Your airline overhead bins may now be reserved

[Lakelad]

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Your airline overhead bins may now be reserved

An American Airlines memo advises staff that space will be reserved for some carry-on baggage

Fri Jan 26, 2018 - MarketWatch.com
By Alessandra Malito

American Airlines is treating overhead bins like reserved spots in a constantly crowded parking lot beginning Feb. 1. For some special customers, that is.

The company sent an internal memo this week naming a few perks for passengers who pay for extra legroom, travel site Forward Cabin reported. The memo says American will install placards that will identify some overhead bins as being for the exclusive use of “main cabin extra” passengers, who pay an extra $20 for various perks. Another key point: Flight attendants will not be responsible for monitoring these spaces. (right, the bins will just police themselves)

A spokesman for the airline said it’s offering “easier access to overhead bins,” in addition to a free drink.

“One of the biggest frustrations for travelers is the boarding process,” said Brett Snyder, founder and author of airline industry blog Cranky Flier. “There’s this need to get on board quickly solely because of the desire to make sure there’s room in the overhead bins for carry-on bags. American Airlines is taking the pressure off those passengers, he said. (American Airlines did not respond to a request for comment.)

Airlines are also under pressure to take the hassle out of traveling and make sure passengers don’t fight among themselves. The industry ranked seventh-to-last out of 43 industries in the American Customer Satisfaction Index in 2016. All aspects of air travel have been criticized, such as airfare, booking flights, getting onto the plane and even the flight itself.

Some airlines have tackled overhead space differently. United Airlines  offers basic economy, which restricts passengers from bringing on any carry-on bags, something American also offers now. Frontier Airlines charges $25 for overhead bin space. Ryanair only allows one small carry-on bag for free, and charges for any additional bag.

Airlines are not just clamping down on overhead bins. Others are setting rules all across the air travel process. Delta  recently announced new rules for people bringing support animals, including paperwork proving they are actually service pets and also a doctor’s note showing the passenger really needs it. The new rule will curb unqualified pets (and not just dogs, but snakes, spiders and turkeys) from disrupting others on the plane.

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[blues deville]

New reality show idea: Bin Wars. 

[vanishing point]

If people would only put REAL  carry-on bags in overhead bins, this would be a moot point.

If you have a bag with wheels, doesn’t seem to qualify as a “carry-on bag”....

i know....I know....I’m living in the 60’s and 70’s.....

[J.O.]

Kill the checked baggage fees and the issue will magically disappear. I know, I too am living in the 60’s and 70’s. 

[Guest]

Now that people feel that they are entitled to the space and others are not, the fights will begin and of course the FA's will be in the middle of the battle. the only solution would be to tag every carry on bag with the allowable location and then throw those not abiding by that overboard to be brought to the actual destination when ever........

[Moon The Loon]

Take the train...

[Kasey]

12 hours ago, Moon The Loon said:

Take the train...

That's the ticket! Then everything is on wheels, the ultimate "roll aboard" 

[blues deville]

One important aspect of the newer aircraft (B787 for example) overhead bins is that you can now stow a regulation rollerboard suitcase on its side rather than flat on its back. The same space can hold at least five pieces vs. three. Something which I’ve seen not being passed on to the travelling public.