Scrambling for overhead bin space has become one of the defining features of domestic travel, however fresh research suggests that the issue has now gone international.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n More than three quarters of the world\u2019s most experienced travelers have said that finding bin space is now harder than ever before according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Overall, 76 per cent of experienced international travelers totally or somewhat agree that finding overhead bin space has become more stressful. Just 18 per cent disagree, while 6 per cent say the question is not applicable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The concerns are not just about ease, Dan Richards CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce said<\/span>.<\/p>\n \u201cTravelers should keep essential prescriptions in their personal item, carry enough medication for unexpected delays and bring copies of prescriptions or supporting medical documentation when appropriate.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe race for overhead bin space has become an unfortunate ritual of modern air travel,\u201d Richards said. \u201cFor many travelers, boarding the aircraft isn\u2019t just about finding their seat anymore. It\u2019s about finding a place for the bag that contains everything they need during the flight and, perhaps, for the entire trip.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The concern begins before passengers board the aircraft. Thirty-one percent of travelers say they are always or often concerned about finding available overhead bin space for their carry-on luggage. Another 27 per cent are sometimes concerned, meaning 58 per cent worry about overhead bin availability at least some of the time. Only 42 per cent say they are rarely or never concerned.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe concern isn\u2019t simply whether your suitcase fits,\u201d Richards added. \u201cIt\u2019s whether you\u2019ll have immediate access to essential medications, electronics, business materials and travel documents if the overhead bins fill before you reach your row. Experienced travelers think carefully about what goes into their carry-on and what must remain with them at all times.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The findings reflect broader changes in airline travel. Checked baggage fees, fuller flights, tighter boarding schedules and travelers\u2019 desire to avoid lost luggage have encouraged more passengers to maximize their carry-on allowances. The result is greater competition for limited cabin storage and increased anxiety during boarding. <\/span><\/p>\n Whilst the changes Richard mentions are international, significant domestic overhead baggage changes are coming to Australia, in model that is beginning to resemble budget airlines in Europe.<\/p>\n Qantas budget arm Jetstar is overhauling its cabin baggage rules from February, cutting the number of carry-on items economy passengers can bring aboard and introducing a new fee for guaranteed overhead locker space.<\/p>\n Currently, economy travellers get two items: one for the overhead bin and a smaller one for under the seat. That\u2019s being replaced with a single carry-on bag. Passengers who skip the new paid option won\u2019t be guaranteed locker space; if bins fill up before they board, their bag may need to go under the seat instead, or be gate-checked.<\/p>\n The trade-off is a higher weight limit: the sole carry-on bag can now weigh up to 10kg, up from 7kg, though it must be small enough to fit under the seat if a passenger hasn\u2019t paid for locker priority. In practice, that means combining what used to be two separate items, like a laptop bag and handbag, or a coat and an umbrella, into one.<\/p>\n The new \u201cpriority carry-on\u201d fee will be dynamically priced by route, starting from $25 one-way (Launceston to Sydney) and rising to $52 on longer sectors such as Cairns to Tokyo. Fee-paying passengers board earlier, ahead of the general economy queue, giving them first access to bin space.<\/p>\n It\u2019s a pricing structure borrowed from European ultra-low-cost carriers. Ryanair, easyJet and Wizz Air have run similar systems for years, and ancillary charges of this kind now make up roughly a third of Ryanair\u2019s annual revenue (\u20ac15.54 billion, or about A$25.5 billion, last financial year).<\/p>\nJetstar overhead baggage change incoming<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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