Should overhead bin space be guaranteed for everyone?

Airlines often check carry-on baggage at the gate to avoid running out of overhead bin space. This process has become quite common, especially during busy travel periods. Airlines will typically ask volunteers to gate-check their carry-ons, offering incentives like priority boarding.

However, many travelers have encountered frustrating situations when airlines involuntarily check their carry-on bags at the end of the boarding process. In these instances, passengers must retrieve their checked bags at their final destinations' baggage claim, which can create inconvenience and stress.

This uncertainty has led to a noticeable behavior among passengers: the tendency to rush to board the plane as quickly as possible. Some airlines utilize a zone boarding system, where passengers board in specific groups based on their status or seating assignments.

Unfortunately, this system can result in a scramble for those in later boarding zones, who often attempt to board earlier than their assigned time in hopes of securing overhead bin space for their carry-ons. This adds to the confusion during boarding, creating tensions and anxiety for those in later boarding zones.

Alaska Airlines was the first airline to get Boeing Space Bins

In 2018, Alaska Airlines was the first carrier to get Boeing’s Space Bins to improve onboard storage and make flying easier for customers. The larger overhead bins have a similar look and feel to Alaska’s Boeing Sky Interior bins, yet they hold more bags.

At the time, the airline's fleet of 737-900ER received the manufacturer's new Space Bins. The new overhead bins hold as many as 174 standard carry-on bags, a 48% increase compared to its previous overhead bins that held up to 117 bags. Additionally, Space Bins are deep enough to store nonstandard items, such as a guitar.

In a statement to Alaska, Boeing sales director Mark Thompson said, “Flight attendants, customer service agents, and others visited Boeing’s design center, tested prototypes, and gave Boeing’s designers insightful feedback. In addition, Boeing engineers who regularly fly Alaska observed firsthand how customers load bags into bins. Boeing truly appreciates its special partnership with Alaska Airlines.”

The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed and let customers load bags with less struggle. This should cut boarding times, improve on-time performance, and require less intervention from flight attendants. Flight attendant representatives who tried the Space Bins preferred them over traditional Boeing Sky Interior bins.

Boeing Space Bins

Ten years ago, Boeing made an advancement in air travel by introducing Space Bins, an overhead storage solution designed to give passengers more space for their carry-on luggage.

Space Bins feature a larger design, allowing them to hold up to six standard-sized bags. This benefits travelers, as it offers two additional bag slots compared to the older Boeing Sky Interior pivot bins installed on many Next-Generation 737 aircraft.

The introduction of Space Bins was a response to the growing demand for effective storage options in the cabin. By maximizing overhead storage capacity, Boeing aimed to enhance the overall travel experience by reducing the hassle of finding bag space.

Boeing claims that introducing larger overhead bins will significantly enhance the boarding process and airline turnaround times at the gate. Passengers will have less stress and anxiety about finding space for their carry-on bags.

The Space Bins' design features a lower lip height, which offers better visibility into the back of the bins, making it easier to load bags. Furthermore, the design of these bins allows for easier closure compared to the traditional pivot bins. With these advancements, Boeing aims to improve the airline's and passengers' overall travel experience.

Boeing claims the following benefits from their Space Bins:

For airlines and lessors

• Enables more passenger and cargo revenue
• Fewer passenger-related delays and missed connections
• Improves customer experience and satisfaction
• Durable, reliable, and efficient design
• Quick and easy installation

• Enables faster boarding and deplaning times
• Avoids gate checks and bag transfers
• Requires less intervention and reorganization from cabin attendants

• Increases space for carry-on luggage
• Easier bin access and visibility with a lower bin lip
• Reduces bin anxiety

How airlines can help guarantee overhead bin space for every passenger

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates that passengers are allotted only one carry-on item and one personal item onboard. The airline is responsible for effectively enforcing these rules.

Before passengers board the aircraft, gate agents play a crucial role in maintaining compliance with these guidelines. They are tasked with verifying that each passenger possesses only the two permitted items and that those items adhere to the specified size requirements.

Once onboard, flight attendants reinforce baggage policies through announcements. They kindly remind passengers to stow their personal items—like backpacks, purses, and briefcases—under the seats in front of them.

This practice maximizes available space and helps clear the aisles for safety reasons. Flight attendants emphasize that the overhead bin space should be reserved exclusively for larger carry-on items that meet the airline's requirements for carry-ons.

Additionally, flight attendants monitor the cabin to ensure that passengers adhere to these directives. When the aircraft is running low on overhead space, they often walk through the cabin and may need to assist by removing excess items, including jackets and personal items, to make room for larger carry-on bags.

Forced to check your carry-on, and there was still space onboard?

Many passengers have encountered a frustrating experience while traveling: the moment toward the end of boarding when the gate agent begins gate-checking all remaining bags to their destination, only to discover that there is still ample space available in the overhead bins for their carry-on luggage.

However, they had to go to baggage claim after landing because their bag had been checked. Instead of landing and quickly leaving the airport, the passenger had to spend extra time waiting for their bag. To make matters worse, there is always the risk that the bag could get lost or damaged, adding further hassle to the travel experience.

Delta Air Lines provides its gate agents with specific thresholds determining how many bags must be gate-checked. This threshold varies according to the type of aircraft and the number of passengers booked for the flight. Also, flight attendants alert the gate agents to check bags when the overhead bins appear full.

However, there are instances when flight attendants prematurely signal that the bins are full or when the threshold for gate-checking bags is set too high compared to the actual number of bags passengers bring onboard.

Furthermore, the airline actively encourages its agents to gate-check bags to minimize the chances of late departures. This emphasis on timely check-in procedures is part of a broader strategy to ensure that flights depart as scheduled.

On-time departures are not just a matter of punctuality but a crucial performance indicator that the airline's shareholders and clients closely monitor. Maintaining a strong reputation for reliability enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty, contributing to its long-term success in the competitive aviation industry.

Jessica Babauta is a Delta Red Coat airport customer service supervisor. Her career in the airline industry began as a ramp agent, giving her a unique and comprehensive understanding of why the airline frequently runs out of overhead bin space.

She explains that the ramp and gate agents must adhere to strict operational timelines. For instance, the ramp crew is required to close the baggage bin doors by a designated time to ensure that all luggage is properly loaded onto the aircraft. Similarly, gate agents must ensure that the boarding door is closed by a certain deadline.

"Passengers move faster without their bags in the aircraft, so checking their bags gets them boarded safely and as quickly as possible, and agents meet their metrics," said Jessica.

However, some flights are payload optimized, the aircraft's weight and balance are carefully managed, and bags cannot be gate-checked at all. In these situations, gate agents ensure passengers have only their FAA-allowed carry-on and one personal item.

On payload-optimized flights, flight attendants play a crucial role in managing the limited space for carry-on luggage. To ensure that every passenger can fit their bag onboard, they must diligently monitor that only carry-on luggage is placed in the overhead bins.

While monitoring the overhead bin space, flight attendants must remove passengers' personal items, such as jackets and smaller bags, that may take up valuable space. This approach maximizes the use of overhead bins and ensures passengers utilize the storage space available under the seat in front of them.

Interestingly, on payload-optimized flights, every single bag often fits perfectly onboard. This outcome starkly contrasts flights that are not payload-optimized, where bins frequently appear full, leading to frustration among passengers who may involuntarily check their bags at the gate.

The efficiency displayed on payload-optimized flights highlights the importance of diligent management and cooperation between flight attendants, gate agents, and passengers. This ensures a smoother boarding process and a more pleasant travel experience.