Congressman Cohen Introduces Bill to Stop Airlines from Shrinking Carry-On Luggage Sizes

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), a member of the House Transportation Subcommittee on Aviation, last night introduced the Carry-On Freedom Act to prevent airlines from reducing the maximum size of carry-on baggage as proposed last week by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a trade association representing the airline industry. Under the Congressman’s proposed legislation, airlines that charge passengers for checked baggage would be prohibited from reducing the size of carry-on bags they allow passengers to bring with them onto flights.

“Consumers are tired of being squeezed—physically and fiscally—by airlines and this proposal is a step too far,” said Congressman Cohen. “It is a transparent attempt to squeeze even more money out of passengers by forcing them to pay baggage fees to check luggage they purchased specifically to avoid those fees. The new proposed carry-on size limits should not be allowed to go into effect, especially at a time when the airlines are already making huge profits.”

Last week, the IATA proposed its “Cabin OK” carry-on size guidelines, which if implemented by airlines would reduce the size of carry-on suitcases by 21% compared to those currently allowed on most American air carriers. The guidelines would reduce the current dimensions of 22 inches tall by 14 inches wide by 9 inches deep to 21.5 inches tall by 13.5 inches wide by 7.5 inches deep. Eight international airlines have already adopted the new size guidelines, with more expected to follow.