Lack of hand luggage space on aircraft has become one of the main reasons for frustration between passengers and a factor of flight delays. As airlines increase the number of booth seats and charge high rates for the luggage order, the dispute for a place in the higher compartments has become inevitable.
The situation is repeated daily at the airports: minutes before boarding, an employee reports that the space in the compartments is running out, leading many passengers to gather at the boarding door in an attempt to ensure that his suitcase travels with him.
Those who give in and dispatch luggage often enter the plane and find that there is still space available.
Lack of hand luggage space on aircraft has become a recurring problem. Find out which solutions can be adopted.
The origin of the problem
In recent years, flight occupation has increased significantly. In 2024, they were registered 36.4 million flights worldwide, with an average occupancy rate of over 80%.
According to Bob Mann, aviation analyst, “If we look at the same plane for 10 years and today, he has more seats”.
This reality has a direct impact on hand luggage: more passengers carry bags with them, but the space in the upper compartments has not followed this growth.
In addition, airlines have made luggage dispatch a less attractive option for passengers. The rates can be high and there is a fear that the bags are lost or underwritten.
Southwest Airlines, which allows two free dispatched bags, has fewer problems with hand baggage, but for most carriers, luggage rates represent a significant source of revenue, as explained.
Boarding gates employees also face challenges. Pressured to ensure flights to time start to ask passengers to dispatch their bags as soon as the boarding begins in an attempt to avoid delays.
What can be done?
The solution to this problem is not simple. Some airlines are investing in larger higher compartments such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, which have announced new spaces that can accommodate all passenger’s standard hand bags.
Another possibility would be to encourage more passengers to dispatch the bags, either by reducing or eliminating the rates or a more efficient luggage tracking system, to minimize the fear of loss.
Some companies already allow passengers to follow the location of their luggage in real time, which can increase confidence in the order.
Still, the main factor behind the lack of space – maximizing the number of seats in aircraft – does not seem to be about to change.
Conclusion
The business model of airlines continues to privilege the profitability of the available space, which means that the passenger will continue to face the usual race to find a place for his hand luggage.
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