airline carry-on sizing reduced?

[angelinaxox]

Just wondering if anyone had recent experience with this- I recently read an article stating that airlines are tightening up carry-on sizing guidelines. Basically, the bag has to meet the requirement including wheels and handles. So even if the bag states on the label that it is 22", that is referring to the capacity, whereas the airline's 22" is referring to the outer dimensions. I just don't want to get hit with checking 5 bags that we weren't intending to check.

Our carry-on bags don't have inset wheels. I'll reference the article if I can find it.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...10/carry-on-luggage-bag-size-limits/10246511/

Two weeks ago we were surprised by this at the Newark Airport with United Airlines. I usually fly out of Philly on US Airways so I thought it was a difference in airline policy. When people were going to board, they were asking people to put any bags that didn't look regulatory in the checker. The normal small rolling carry ons that a lot take weren't questioned; it was just anything nonstandard looking. We saw a couple who were instructed (in a not so nice way)to place their bags in the checker. Since they didn't fit, they were going to have to check them and the couple was told they would be charged. I was shocked; in all my previous travels, I have never seen any bag placed in those checkers. Also, the workers were questioning and stopping people if they had more than one small and one large item. I thought it was all due to me flying a different airline, but now I am guessing it is due to the change in guidelines.

 

[darkwing818]

For all of the Conspiracy Theorists out there, is there some way that DCL is really behind all of this?? Maybe another Money Grab.

 

[sillecruisers]

We just purchased new luggage a few weeks ago for our upcoming trip. In light of these regulations, we measured our new carry-ons, and they were 23 inches with handles and wheels. We opted to return them and ordered 3 new carry-ons from amazon that are listed as 20" spinners. I feel confident that when they arrive they will be within the 22" guidelines. Just playing it safe. It would upset me to have to pay $50 round trip per bag to check 3 carry-on bags that I don't feel should need to be checked. Less hassle to not have to worry about it.

Thanks for all the feedback! I'll try to remember to post an update here after our trip, with a link to our carry-ons if they pass muster with Delta.

 

[Minniemiss]

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[sillecruisers]

Looks like it may be delayed.

http://skift.com/2015/06/17/iata-pauses-cabin-ok-carry-on-baggage-proposal-after-consumer-confusion/

Of course. Because I just purchased bags to fit the new guidelines yesterday. But no matter. I am happy with the new bags and will travel with confidence moving forward.

 

[Minniemiss]

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[Bella29]

My experience with Delta is that if you can get it through TSA's security, then you can check it at the gate for no cost. On full flights, they are usually begging for people to gate check their bags. And even though they have their official published dimensions, the actual size that will fit varies from plane to plane. I have one bag that is 21", fits in the little sizer box and has fit easily on every single flight I have been on previously. But last weekend I flew on a regional jet and the (Delta) flight attendants informed me I needed to gate check it both ways. On the way to my destination it was waiting for me on the jetway when I left the plane. But on my way home, same issue, same regional jet, and I had to wait in customs for 20 minutes for my bag to come down the carousel along with all the normally checked luggage. If I recall correctly, Delta into Orlando also sent the gatechecks all the way through. Ask the attendant who gives you the gatecheck, they usually know where your bag will re-appear (and are mostly correct, though not 100%).

 

[staceymay00]

I just flew Delta last month and realized in the airport that my rolling carry on suitcase is now a little too large to meet the size limit. My outbound flight was only half full, however, and no one ever questioned the size of my carry on bag bag. My return flight was completely full, though, and the gate agent asked if I would like to check my bag, which I did since it was free of charge at the gate. She was nice about it and did not make me feel like I had to check my bag, but maybe she would have insisted if I had said no.

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

We just experienced this for our trip to Europe this summer and were prepared, just in case. We had heard prior to the trip Air Canada was starting a new program in Toronto to have you check your carry on's in the metal container to see if they'd fit and if so, you were given an approved sticker to put on the luggage, if not you had to check it. We made sure we bought a new 17in carryon and it barely fit because the hardest part I found was the depth. Once you put something in the inside - it pokes out and is no longer the size allowed. Also, for some airlines it's not ok to be the "combined" measurements and each measurement must be within guidelines (so just confirm with the airline you are using).

In addition, for the planes that have the entertainment systems, most of those boxes are usually under the seat in front of you, near your feat so that will minimize what you can fit in front of you which means for most people, that's more in the overhead cabins. We had this on Iceland Air this summer but luckily the overhead bins weren't packed for us and our backpacks fit up there easily.

Heather

 

[Plaid Princess]

A comment from someone that is a frequent flyer every week on American Airlines, I have seen people have the size of their carry ons checked at the gate, however, have yet to ever see anyone have to pay for it. At DFW, the gate agent will even announce if the flight is completely full or not and that if anyone wants to gate check their bag, they are free to do so, at no charge.
Dallas and Chicago are both HUBS for American and it is very unlikely the procedures would vary.

I'd say that most airlines (Excluding the super cheap ones like Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier) aren't going to charge at the gate purely because it saves time to skip it, and every bag they check early is one less they have to take at the end of boarding when the bins are all filled up.

The normal small rolling carry ons that a lot take weren't questioned; it was just anything nonstandard looking. We saw a couple who were instructed (in a not so nice way)to place their bags in the checker. Since they didn't fit, they were going to have to check them and the couple was told they would be charged. I was shocked; in all my previous travels, I have never seen any bag placed in those checkers. Also, the workers were questioning and stopping people if they had more than one small and one large item. I thought it was all due to me flying a different airline, but now I am guessing it is due to the change in guidelines.

Nope, those have always been the guidelines, and they are always available on airline websites, and usually are also included in confirmation emails. The FAA has been coming down on airlines who don't comply and enforce; it's actually an FAA requirement to enforce size and number of carry on bags... it has to do with how the pilots calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft.

 

[JimmyV]

I fell victim to this on American Airlines. They had the checker box thing at the gate (AA) and everyone was putting their bags in. If it did not fit, not only were you gate checking it, you were paying for it! They did this in San Diego, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Washington DC within the last year.

I've been on 10 AA flights in the past three weeks and never, ever saw anyone's bag sized, nor did I see anyone have to pay to check their bags. Quite the contrary. They were always very clear in announcing that:

• If you are in Boarding Group 3, you might not have space for your bag in the overhead, and if you were in Boarding Group 4, it was highly unlikely that there would be space for your bag, and
• If you want to check your bag through to your final destination, you can do so free of charge, but that you should remove all valuables, electronics, lithium batteries and medications. This has pretty much become a new standard speech.

A comment from someone that is a frequent flyer every week on American Airlines, I have seen people have the size of their carry ons checked at the gate, however, have yet to ever see anyone have to pay for it. At DFW, the gate agent will even announce if the flight is completely full or not and that if anyone wants to gate check their bag, they are free to do so, at no charge.
Dallas and Chicago are both HUBS for American and it is very unlikely the procedures would vary.

This has been exactly what I have seen. The overhead bins on AA's new planes are actually quite a bit larger than they old ones, so there is no real reason why bag sizes should have to shrink down. The typical "rollerboard" fits quite well in these overhead compartments.

 

[JLMDisneyCruise]

Ah, the joys of flying first class!

 

[JimmyV]

Ah, the joys of flying first class!

...or, at a minimum, qualifying for "premiere status" on your airline of choice. My DW has ordered me to fly enough miles to re-qualify next year. After that, I will have reached the Million Miler Club and will be premiere for life! So I am looking for one more trip to California, by way of New York to Miami to Chicago to LAX and back!

 

[JLMDisneyCruise]

Yah, I can take 3 free checked and carry ons free of charge. Weight restriction with that is 75 P9ounds not 50!

 

[JTBE]

I just bought new carry-ons for my entire family to comply with the new dimensions regulations.

 

[Berger]

I'd say that most airlines (Excluding the super cheap ones like Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier) aren't going to charge at the gate purely because it saves time to skip it, and every bag they check early is one less they have to take at the end of boarding when the bins are all filled up.



Nope, those have always been the guidelines, and they are always available on airline websites, and usually are also included in confirmation emails. The FAA has been coming down on airlines who don't comply and enforce; it's actually an FAA requirement to enforce size and number of carry on bags... it has to do with how the pilots calculate the weight and balance of the aircraft.

nk Small…

• The maximum size carry-on bag for most airlines is 45 linear inches (the total of the height, width, and depth of the bag). Anything larger should be checked.
• No oversize packages or luggage can be stowed onboard.

From far.gov website
Just to add to the confusion.

 

[richkaryn]

Different airlines- different rules.

This happened to us in Hawaii....United's policy made bags that worked on Southwest earlier in year to a different destination not work for United flights. When we got back we yard saled/goodwilled our luggage and are in the process of buying new, because who needs 2-3 different sets for different airlines. I did save one large suitcase which several years ago worked for checked but is now too big for that.....we'll use it on car trips tp WDW because of it's large capacity.

 

[jec6613]

This happened to us in Hawaii....United's policy made bags that worked on Southwest earlier in year to a different destination not work for United flights.

Southwest has obnoxious bag sizes - mostly because they're larger than everybody else's (to the point where my normal checked bag counts as a carry-on on WN). Since they fly the 737 exclusively, it's tailored to the bin capacity on just that aircraft.

AA actually recently increased their carry-on size, with the retirement of the 727-200ER's that had smaller overhead bins. However, with wheels and handles, my normal carry-on is 21x14x7, meaning it fits on all airlines I fly - and expanded it goes to 9", which still fits most airlines.

As far as the new, smaller, carry-ons ... that whole thing got squashed pretty quickly by a number of airlines, primarily the US-based carriers. Several overseas ones, however, jumped on it, so you'll find them there; mostly on the middle eastern carriers where they make their money with cramped cattle-car in the back of big widebodies.

Long story short: middle eastern airlines pushed for the new tiny carry-on, and US based carriers pretty well kyboshed it.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

Unfortunately we booked months ago and are leaving in a few days, just discovered that Delta has the new restrictions. Southwest has free bag check but fares were much higher.

Check with them -- JetBlue changed its policy after we booked but before we traveled, and we were "grandfathered" in under the old rules. They went by ticket purchase date.

 

[jec6613]

Check with them -- JetBlue changed its policy after we booked but before we traveled, and we were "grandfathered" in under the old rules. They went by ticket purchase date.

Different sort of restrictions - but Delta doesn't have any new restrictions that are particularly different from any other airline.