The Carry-On Baggage Crisis: Overbooking and Passenger Behavior

The article discusses the increasing problem of carry-on baggage on airplanes, attributing it to overbooking of overhead bin space by airlines and changes in passenger behavior. It examines the limitations of current overhead bin designs and the conflicts of interest surrounding baggage fees, airline efficiency, and passenger convenience. The article also explores potential solutions to the carry-on crisis, including redesigning overhead bins and the radical idea of eliminating carry-on luggage entirely.

• Airline overbooking of overhead bin space may be contributing to the carry-on baggage problem
• Changes in passenger behavior, such as the preference for carry-on luggage due to added fees and convenience, also play a role
• Current overhead bin designs have limitations and may not be able to accommodate the increasing volume and size of carry-on bags
• Conflicting interests between airline revenue from baggage fees, efficiency, and passenger convenience make solving the carry-on crisis difficult
• Potential solutions include redesigning overhead bins and the radical idea of eliminating carry-on luggage entirely