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

Build Your Own Business Jet Cabin

Lufthansa Technik has a fun new site allowing you to configure a cabin of a ACJ319 or a BBJ (737-800).  It's fun to play with, but sad to think how modular a bespoke project has become.

I Love Lufthansa

Fun Friday Photo

Happy Friday.

United 757-300 at SFO

Busy Travel Week

I had a busy travel week, but the windows on United's older 737-800's are filthy.  Here's a picture from a clean Southwest window.

Southwest 737-800 Landing

Bad Ad Copy

A hotel chain ran a TV ad promoting rooms for "2,000 points and a few dollars."  Someone in marketing had to approve that copy and thought it was a good idea.  It is because it provides an alluring hook, but no useful data.  Cash & Points offers on their own are meaningless.  Some offers provide massive or minimal discounts, so more detail is needed.  The next ad might promote "0 points and a few dollars" because that's where Delta's frequent flyer program is heading.

Hard To Find Points Availability

Fun Photo - Southwest

I like this picture.

Old Logos, Cool Shot

Wings Over The Rockies Museum - Denver, Colorado

I purchased a membership to the Wings Over the Rockies museum. The Denver Botanic Gardens was a close second, but only one membership offered an evening with Buzz Aldrin. Wings is a cool museum to explore and they let you go right up and underneath the aircraft. Wings and the Botanic Gardens are both worth a stop if you are in the area.

Wings Entrance and B-52

New EA-6B Prowler and Main Hanger

F-14 and B1

Prowler Again - So New It Still Leaks Oil

Hanger View

Jet Engine Cut Away

1975 F-14A Tomcat

B-18 Bolo Restoration

Cockpit Demo Days on Select Saturdays

Fun Art

Really Short Wings

F-104C Starfighter

'Merica