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Ridiculous amounts of hand luggage on short haul flight

114 replies

Printedword · 21/03/2025 23:25

A feeling of deja vu and beyond on our flight back from Florence to London City Airport earlier this week. Im back on the topic of hand luggage.

A BA flight on BBC a small plane where everyone has got a decent baggage allowance.

The flight was not full but the overhead lockers were and about 15 suitcases had to be taken off the aircraft and go in the hold before we could take off. One person had somehow got as far as boarding the plane with something that didn't even fit properly in the overheads.

Has budget airline travel conditioned us to be unreasonable about luggage?

OP posts:
Printedword · 22/03/2025 12:24

varden · 22/03/2025 12:16

On another note, would anyone know if the dimensions allowed for overhead baggage bins means they could be stowed side on rather than flat? I think that would mean that more overhead cases could fit in each bin, and I've often wondered why this is not the norm!

I think that depends on the dimensions of the overheads in different aircraft. Also overheads above some seats are smaller and a few are the crew only ones. Some crew only have stuff in, others are just a bit difficult to access. There can be an additional flap that crew will have to key open to access the ones marked crew only in the middle of the aircraft. One side is usually filled with equipment the other is a spare. On a recent long haul, I sat under the spare and it got filled quite quickly with luggage by staff. Flight wasn't even full

OP posts:
Hortus · 22/03/2025 12:25

CharlotteStreetW1 · 22/03/2025 10:54

The "large cabin bag" for Easyjet is more generous than some other airlines and is the same as BA.

I'm flying to Canada soon with BA and hold bags aren't included 🤷‍♀️ but large cabin bags are so that's what I'll be takinh.

I bought a new suitcase specifically made to fit the large cabin bag size for easyJet, I went away for 4 days with winter clothes and shoes, books etc but could easily do a week in summer with it. It's the same height as usual cabin suitcases but quite a lot wider.

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:29

varden · 22/03/2025 12:16

On another note, would anyone know if the dimensions allowed for overhead baggage bins means they could be stowed side on rather than flat? I think that would mean that more overhead cases could fit in each bin, and I've often wondered why this is not the norm!

Haven’t got any dimensions to hand 🤔but I’ve seen a fair few overhead lockers on types various in cabins various and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one that would close if it contained a standard wheeled bag loaded on it’s side, there’s usually not enough room due the aircraft structure to facilitate that.

What is usually important (as per a pp) is the things are stowed wheels to the side wall, top handle facing into cabin.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Sofiewoo · 22/03/2025 12:30

Printedword · 22/03/2025 12:14

You don't think you are then? Hopefully you aren't impatient old guy who had to put his wheelie suitcases in overheads not near his seat and then had to get them out buy barging people in the aisle out of the way because he hadn't the manners to wait in his seat as appr to his stowage decisions.

What on earth does that have to do with me paying and therefore choosing to bring hand luggage?

Your outlook is so weird.

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 12:31

varden · 22/03/2025 12:16

On another note, would anyone know if the dimensions allowed for overhead baggage bins means they could be stowed side on rather than flat? I think that would mean that more overhead cases could fit in each bin, and I've often wondered why this is not the norm!

Whether a case can be accommodated upright often depends on the age of the aircraft. Newer equipment is more likely to have the space for this.

intrepidpanda · 22/03/2025 12:33

Mumsntfan1 · 22/03/2025 11:45

Why?

Too many have been hauled out with no control on top of my napper

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:39

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 12:31

Whether a case can be accommodated upright often depends on the age of the aircraft. Newer equipment is more likely to have the space for this.

You’re right in theory and some of the never Long haul aircraft have cavernous bins but I can’t think I’ve seen anything that allows it..be interested to know for certain if such exists.

Problem with the shorthaul airframes is the fuselage diameter means there simply isn’t enough volume, especially above the outboard seats, to give up too much space for roomier lockers.

Thunderpants88 · 22/03/2025 12:40

Printedword · 22/03/2025 10:02

Agreed. You would have 'loved' the woman with the fat yellow suitcase. It probably was a 55cm cabin bag, but with its massive extension of about 4 inches in the middle manipulating it along the aisle was tricky. Then she couldn't lift it into the overhead, then it wouldn't close. Off to the hold it went 🤣

Was she charged for a hold bag?

coldcallerbaiter · 22/03/2025 12:46

I don’t play that game anymore even with BA, We all bring a rucksack and put it under the seat. The selfishness is beyond. The overhead is always packed full. There is not enough space overhead for more than 1 small squashy bag per customer.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 22/03/2025 12:47

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:39

You’re right in theory and some of the never Long haul aircraft have cavernous bins but I can’t think I’ve seen anything that allows it..be interested to know for certain if such exists.

Problem with the shorthaul airframes is the fuselage diameter means there simply isn’t enough volume, especially above the outboard seats, to give up too much space for roomier lockers.

I've seen it done quite recently and it would have been Easyjet.

coldcallerbaiter · 22/03/2025 12:50

EasyJet overhead is better now since they changed the pricing and cabin bag options.

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:52

CharlotteStreetW1 · 22/03/2025 12:47

I've seen it done quite recently and it would have been Easyjet.

? Full size wheeled bags on their sides..OK, interesting…certainly wouldn’t work on flights I’ve been on with them so maybe something has changed.

Edit to add- on second thoughts given their allowable dimensions these days I can see how it might work.

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 12:56

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:39

You’re right in theory and some of the never Long haul aircraft have cavernous bins but I can’t think I’ve seen anything that allows it..be interested to know for certain if such exists.

Problem with the shorthaul airframes is the fuselage diameter means there simply isn’t enough volume, especially above the outboard seats, to give up too much space for roomier lockers.

Newer Airbus A321 will accommodate upright cabin cases in practice. If you are tall, mind your head when leaving your seat though!

CharlotteStreetW1 · 22/03/2025 12:56

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:52

? Full size wheeled bags on their sides..OK, interesting…certainly wouldn’t work on flights I’ve been on with them so maybe something has changed.

Edit to add- on second thoughts given their allowable dimensions these days I can see how it might work.

Edited

It was one of those "ohhh have we been doing it wrong all this time?" moments so I haven't imagined it.

varden · 22/03/2025 12:59

notimagain · 22/03/2025 12:52

? Full size wheeled bags on their sides..OK, interesting…certainly wouldn’t work on flights I’ve been on with them so maybe something has changed.

Edit to add- on second thoughts given their allowable dimensions these days I can see how it might work.

Edited

Yes, I suppose that's what I was thinking.... that if the dimensions allowed were adjusted to comply with the "side on" space available then mandatory side storage could be introduced. Far more storage that way I'd say and might be in the airline's interest, no further aircraft reconfiguration needed either!

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 13:00

CharlotteStreetW1 · 22/03/2025 12:56

It was one of those "ohhh have we been doing it wrong all this time?" moments so I haven't imagined it.

You haven’t been doing it wrong. The cabin crew will reposition bags where it is possible to do so.

CharlotteStreetW1 · 22/03/2025 13:02

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 13:00

You haven’t been doing it wrong. The cabin crew will reposition bags where it is possible to do so.

Yes. It was cabin crew who changed it.

LlynTegid · 22/03/2025 13:03

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 10:43

I repeat what l’ve said up thread. Carriers are not trying to grab every last penny off you. They don’t want your last penny. They want to put you off checking luggage in.

I’m also confused to the “big plane, not Airbus” logic up thread. Different aircraft come in different sizes but for commercial flights they don’t come any larger than an Airbus A380.

I think before the liquids rule came in, it was suggested that this was the ultimate aim of Ryanair.

Printedword · 22/03/2025 16:12

Thunderpants88 · 22/03/2025 12:40

Was she charged for a hold bag?

It was a BA flight from London City, there wasn't a charge for hold luggage. Despite that about 15 cases wouldn't fit in the overheads and got sent to the hold. It seems from this thread that people don't like checking their luggage in and prefer a quick getaway

OP posts:
StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 17:08

Printedword · 22/03/2025 16:12

It was a BA flight from London City, there wasn't a charge for hold luggage. Despite that about 15 cases wouldn't fit in the overheads and got sent to the hold. It seems from this thread that people don't like checking their luggage in and prefer a quick getaway

It’s not just the quicker get away (l waited nearly 2 hours for bags in Rome on a weekend trip!), having experienced lost bags it is knowing they are on the aircraft. At least if you have to check them into the hold at the last minute you know they have got to the gate.

In comparison, when travelling by train you don’t put regular bags in a separate section.

Ha

Liverpool52 · 22/03/2025 18:57

carrotsandtomatoes · 22/03/2025 12:13

How does one person carry two wheelies? Are you sure it wasn’t two people together? I can’t see how they would have dragged two wheelies and carry a handbag.

a big problem is that duty free doesn’t count. So everyone can have one wheelie or cabin bag and one massive duty free bag. Then they put their personal item like handbag or briefcase up there too. Obviously this takes up more space than is available overhead.

Wheelie bag in each hand being wheeled and handbag over the shoulder. Pretty easy.

Printedword · 22/03/2025 21:31

StarlightLady · 22/03/2025 17:08

It’s not just the quicker get away (l waited nearly 2 hours for bags in Rome on a weekend trip!), having experienced lost bags it is knowing they are on the aircraft. At least if you have to check them into the hold at the last minute you know they have got to the gate.

In comparison, when travelling by train you don’t put regular bags in a separate section.

Ha

It's a nightmare on a train if you have big baggage and hardly anything fits in the overhead racks. I check they are still there after each stop. Twice we have had to be reunited with bags gone awol on train trips

OP posts:
Chrismaslights · 23/03/2025 02:35

My issue is when I travel with a backpack well within hand luggage size and pay for a case to go in the hold, I am expected to sit with no leg room so the person who has not paid hold luggage puts their wheelie case in the overhead locker and stretches their legs out.
Seems a bit inequitable to me.

Bejinxed · 23/03/2025 06:57

Mumsntfan1 · 22/03/2025 11:37

They'll still be out of the airport faster than you if you're waiting for hold luggage.

Not necessarily true. I flew back unexpectedly from Pisa on easyJet last year (BA flight from Florence was cancelled) and a bag which was a cabin bag in BA was potentially not on EJ so I booked it into the hold. I also booked seats at the front of the plane. DD and I had got off the plane, through passport control and collected our bag (there weren’t many bags in the hold so it was emptied by the time we were through passport control) at the same time as other people who’d had to fight back down the plane to collect bags they’d put in the overhead locker and then queued for passport control.

Landlubber2019 · 23/03/2025 07:13

JustMyView13 · 22/03/2025 11:26

Do a click and collect boots order and pick it up after security 😬

I did last year, my shampoo, sunscreen,hair mouse and deodorant were in a box similar size to my suitcase. I couldn't take that on-board and now I have tons of packaging to dispose of 🤬