IATA Global Carry-On Bag Standard Dropped

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that it was pausing the rollout of its Cabin OK initiative and beginning a comprehensive reassessment in light of concerns expressed, primarily in North America. This will include further engagement with program participants, the IATA membership, and key stakeholders.

The Cabin OK initiative was launched on 9 June 2015 with the aim of providing passengers with greater assurance that their carry-on bags will travel with them in the aircraft cabin, even when the flight is full. The initiative provides consumers with a voluntary option to use a Cabin OK labeled bag (with optimally sized dimensions of 55 x 35 x 20 cm or 21.5” x 13.5” x 7.5" inches).

Carry-On Sizer

I oppose this idea because I love my Briggs & Riley bag that is 9 x 14 x 22 inches and would be rendered obsolete.  It’s also a silly idea because overhead bins on 737’s and A320’s can accommodate my bag wheels first, so a smaller size won’t fit more bags in overhead bins.  Also overhead bins are growing larger through new the Boeing Sky Interior or Space Bins on Alaska Airlines.  I’m glad US airlines fought this proposal and kept the IATA from instituting a smaller standard.

What is the current standard size for carry-on bags in the USA?  There isn’t one.  Really, they vary quite a bit.  Alaska Airlines is the most generous, but bags should probably shoot for 9 x 14 x 22 inches to fit on most airlines (Delta’s size is “approximately” 9 x 14 x 22 inches, the vague definition is scary).  Interestingly, the sizes for all 737 fleets (Alaska & Southwest) are larger than all A320 fleets (Virgin America & Frontier) even though the A320 fuselage is 6 inches wider.  Here’s a list for reference. 

Most Generous Carry-On Bag Size

Free Carry-On Bags:
Alaska: 10 x 17 x 24 inches
Southwest: 10 x 16 x 24 inches
Virgin America: 10 x 16 x 24 inches
United: 9 x 14 x 22 inches
American: 9 x 14 x 22 inches
US Airways: 9 x 14 x 22 inches
Delta: Approximately 9 x 14 x 22 inches
JetBlue:  9 x 14 x 22 inches
Hawaiian: 9 x 14 x 22 inches

Charge for Carry-On Bags:
Frontier: 10 x 16 x 24 inches
Spirit: 10 x 18 x 22 inches
Allegiant: 9 x 14 x 22 inches

Canada Does it Different:
Air Canada: 9 x 15.5 x 21.5 inches
WestJet: 9 x 15 x 21 inches