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IATA working with airlines on Carry-On bags

June 15, 20152 minute read
best carry-on bag size

If you’ve ever wondered what’s the best carry-on bag size to buy you’re probably confused by all the different criteria listed on airline sites.

  • Some airlines tell you how much weight you can carry, but suggest no dimensions or style of bag.
  • Some list dimensions, but no weight. Some give length width and depth and others give total dimensions with no breakdown.
  • Others tell you what else you can carry and still others are a bit fuzzy about that (handbag, reading material, camera, laptop etc.

What can be done?

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) have now come up with a suggested hand carry bag that will fit snugly into the overhead lockers on most modern aircraft and while it’s not mandatory or even subject to airline agreement, it’s being endorsed by a growing number of airlines.

To summarise carry-on bag size:

The dimensions – 55 x 35 x 20 cm (or 21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) with an “IATA Cabin OK” logo and a unique identifying number.

In addition bag owners will be able to register their IATA Cabin OK baggage with the luggage tracker service Okoban. Registration  is free of charge and helps recovery in the event baggage has been misplaced or lost.

IATA have also come up with a few answers to questions you may still have

Will it be compulsory?

It will be up to individual airlines to decide.

If my current bag is exactly these dimensions, can I get an IATA tag ?

No, the logo will only be for bags made after the launch by participating luggage makers.

If my current bag is bigger, will I need to change it?

Not necessarily. Many airlines will likely still go with their current guidelines with an emphasis on the weight of the bag.

# carry-on baggage, IATA
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4 Comments

This Post Has 4 Comments

    1. If you have a reasonable reason for carrying so many phones, I don’t see why not. There shouldn’t be any charge for this, unless they take you over the hand carry weight limit. You will need to take them all out during the security checks. Different airlines / countries may have different rules on this so it would be best to check with your airline for their policy guidelines.

  1. Can I carry a vacuum lithium ion 29.6v battery to Melbourne? I bought a cordless vacuum as a gift for my relative.

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