IATA To Standardize Carry-on Bag Size
by Michele McDonald /IATA launched a new initiative to streamline the accommodation of carry-on bags on aircraft.
The initiative was announced at the association’s annual general meeting in Miami.
Differing carry-on bag sizes and airline policies have made boarding a tedious process, especially since carriers began charging for the first checked bag in 2008.
IATA has been working with airline members of IATA and aircraft manufacturers to determine an optimum size guideline.
Storage for all
The participants have agreed that a size of 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) would ensure—theoretically—that everyone would have a chance to store their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger.
That is slightly smaller than the 22 x 14 x by 9 inches that Delta, American and United currently allow.
IATA has developed an IATA Cabin OK logo to signify to airline staff that a bag meets the agreed-upon size guidelines.
A number of major international airlines have signaled their interest to join the initiative and will soon introduce the guidelines into their operations.
Manufacturers’ approval
IATA is 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.
“This is a program designed to make things easier for everybody, including passengers,” Tom Windmuller, IATA’s senior vice president of airport, passenger, cargo and security, said.
He said 30 or 40 major airlines have expressed an interest in the project.
All major manufacturers are on board as well and qualifying bags with logos “should be hitting the stores later this year,” Windmuller said.
Tumi, a high-end manufacturer, said new bags that are compliant with the IATA initiative will be included in its Holiday 2015 collection in stores and online.