As much as almost everyone tends to embrace cheap traveloptions, such as cheapfares, cheapdeals, cheapairplane tickets, discount hotel rooms, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages, manyfliers are disappointed when they board a plane only to find that there is nospace in overhead compartments to store their carry-on bags.
This problem might occur less frequently if the InternationalAir Transport Association (IATA) has its way. This organization has come out in support of creating a single standardsize for carry-on bags that will be accepted by the worlds airlines.
The intention is to construct a program thats designed tomake things easier for everybody, first and foremost for the passenger. 40 airlines across the world have expressedinterest in this initiative, according to IATA.
The only potential stumbling block is that the proposedstandard is meaningfully smaller than what most U.S. airlines accept today.
IATA is calling for a standard size for carry-on bags of 21.5inches long by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep, claiming that this wouldoptimize the accommodation of carry-on bags given differing carry-on bag sizesand airline policies.
Major U.S. airlines, including American, Delta, JetBlue, andUnited, currently allow larger carry-on bags. The standard U.S. limit is 22 by 14 by 9 inches. U.S. guidelines allow carry-ons that arealmost 600 cubic inches larger than the standard proposed by IATA.
Alaska Airlines today allows carry-ons as big as 24 x 17 x 10inches, which is 87 percent bigger than what IATA wants to impose.
The advantages of the IATA proposed smaller carry-on bagsinclude the fact that more carry-ons could be accommodated in overhead bins onthe same size planes and passengers will know if they purchase an IATA approvedsized carry-on that most airlines will allow such bags to be carried ontoflights.
After loud protests from several American airlines, IATA backeddown recently from its proposed new guideline, saying it would hold off therollout of its voluntary IATA Cabin OK rule, which it claims will giveeveryone an equal chance to store their carry-on bags on a large passenger jet.
Most experts believe that it is only a matter of time beforesmall carry-on bags becomes the rule. Airlines continue to push for greater efficiency and often that in turnmeans going smaller. Eventually U.S.fliers will likely need new luggage or will have to pack lighter.
Travelers would be wise to look into soft sided carry-on bagswhich have the advantage of fitting into overhead bins with a little massagingeven when similarly sized hard back roller bags cannot fit into the samespace. Often soft sided luggage can alsoslide under a seat if needed.
Given that smaller carry-ons are the way of the future,travelers will want to pack less and smarter. Rolling instead of folding clothes is a moreefficient way to pack as is the use nylon straps to condense swollen bags. Compression bags are helpful in squeezingmore into less space.
Remember it is not just how you pack, but also what youtake. Avoid packing heavy fabrics suchas denim. Instead pack clothes made fromlight fabrics such as silks, light cotton, and polyester. If you want to take jeans on your trip, thenyour best bet is to wear them on the plane.
The following are suggestions on how to reduce spaceaccording to Chris Elliott:
-
Go hightech by using a Genius Pack which employs laundry compression technologyincluding a secluded laundry pouch, an integrated hanging clothes feature, anda packing list to help travelers get more into less space. Its 22 inch carry-on fits most overhead binson domestic flights and is priced at $218.
-
Gosmaller by purchasing a bag that meets IATAs new recommended dimensions suchas the Pathfinder checkpoint friendly wheeled bag ($249) that is large enough tofit a change of clothes, toiletries and a laptop computer, but small enough tofit under a seat or in the overhead compartment of any airline that is enforcingthe IATA standard.
-
Use acube, such as Eagle Creeks Pack-It Cubes ($35) to squeeze shirts, dresses, andundergarments into a small space. Thesecubes zip down to half of their original size when not in use and are reusableand washable. Best of all, the tops aremade of mesh so that the cubes are breathable and you can see inside.
www.cheapfares.com