It’s been two years since I’ve flown, so I was wondering if much has changed regarding the room available in the overhead storage: Do airlines still encourage passengers to volunteer to check their carry-on bag at the gate to conserve space in the overhead compartments (onboard a flight to major city)?
Furthermore, I recall hearing that the airlines were once considering various ideas to optimize the available overhead space. I seem to recall the airlines were considering stowing the carry-on luggage before the passengers could board, and such. Have any major airlines implemented such policies?
They do still encourage people to check bags at the gate. I haven’t heard of them stowing the carry on bags before passengers board, but I have heard that some of them sell cheaper tickets that only allow the passenger to stow a personal item under the seat in front of them. I don’t have a cite for this but recall seeing references to it.
I don’t think it’s changed much. The compartments fill up when the plane is about 70% full. They typically ask for volunteers before boarding to gate check carry-ons. (the foregoing is based on domestic US experience)
On my last three domestic flights and one short international flight they’ve asked for volunteers to check a carry on bag. Since I had to make connections and didn’t need my carry on for the layover I did. Saved money by not checking the bag at check-in and getting the same result. I always pack so I have everything I need in my personal bag, and plan on getting the opportunity to check my carry on.
One of my pet peeves. In my mind, if I pay for a seat, I should be guaranteed my share of the overhead bin. Yeah, I know some have emergency equipment, which makes that problematic.
But what corks me is that gate staff make NO EFFORT to see that carry-ons comply with the airlines’ published standards. As a result, while waiting for my group to board, I see nearly every other person boarding with more and larger carry-ons than are supposedly allowed - and know my overhead bin will likely be full.
My response is to fly 1st class.
And yeah, like folk have said, I suspect many of the people would check their bags if not for the fees. So you can avoid the fee by bringing your oversized bag to the gate and checking it for free.
We have a flight booked Denver>KeyWest in May. Delta Comfort+. I must have the additional leg room. Turns out we have ‘Dedicated’ space in the overhead bins as well. We’ll see how that works. New to me.
United, at least, does offer this level of fare – they call it “Basic Economy.” With that fare, you’re only allowed a carry-on if you put it under the seat in front of you. You also aren’t allowed to select your own seat, you’re in the last boarding group, and other minor indignities.
That’s a good question. Looking at the description on the United website, it says:
And…
It doesn’t actually say that you can’t put that personal item in the overhead bin, just that you’re limited to a small item that wouldn’t require the overhead bin (unless you’re MileagePlus Premier). And, as you note, since you’re the last to board the plane, it’s entirely likely that there won’t be overhead space available, anyway.
I understand this is how it works but it makes no sense to me as airline policy. It just encourages people to game the system, pack one too-large carryon, and save the $25 checked luggage fee by having it checked at the gate.
What this proves to me is that the checked luggage fee is just another revenue stream for the airline, started when jet fuel prices were high, and just kept around because they can. It amounts to a tax on shorter or cheaper flights, because the checked luggage fee is the same no matter how long the flight. It might be 1% of the fair or 10% of the fare, depending on the cost of the ticket.
I carry on an overnight duffel bag and a computer laptop bag. The laptop bag goes under the seat and the duffel bag can fit overhead, although it might get crammed in a bit.
This, and, it effectively lets them charge lower prices on the ticket. Now that most travelers book their own flights, and do comparison shopping on prices between different airlines, the airlines generally are loathe to price a ticket higher than what a competitor charges for the same flight (since it’s that ticket price that shoppers see on web sites).
And, so, rather than raise ticket prices in an effort to improve their profit margins, they hit travelers with fees that they’ve de-bundled from the ticket itself (checked baggage, more legroom, snacks, wifi, etc.)
I would honestly prefer if airlines completely removed the overhead bins. Or if they have to have them because of the small amount of emergency equipment, fill the rest of the space with dead dogs. I’m pretty sure you could board/deboard an airplane in five minutes or less without them.
Of course it is, it always has been. As mentioned above, it’s in direct response to people booking flights based on the lowest advertised price and nothing else. If you are willing to do a little legwork you can make these policies and fees work to your advantage, but most folks are not willing to make that extra effort. Flights are still cheaper than they’ve ever been.
I think more airlines have pushed back on this. They’ll gate check for free if they’re out of space, but they’ll charge you if the bag is just straight up too big to be a carry-on.
