baggage.

Boston Globe adds in its report that although the new airline carry-on guidelines aren’t binding, it means that “many existing bags currently in compliance with airline rules would not be given preferential treatment in the boarding process. While details of how the guideline will be implemented are murky, and could vary from airline to airline, it raises the possibility that many fliers would be forced to check their favorite carry-on bag.”

Moreover, the airline trade group explains that if airlines follow the new guideline, “everyone should have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger.”

Eight major international airlines plan to reportedly introduce the new guidelines soon. Chris Goater, a spokesman for the transport association, reveals that those include Air China, Avianca, Azul, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa, and Qatar.

However, Goater notes that it’s “not mandatory.”

It’s typical on any given day for the last 20-something passengers boarding to be forced to check their bags at the gate because of bins being filled.

None of the U.S. airlines are as prepared as the international ones to implement the new carry-on guidelines, but Goater believes they’ll do so. The airline carriers are currently working with a number of large luggage manufacturers, but none are yet disclosed to the public.

Air travelers can reportedly expect bags with new labels that let airline staff know they’re “approved” for carry-on. Labels on the bags may read, “Cabin OK,” and are expected to be in stores next year.

The new airline carry-on guidelines might not come as a total shock to travelers since full overhead bins on planes remain a constant problem.

[Photo Credit: Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images]