Airline group suggests smaller carry-ons
More compact bags will help maximize bin space, it says
NEW YORK — Millions of fliers might soon want to buy new carry-on suitcases.
Global airlines announced Tuesday a new guideline that recommends shrinking carry-on bags in an effort to free up space in packed overhead bins.
The guideline, which is not binding, 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 current favorite carry-on bag.
Fliers might either need to buy smaller suitcases or pay a fee to check their bags, typically $25 each way.
The recommendation by the International Air Transport Association suggests an “optimal” carry-on size at 21.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep. That’s smaller than the current maximum size allowed by many airlines. For instance, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all currently allow bags up to 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches.
Airlines around the globe have varying standards — different enough that a carry-on bag that is acceptable to one airline isn’t allowed in the cabin of another. The airline trade group says the new guideline will not necessarily replace each airline’s rules on bag size, but gives them a uniform measurement that “will help iron out inconsistencies.”
Theoretically, if airlines follow this guideline, “everyone should have a chance to store their carryon bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger,” the trade group said.
Today, it’s typical for the last 20 or so passengers to board to be forced to check their bags at the gate because the bins are already full.
Nine major international airlines will soon introduce the guideline into their operations. Chris Goater, a spokesman for the transport association, said they are: Avianca, Azul, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar.
“It’s certainly not mandatory,” Goater said.
No U.S. airlines have yet
American, Southwest predict incomes
DALLAS — American and Southwest gave disappointing outlooks for a key second-quarter revenue figure Tuesday, adding to investors’ concerns that the carriers are losing their ability to raise prices.
Shares of Southwest dropped 5 percent, while other airline stocks were mixed in afternoon trading. Investors worry that the airlines may add flights faster than the pace of travel demand.
American, the world’s biggest airline company, lowered its second-quarter forecast for its pretax profit margin and revenue for each seat flown one mile. The latter is a key figure that can fall when airlines charge lower average prices.
American said that it expects the revenue figure to decline between 6 percent and 8 percent compared with a year ago. That’s worse than the previous forecast of a decline of 4 percent to 6 percent. American reported a slight gain in traffic but more empty seats, as an increase in flying outstripped demand.
Southwest said the same revenue-per-seat figure tumbled 6 percent in May, and it expects a decline of 4 percent to 5 percent for the April-through-June quarter. signed on, but Goater expects more carriers to quickly do so. The suggested size was unveiled publicly Tuesday at a meeting of global airline chief executives in Miami.
Goater said the airlines are working with several large luggage manufacturers but none that are ready to be disclosed publicly. Bags with new labels, designating them as “Cabin OK,” are expected to be in stores by the end of the year.