Aiming to Standardize Sizes, IATA proposes new Carry-on Baggage configurations

IATA, the largest trade group for the world’s airlines, has proposed standard size for luggage that passengers are allowed to bring on board planes with an aim to eliminate the inconvenience caused due to varied luggage configurations of different airlines.

At a meeting in Miami on Tuesday, International Air Transport Association (IATA) stated that the new guidelines will give a uniform measurement that will help iron out inconsistencies as currently the dimension of a carry-on bag that is acceptable to one airline isn’t allowed in the cabin of another.

Tom Windmuller, IATA’s senior vice president for airport, passenger, cargo and security stated,” This is a program that is designed to make things easier for everyone”.

IATA further asserted that imposing smaller bag limits will ensure everyone can fit their carry-on luggage into the overhead bins and also the airlines can maintain larger carry-on standards.

However, this standardization might suffocate the current prescribed dimensions of airlines. Since, the proposed size limits by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) are slightly smaller than the current maximum size allowed by many US carriers; Americans would need to shop new baggage.

The IATA has recommended the optimal carry-on size to be 21.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep whereas, the American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines currently allow bags up to 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches.

Windmuller informed that several foreign carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar, have already agreed to accept the IATA standard and 30 to 40 other airlines have expressed interest in accepting it.