Airlines go back to drawing board on bags

IATA's Tom Windmuller holds up the group's proposed ideal-sized carry-on bag that would allow every passenger on most flights to fit one into the overhead compartment. Photo / AFP

An airline group has ''paused'' the rollout of a programme covering the size of carry-on luggage after opposition from travellers.

The International Air Transport Association said it would reassess the initiative that recommended smaller bag sizes to ensure there was room for all luggage in the cabins of aircraft.

When the voluntary scheme was launched on June 9, airlines including Air New Zealand, Qantas and Jetstar told the Business Herald they would take a look at the guidelines but their own rules ensured they did not have major problems on their flights.

IATA, an industry group that covers most airlines around the world, said today it was going back to the drawing board and would consult its members and other programme participants.

''While the value of this initiative has been welcomed by many, including a growing list of airlines expressing interest in the program, there has also been much confusion," the association said in a statement.

"In North America particularly, there have been significant concerns raised in the media and by key stakeholders."

The initiative provided passengers with a voluntary option to use a ''Cabin OK'' labelled bag (with optimally sized dimensions of 55 x 35 x 20 cm) that would be immediately recognisable as complying with the vast majority of airline maximum size requirements for cabin baggage and be given a priority (determined by airlines individually) to remain in the cabin on full flights when cabin storage capacity was exceeded.

Airlines in the United States in particular have problems loading all cabin baggage on full flights as many passengers opt not to pay to have bags carried in the hold.

'"Our focus is on providing travellers with an option that would lead to a simplified and better experience," IATA senior vice president of airport, passenger, cargo and security Tom Windmuller said.

"While many welcomed the Cabin OK initiative, significant concerns were expressed in North America. This is clearly an issue that is close to the heart of travellers. We need to get it right.

"Today we are pausing the roll out and launching a comprehensive reassessment of the Cabin OK program with plans to further engage program participants, the rest of our members, and other key stakeholders," he said.

IATA said Cabin OK did not seek to define a maximum size for carry-on bags, which is something each airline does individually.