Airlines to reduce cabin bag size allowance

  • Travel
The size of carry-on luggage is set to be a maximum 55cm x 35cm x 20cm Credit: PA

Airlines are set to adopt a new rule on cabin luggage that will reduce the size of bags passengers can take on planes.

Aviation bosses introduced the guidelines last night and eight major carriers have already signed up, according to The Telegraph - with more expected to adopt the process in the coming months.

New carry on bag sizes:

  • 55cm (21.5 inches) tall

  • 35cm (13.5 inches) wide

  • 20cm (7.5 inches) deep

The International Air Transport Association announced the measures at its AGM in Miami, saying that the new "optimum" carry on bag size will clear up confusion and speed up check in.

"It'll reduce fights between gate agents and passengers," Thomas Windmuller, IATA vice president said.

Thomas Windmuller, vice president of the International Air Transport Association, shows a carry-on bag which conforms to a new minimum size announced by the group Credit: Reuters

However, passengers face buying new luggage as the new sizes are smaller than the restrictions currently imposed by many major airlines.

British Airways and easyJet's carry-on allowance is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm.

The IATA, which worked with plane makers Boeing and Airbus on the new sizing, said it is talking with major luggage brands, including Samsonite and Tumi, on producing bags in the new sizes.

Airlines that have already agreed to impose the new restrictions include Germany's Lufthansa, Emirates, and Qatar.

British airlines easyJet and Flybe told ITV News they are considering adopting the restrictions.

Easyjet said that while the bag size is smaller than it currently allows on board, "there is no doubt that an overall standard across all airlines would help customers."

The British Air Transport Association and airlines British Airways, easyJet and Ryanair have yet to comment on whether they will adopt the measures.

Cathay Pacific Airways were originally reported to be agreeing to the restrictions, but a spokesperson has confirmed that "there is no plan to make any changes to such standard at this stage". Their allotted baggage space is currently 56cm x 36cm x 23cm.