IATA backs off on proposal for smaller carry-on bags
As IATA prepares to pause its drive to shrink carry-on luggage allowances for passengers, Delta Air Lines said it has no plans to reduce bag sizes on flights.
The carrier also called out IATA for not consulting with airlines before proposing the change.
"Delta has no plans to reduce the size allowance for carry-on bags, and we are concerned IATA called for a change without input from airlines," the airline said.
"Our focus and investment in the carry-on experience have been on installation of larger bins on domestic and international aircraft, and will continue to be on delivering the reliable bag service."
Last week IATA proposed a standard size for carry-on bags for all airlines – 21.5 inches by 13.5 inches by 7.5 inches to address the problem of too little overhead bin space on busy flights.
IATA’s recommended guidelines would mean most passengers flying with US airlines would see carry-on bag allowances shrink.
The ‘cabin OK’ initiative has been slammed by some in the travel industry and politicians as another opportunity to squeeze more ancillary revenue out of passengers, an accusation IATA denies.
"Cabin OK is not a revenue generating scheme for the airlines," IATA countered.
"For the vast majority of airlines, the current practice when all baggage complying with maximum size limits cannot fit into the cabin storage is to check this baggage in the aircraft hold free of charge. The Cabin OK initiative will not change this practice."
IATA earlier said the proposal had been "misunderstood in some reporting" and has now been halted for the time being.
An IATA statement said it would "begin a comprehensive reassessment in light of concerns expressed, primarily in North America."
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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