In a press release released on 9 June, IATA (International Air Transport Association) recommended that the size of cabin baggage be reduced. Such a larger number of such luggage could be stored in the spaces designated for this purpose inside the aircraft.
Tom Windmuller, SVP of IATA's Airports, Passengers, Cargo and Security Department, said this simplifies procedures for both passengers and airlines. After the launch of this program, passengers will be able to buy luggage marked with "IATA Cabin OK" and can be sure that that hand luggage meets the size standards imposed by most airlines. For airlines, this means reducing turn-around time because the number of hand luggage that should be moved to the hold of the plane will be much smaller.
The recommended dimensions are 55 x 35 x 20 cm. Theoretically, in an 120 seat plane and even larger, all passengers could store their luggage in the special compartments dedicated to them.
Currently, cabin baggage dimensions accepted by American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are 56 x 35.5 x 23 cm. In Europe, these dimensions are 55 x 40 x 23 cm.
According to Windmuller, about 40 of airlines has expressed interest in the new standards, and 9 carriers (Avianca, Azul, Caribbean Airlines, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways) have already stated that they will implement them. IATA's new proposals are not mandatory, and airlines are free to ignore or modify them.