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Smaller Bathrooms, Shrunken Overhead Bins Part Of Plans To Lighten Weight Of Airplanes

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Just when it seemed like you couldn't get your knees any closer to your chest in a coach seat, rearrange yourself into any smaller compartment than an airport bathroom or bring fewer supplies on the plane, there's another tightening trend in the airline industry.

The International Air Transport Association is suggesting shrinking carry on bag sizes to free up space in overhead bins.

The recommendation by the International Air Transport Association suggests an "optimal" carry-on size of 21.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep. The current standard is 22 inches by 14 inches by 9 inches on many airlines.

"The airlines, if they feel they can sneak in another fee and still stay within the guidelines, which keeps Congress happy, because they promised they would not charge for carry-on bags ... They will make it a little more difficult to qualify for those savings," said Jim Parsons with BestFares.com.

At the same time, Boeing announced yesterday it plans to add 14 more seats to its newest plane by shrinking the size of the bathrooms, according to road warrior voices. How is it possible? The configuration is still unclear, but the new plane is expected to take off in 2020.

The new look is supposed to be unveiled at the Paris Air Show later this month.

What is clear is that Boeing also reconfigured the way its overhead bins are hung to lighten the weight of the plane by 1,200 pounds.

On the luggage front, will shrinking bins cost passengers more money?

As many as 40 airlines around the world are reportedly interested in the idea. Parsons said travelers would most likely have to buy new, smaller carry-on bags or maybe even check their bags that are today accepted in the bins.

Why the proposal? Parsons says airline companies may try shrinking carry-on bag sizes to help lighten the weight on airplanes.

"I will say, though, in the last few years many of the airlines when they have refurbished their planes have actually started putting bigger overheads in their planes, but it probably became a weight issue that they're putting more weight in the sky," he told WWJ's Zahra Huber.

"We've seen the airlines over the years do everything they can to reduce weight on an airplane."

Less weight equals lower fuel consumption which equals lower cost to operate the plane.

 

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