Recent carry-on size changes, domestic/U.S.?

[timothy]

Hi!

I talked to my mom the other night; she mentioned that she'd heard that a recent airline merger had included as one of its after-effects a reduction in the legal carry-on size. I realize that's a vague description; can anyone speak to this? That is, do you know of any recent changes to carry-on allowances on U.S. domestic flights by any of the airlines that *you* fly?

I ask partly because I'm interested in the "max-carry-on" Aeronaut, but don't want to end up with a bag that's *larger* than I should realistically expect to be able to carry, at least on flights within the U.S. Based on my other Bihn bags, I think the Aeronaut looks like my ideal ... so I hope I'm wrong.

timothy

[flitcraft]

The most recent merger, I think, is the NWA-Delta merger. Both still have the 45 total inch rule, which the Aeronaut just fits. That's pretty much the standard rule among most US major carriers, with American, Continental, and United also all using that rule. Southwest gives you 50 inches, and US Air and Alaska are the most generous at 51 total inches.

So, as far as I know, the Aeronaut works on any major domestic airline, assuming you take it easy and don't overstuff.

[scotlib]

Not the result of a merger, but a Google News search found this article about Continental dropping to the 45" size only just this month. The article includes a nice table of current (domestic) size comparisons for carry on bags:

http://www.management.travel/news.php?cid=Continental-Airlines-carry-on.Nov-08.05

[moriond]

I'm interested in the "max-carry-on" Aeronaut, but don't want to end up with a bag that's *larger* than I should realistically expect to be able to carry, at least on flights within the U.S. Based on my other Bihn bags, I think the Aeronaut looks like my ideal ... so I hope I'm wrong.

timothy

The Aeronaut shown in an airline test frame at Heathrow Airport is probably your best visual guide. You can match the Aeronaut dimensions (22" x 14" x 9"), which is still the accepted U.S. carryon size limit for domestic flights, against the size limits for that frame (22" x 17.7" x 9"). (This is the British Airways 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm limit for international flights; see the table on this page for international carry-on size and weight limits for other airlines.)

[timothy]

moriond: Thanks, I'm going to check that list right now, planning / hoping for a trip a few months from now!

timothy

[moriond]

Hi Timothy,

The Aeronaut size (22" x 14" x 9") is below the maximum for most International carriers, as you can see from the article and its table linked in my post. While there are some carriers like Ryan Air, and a few of the Asian airlines that specify smaller maximum carryon sizes, the real restriction you may face is likely to be weight. Note the large spread in weight limits among carriers who all allow carryon bags that match the Aeronaut size: 11 lbs for Malaysia Airlines and Alitalia; 13 lbs for Icelandair and Virgin Atlantic; 15 lbs for Qantas, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines; 22 lbs for Air Canada, Iberia, JAL, and All Nippon Airways; 26 lbs for KLM. Some airlines quote combined weights for personal item + 1 carryon bag (e.g. Air France 26.4 lbs). Other airlines, like Cathay Pacific and Finnair, have a standard size limit, but a weight allowance that varies according to the class of your ticket -- e.g. 15 lbs for Coach, but 33 lbs for First Class.

[timothy]

moriond:

Yes, it's an interesting spread. Glad I bought a small computer last month (3.2lbs, iirc), and that I'll be able to launder easily while I'm there.

timothy