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The global airline industry is trying to clear up the confusion over a new set of guidelines for carry-on luggage recently proposed by the air carriers' trade group.
The Geneva-based International Air Transport Association has had to issue a clarification of key elements of its Cabin OK initiative, launched earlier this month, that proposes a standard "optimum size" for carry-on bags of 55 cm by 35 cm by 20 cm.
The proposed format is smaller than the varying carry-on size limits of most airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, and IATA says passengers using baggage within those limits would get a Cabin OK sticker and priority to stay on board the aircraft in the event that not all carry-on bags can fit in the overhead bins or under seats.
IATA is planning to sell regulation-size Cabin OK suitcases as part of the campaign.
But the move has resulted in erroneous reporting and criticism from some quarters that the airlines are yet again putting the squeeze on passengers and possibly preparing to charge extra for larger-size carry-on luggage that ends up having to be checked.
U.S. Democratic Senator Charles Schumer slammed the campaign, saying passengers may be "forced to spend hundreds of dollars on new luggage in order to meet the new criteria.
"The airlines already charge more for checked baggage, pillows, peanuts and head phones. It's got to stop somewhere," Mr. Schumer thundered in a news release Monday.
Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey also criticized the plan, calling it "another industry ploy related to baggage fees."
IATA insists the proposal does not call for an industry-wide standard and is meant only as a guideline for airlines wanting to participate in the program.
"The Cabin OK guideline is not a maximum size limit. The maximum size of cabin baggage is set individually by each airline," said the group, which represents about 160 airlines.
The Cabin OK logo is intended to signal to crew and ground staff that the bags carrying it should have a high priority to remain in the cabin, thus helping speed up the boarding process, IATA said.
"If fully embraced by passengers, everyone would have a chance to travel with their carry-on bags on board aircraft of 120 seats or larger even when the flight is full."
So far, airlines appear to be taking a cautious approach to the IATA plan.
Air Canada and WestJet – as well as most U.S. carriers – are not planning to sign on, according to reports.
"We do not have plans to make any changes at this time," United Airlines spokeswoman Jennifer Dohm said.
"The proposed IATA standard calls for significantly smaller carry-on luggage," Samsonite spokeswoman Stephanie Goldman said.
"No major U.S. airline has yet agreed to enforce this new standard as it is just a proposal. When/if the carriers adopt a new carry-on standard, whether IATA's or their own, the Samsonite family of brands will offer appropriately sized carry-on products," she said in an e-mail message.