U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) has urged airlines on Monday not to adopt a plan that would let carriers reduce the maximum size for carry-on luggage.
The proposal was made by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It would set carry-on size limits at 21.5 inches tall, 13.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep. The current maximum sizes for American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines are 22 inches tall, 14 inches wide and 9 inches deep.
“With already-sky-high air fares, travelers should not be forced to spend hundreds of dollars on new carry-on luggage to fit this newly proposed policy for airlines,” Schumer said. “I am urging airlines to ground any attempts to change the current carry-on luggage policies that travelers are already familiar with and accustomed to. Air travelers should not be forced to pay more fees or buy new luggage.”
Other airlines have larger maximums, including Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Virgin America.
Several international airlines have said they will adopt the IATA recommendations, including Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Air China and China Southern.
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