Need to buy a new carry-on suitcase? Proposed standard may shrink to fit everyone’s hand luggage

▲ Aside from checked luggage, some passengers are accustomed to bringing an additional carry-on suitcase on the plane. (Illustration / Daguan Images)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

When traveling abroad, in addition to checked baggage, many passengers are used to bringing a carry-on suitcase on board. However, since cabin baggage size regulations vary by airline, it’s not uncommon to arrive at the airport only to find that your suitcase doesn’t meet the requirements. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has proposed recommended unified optimal dimensions for carry-on suitcases under the concept of “ensuring every passenger can bring one,” helping travelers avoid confusion.

According to a report by the BBC, IATA’s recommended optimal carry-on suitcase dimensions are 55x35x20 cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches). IATA stated that their recommendation is based on an aircraft with 120 seats or more. If every passenger brings a carry-on suitcase, these dimensions help prevent situations where there’s no room left in the overhead bins.

▲ Reducing the standard size for carry-on luggage can help ensure that most passengers’ bags fit in the overhead compartments. (Illustration / Daguan Images)

Referring to regulations of national airlines such as EVA Air, China Airlines, and TransAsia Airways, the current international carry-on baggage size limit is that the length x width x height must not exceed 56x36x23 cm (22x14x9 inches). The suggested dimensions from IATA are slightly smaller than those of national carriers.

Regarding IATA’s recommended standards, Cathay Pacific stated that its current carry-on baggage size limit is 56 x 36 x 23 cm (22 x 14 x 9 inches), and the airline will maintain this standard without any adjustments for the time being. Meanwhile, airlines such as Emirates, Lufthansa, China Southern Airlines, and Qatar Airways are considering adopting the new guidelines.

Current carry-on baggage size regulations for selected airlines:

EVA Air:Elite Class/Economy Class passengers may only bring one piece of carry-on luggage weighing under 7 kg, with each piece not exceeding 56x36x23 cm (22x14x9 inches), or with the sum of the three dimensions not exceeding 115 cm (45 inches).

China Airlines:The total dimensions of carry-on luggage, including wheels, handle, and side pockets, must not exceed 56x36x23 cm (22x14x9 inches), and the weight must not exceed 7 kg.

TransAsia Airways:Each passenger may carry one piece of carry-on luggage on board, with dimensions of 56x36x23 cm (22x14x9 inches), and each piece must not weigh more than 7 kg.

Japan Airlines (JAL):Each passenger is limited to one piece of carry-on luggage in the cabin, with maximum dimensions of 55cm × 40cm × 25cm (22 × 16 × 10 inches), or the sum of the three sides must be less than 115 cm (45 inches). In addition, the combined weight of a personal shopping bag or handbag must not exceed 10 kg.

All Nippon Airways (ANA):Each passenger is limited to one piece of carry-on luggage in the cabin, with maximum dimensions of 55cm × 40cm × 25cm (22 × 16 × 10 inches), or the sum of the three sides must be less than 115 cm (45 inches). In addition, the combined weight of a personal shopping bag or handbag must not exceed 10 kg.

Cathay Pacific:Regardless of cabin class, each passenger is limited to one piece of carry-on luggage in the cabin, with maximum dimensions of 56x36x23 cm (22x14x9 inches). However, the weight limit varies by class: 7 kg for Economy/Special Economy, 10 kg for Business Class, and 15 kg for First Class (the combined weight of carry-on luggage and duty-free items must not exceed the above limits).

Singapore Airlines:Economy Class passengers are allowed one piece of hand luggage, with the total of length, width, and height not exceeding 115 cm, and a maximum weight of 7 kg.

Thai Airways:Each passenger is limited to one piece of carry-on luggage in the cabin, with maximum dimensions of 56x45x25 cm (22x18x10 inches), and a maximum weight of 7 kg.

★Image is a copyrighted photo provided exclusively to ET News Cloud by Daguan Images. No part or all of it may be reproduced by any website, newspaper, or TV station without permission from Daguan Images.