After Air Canada’s decision to start charging passengers for carry-on baggage sparked widespread controversy, another topic related to carry-on luggage has ignited public debate. Flight passengers have been actively discussing the issue of how to handle carry-on luggage on social media platforms.
Flying on airplanes is a common experience for most people, and with the evolving baggage policies of airlines, discussions about carry-on luggage have been on the rise. Currently, passengers are engaging in lively debates about where to store their carry-on luggage and the policies surrounding them.
Recently, the Indian government mandated that airline travelers can only carry one piece of hand luggage, applicable to both domestic and international flights. Any additional baggage must be checked in.
Starting next year, passengers flying with Air Canada within North America or to destinations such as Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean will have to pay extra for their carry-on bags.
In the United States, airline passengers have been discussing on social media how to manage their carry-on luggage aboard planes.
A Reddit user recently posted about only bringing a small backpack as their carry-on and being part of the first group to board the plane, naturally placing the backpack in the overhead bin above their seat. However, as more passengers boarded, the overhead bins filled up, and they, along with others with small carry-ons, were asked to remove their bags from the bins and store them under the seats in front of them, feeling it was unfair.
The user expressed, “I personally find it unfair, why am I being penalized for having less luggage than others? I told a few friends about this, and they hold the opposite view, believing that passengers with large wheeled carry-on suitcases have the right to use the overhead bin space (even if the airline offers free checked baggage service). What is the common consensus here? If you travel with just a backpack, do you lose the right to use the overhead bin space?”
Fox News Digital has compiled more discussions among airline passengers on how to handle carry-on luggage.
Fox News Digital reported on December 26th that a traveler shared their recent experience on the Reddit forum “r/unitedairlines” regarding the “ownership” of overhead bin space and smaller personal items.
The user discussed a recent travel experience related to the “ownership” of overhead bins, stating, “I was on a plane yesterday, and the flight attendant announced that your items do not have to go directly above your seat, you can find any overhead space available.”
“The plane was packed, the space quickly ran out, and people were scrambling in the aisle. To address this issue, the flight attendant also requested that if your carry-on item can be stored under the seat, please place it there. This seems like a good deed,” the user said.
Fox News Digital reached out to United Airlines for comments.
Some Reddit users in the comments section pointed out, “Honestly, some ‘carry-ons’ are simply massive.”
Some users were concerned about passengers carrying multiple pieces of luggage. One user mentioned that passengers should only be allowed to put one carry-on in the overhead bin. “I saw someone boarding with a computer bag, a handbag, a carry-on, a backpack, and a snowboard,” the user stated.
Another user added, “What’s most frustrating is that early boarders only have a couple of items in the overhead bin, but when the third group boards, there’s no space left, and they have to go back to check it in at the gate.”
Users also shared their preferences regarding where to place their luggage.
“I always put my carry-on in the overhead bin across the aisle from where I’m sitting. That way I can keep an eye on it and make sure other passengers don’t mess it up when putting their own luggage in,” one user shared.
United Airlines stated on their website, “In addition to your carry-on and personal items, you can also bring some items for free,” listing items such as jackets or coats.
On another Reddit forum called “r/onebag,” a user posted a thread titled “Overhead Bin Etiquette,” urging others to consider the proper placement of personal items.
California etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall told Fox News Digital, “The overhead bin is for your carry-on, not your jacket, handbag, book, or snacks you want to reach for later.”
Randall shared a phrase commonly said by flight attendants during the boarding process to ensure available space for everyone’s carry-on luggage.
“If you board early or belong to the first few groups of boarding passengers, you might find space in the overhead bin directly above your seat, where your carry-on should go,” she added.
Randall noted that when the overhead bins are full, passengers might need to place their carry-on luggage a few rows behind their assigned seats.
Some behaviors by passengers in handling carry-on luggage may be seen as rude and inconsiderate. She stated that if your seat is towards the back, placing your carry-on in the front of the plane or taking someone else’s overhead bin space in order to fit your luggage is impolite.
She emphasized that passengers should handle their carry-on luggage with courtesy when placing it in the overhead bin, avoiding rudely stuffing shopping bags or squeezing others’ items to make room for their own, especially considering that some items might be fragile.