Airlines Announce Increased Overhead Bin Space – A Good Idea?
American, Delta, and United Airlines announced this past week that they be “upgrading” their overhead bin space, in order to accommodate more luggage. In this tug-of-war over passenger fees, the airlines’ checked baggage fees have resulted in customers pulling back by carrying more and more of their luggage on to the plane with them.
Courtesy of Byron, Totty/AP
According to an article by USA Today, Boeing’s new 787 aircraft have been built to accommodate today’s standard 9 x 14 x 22″ roller boards, wheels first, as opposed to sideways.
American Airlines 737 aircraft are being updated with the over-sized bins, and the newer versions of the aircraft will feature room for 48 more overhead bags. Delta is adding larger overhead compartments on their 767 aircraft, specifically the internationally-configured ones to hold 26 more pieces of luggage. And United will feature larger storage bins on their Airbus A320s to accommodate 120 roller bags, up from just 64.
Since I heard first heard this news, I have remained skeptical of the idea on two accounts. Of course, I feel I should mention that this is an issue that doesn’t really effect me since I can usually stow my computer bag under the seat in front of me.
First, from a structural standpoint how much more weight can planes take on? I know just enough about the weight and balance issue to know that it is a precarious matter, and that they have been known to play musical chairs to even it out, and even sometimes dump fuel. If an aircraft has just 30 more pieces of luggage on board, at 30 pounds a pop, that is nearly 900 pounds of extra weight.
Also, there is the issue of the amount of time required to board a plane. It seems as if this would encourage more people to carry on luggage, thus increasing the time to plane and de-plane with all of the added luggage. Maybe gate-checked bags would offset that, but there it is quite reasonable to expect folks to desire to travel with their carry-ons with them.
And airlines have been reported to crack down on passengers carrying oversized baggage. They prominently announce weight limits for carry-ons, though I personally have never seen these rules enforced.
Maybe next time I fly I will carry around a bag of bricks to see if they try and stop me:! )
Point Me to the Miles 
I’m not concerned about additional luggage. I’m figuring that luggage is just replacing luggage that would otherwise be checked; it’s not 900 pounds of ADDITIONAL luggage. And if part of the boarding difficulty now is that there isn’t enough space, so people have to spend time finding, rearranging, and in some cases sending their bag back to the front, won’t having more space help mitigate that because it will be easier to find room?
My biggest concern is it might encourage people to carry more luggage on but you are right
re-arranging from below the aircraft to on board shouldn’t have any effect.
But I am still concerned that fewer bags will be gate-checked, and the boarding process will be continue to be slowed down by passengers loading 30-60 more bags. I see your point about less shuffling as that does take some time, but it might be a wash.
Thanks for the comment and different perspective.
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