British Airways is the latest airline to crack down on the size of passengers’ carry-on luggage. Image: Bob Al-Greene, MashableBritish Airways is shrinking the size of carry-on baggage that passengers are allowed to take on flights. Beginning August 18, the airline will decrease the size allowance for passengers’ second carry-on bag from 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 36 x 20cm) to 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15cm).
British Airways is shrinking the size of carry-on baggage that passengers are allowed to take on flights.
Beginning August 18, the airline will decrease the size allowance for passengers’ second carry-on bag from 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 36 x 20cm) to 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15cm). The size allowance for passengers’ main carry-on will stay the same: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25cm).
However, British Airways is taking steps to rein in excess baggage brought on board by passengers, and the change is likely intended to ensure that any second bags will fit underneath seats instead of requiring overhead bin space. When everyone on a flight brings several bags with them, precious bin space fills up quickly and that can delay departures and even cause fights between passengers.
“We know that customers want their flights to leave on time, so we are looking at a number of initiatives to help us maintain punctuality,” British Airways said in a statement. “We are asking customers to help us achieve this by adhering to our hand baggage allowance.”
British Airways typically does not charge a fee for the first checked bag for economy passengers, although there are “hand baggage only” fares, meaning passengers save some money if they don’t check anything.
Meanwhile, U.S. carriers have seen an understandable increase in carry-on baggage since the widespread introduction of fees for even a single checked bag.
British Airways is shrinking the size of carry-on baggage that passengers are allowed to take on flights.
Beginning August 18, the airline will decrease the size allowance for passengers’ second carry-on bag from 18 x 14 x 8 inches (45 x 36 x 20cm) to 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15cm). The size allowance for passengers’ main carry-on will stay the same: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25cm).
However, British Airways is taking steps to rein in excess baggage brought on board by passengers, and the change is likely intended to ensure that any second bags will fit underneath seats instead of requiring overhead bin space. When everyone on a flight brings several bags with them, precious bin space fills up quickly and that can delay departures and even cause fights between passengers.
“We know that customers want their flights to leave on time, so we are looking at a number of initiatives to help us maintain punctuality,” British Airways said in a statement. “We are asking customers to help us achieve this by adhering to our hand baggage allowance.”
British Airways typically does not charge a fee for the first checked bag for economy passengers, although there are “hand baggage only” fares, meaning passengers save some money if they don’t check anything.
Meanwhile, U.S. carriers have seen an understandable increase in carry-on baggage since the widespread introduction of fees for even a single checked bag.
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