Is bigger better?

For some things, bigger is better. For others, not so much.

Many airlines are replacing their overhead bins with redesigned ones that will carry more bags. This is a good sign for if the airlines pay for more overhead space, they’re unlikely to start charging for carry-ons. If only we could get the few arrogant elite fliers, like the guy mentioned in the beginning of the article, who refuse to get a smaller bag and insist they have the right to take up as much overhead room as they wish. I have just as much right to that space as they do. Only I’m more considerate, I put my bag in the right way and it fits because I don’t have wheels.

On the other hand, Airbus is marketing wider aisle seats to U.S. airlines on their A320 jets. The wider seats could be sold at a premium to help raise revenue. It’s also seen as a marketing ploy to help Airbus sell more 320’s than their biggest competitor, the Boeing 737.

Comments

[MaxD]

Frank, I think you are right. This guy quoted in the article sounds like kind of a tool. Either check your steamer trunk or learn to travel light.

I find it interesting that most frequent business travelers I see who carry-on only are not light travelers. They have large suitcases along with large computer bags.

Still, if the airlines are moving to larger bins I would imagine that nobody is going to do much about the people who bring the whole matching luggage set on board (and yet refuse to stash anything down by their feet).

[Bob W]

I agree 100%. I wish the airlines would get together and stick to their carry-on guidelines. We make sure that our luggage is well within the weight & size restrictions or we check the bag(s). You arrive at your seat and 'your' overhead bin is crammed. Passengers are carrying on everything except the kitchen sink and not (or sometimes) being stopped. It's time for the standards to be strictly followed.

[Eric]

@MaxD: I am a frequent business traveler, and I travel as light as *possible*. When on vacation I can often travel with only one bag that fits under my seat. However, for business travel I need to carry a certain amount of gear, dictated largely by my job. While I certainly won't dispute that there are carry-on travelers who could travel lighter (like the douchebag in the article), many of us do trim it down as much as we can. My rolling bag, BTW, will fit in all but the smallest plane overheads, and usually wheels in first.

[IflyfromABE]

Another comment here for a very frequent business traveler (and I also think that the guy quoted in that article is a selfish douche) : I do travel light for business, but I cannot single pack. Since at least one of my connections is usually on an RJ of one kind of another, my main bag is a Red Oxx small aviator duffle that can even fit on the overhead of a B1900 and under the seat of most planes... Packing with cubes and folders it is more than good for a 5 day business trip, and this includes running shoes and workout clothes. And on occasion I can fit a dSLR in a case with an extra lens or 2, but this is a long story... My predicament is that I have to travel with 2 full size laptops for work. Those live on my back in a backpack and that can fit under the seat in front on me in no problem