Are airlines tightening their carry-on luggage rules? Passengers like Eddie Cannon believe the answer is “yes.”
Cannon was flying from St. Louis to Atlanta on Delta Air Lines when a flight attendant ordered him to store his carry-on bag under the seat in front of him.
“I didn’t have room for my feet,” he says.
Instead, he tried to place his bag in the overhead bin. He says the attendant stopped him and told him that if he didn’t comply, he would be removed from the flight.
Cannon is no loose cannon. He’s a vice president of an AI company and knows how to behave on a plane.
Cannon complained to Delta and to the Department of Transportation, which regulates airlines. In response, Delta said its request to put carry-ons where your legs normally go is to maintain an on-time departure and to leave room in the overhead bins for other luggage.
“Thank you for your thoughts on this matter, which will be shared with our in-fight services leadership team in order to improve our service where it’s needed,” it added. He also received 15,000 bonus miles as an apology.
But Cannon wonders about the stricter carry-on rules. “Are they trying to make more money on checked baggage?”
Why are airlines cracking down on carry-on luggage?
It’s no secret that airlines make billions of dollars a year on checked luggage. It’s also no secret that they’re always looking for ways to increase their revenues.
Sometimes, government regulators can become their unwitting accomplices. Last fall, European regulators considered limiting the maximum dimensions for carry-on luggage at 21.6 inches x 15.7 inches x 7.8 inches and 17.6 pounds. The move is meant to improve the boarding process, but it will probably also improve the airline industry’s profits.
There have been reports suggesting that U.S. carriers are seeing the new rule as an opening to further restrict carry-on luggage — and potentially increase income from checked luggage fees. (Related: Do you have luggage rage? Here’s how to know — and what to do about it.)
Delta said it has not changed its carry-on rules, but that they may be enforced differently depending on the circumstances.
“Due to weight and balance on certain flights, crew members may ask customers to place smaller, personal items under their seat,” a representative told me.
If you want a preview of things to come, try booking an airline ticket on a discount airline in Australia or Asia. Gate agents there are already super-strict about size and weight limits, as I discovered on a recent visit. They weigh and size everything.
If you go over even a smidge, you’ll have to repack — or pay extra.
“I’m so upset about this,” says Jack Ezon, who runs the luxury travel agency Embark Beyond. He stopped checking his bags a decade ago because he doesn’t trust airlines with his belongings.
In his view, the way to improve luggage revenue is to stop losing passengers’ luggage — not by forcing them to downsize their carry-ons.
But it’s not the only way.
Don’t overpack
I know this is obvious, but the best way to avoid any trouble with your carry-on bag is to comply with the published rules. Don’t take any chances. Make sure your carry-on fits the smallest standards, which in your case will probably be the new European ones. Your bag should easily fit in every template and pass every weight test. (Related: Problem with luggage: I waited too long to file a claim with my airline!)
Obey the rules and you won’t need any of these other tips. But you might still need help, because frankly, the new carry-on restrictions are a little bit restrictive. People have more stuff. How do you get it past the authorities?
Pack smarter — much smarter
It’s not enough to pack less and lighter, says travel agent Maria LaDuca. You have to start thinking about the optics. If you’re a couple, you probably each carry your own bag on a plane. It makes sense to keep things separate. But in an era of stricter carry-ons, you have to think differently. “If you’re traveling with someone, spread out the heavier stuff,” advises LaDuca. (I do this too when I’m traveling with my adult son. If my bag is a little heavier and his is a little lighter, we strategically repack at the airport to avoid the luggage police.)
More tips and stories on smarter travel
Make them look the other way
A kind word at the ticket counter can distract a ticket agent from spotting your XL carry-on. I’ve seen it, and I’ve also used it, and it works. “The first thing I do is to greet the counter staff and ask how they are doing,” says Y. Murat Ozguc, a frequent traveler who runs a tour operator in Turkey. “I’ve never had a problem with a few additional kilos.” (Related: Why are travelers making such a mess this summer?)
Be discreet
That’s the recommendation of Justin Crabbe, who says backpacks are perfect for squeezing past stricter carry-on rules. He says the latest backpacks can do more with less — they’re made of ultralight materials and modular, adaptable designs. But mostly, a black backpack worn during the check-in process is practically invisible to a ticket agent — even one that’s slightly too big or too heavy. It just blends in. “Pack in a way that maximizes space and minimizes waste,” adds Crabbe, a frequent flier who is also the CEO of a private jet company. “Use compression cubes. Limit toiletries to travel sizes.” (Here’s our guide with the best travel advice.)
There’s a silver lining
The changes are not all bad. While airlines will undoubtedly make more money off the extra luggage their passengers will check, they will also improve the flying experience.
“These measures are pivotal for optimizing boarding speed, managing the limited overhead bin space, and ensuring safety by preventing cabin overcrowding,” notes Frank Harrison, regional security director for the Americas at World Travel Protection.
Caitlin Higgins, a frequent traveler who works for an interior design site in Los Angeles, recently experienced the benefits on a flight from Sydney to Wellington, New Zealand.
“It was my fastest international boarding experience,” she recalls. “I’m happy that folks are no longer holding up boarding as they struggle to lift and shove their oversized carry-ons into too-small bins.”
Of course, there was also a downside. The luggage cops flagged her “tiny” carry-on and forced her to check it.
She’d better get used to it. We all had better get used to it.
Loading ...🖐 Your turn
Have you been told your carry-on didn’t meet airline standards — even though it used to? Did you pay extra or find a workaround? Scroll down and share your story in the comments after the FAQs.
FAQs
Some airlines are reacting to new regulations and boarding efficiency concerns, but others are using the shift as an opportunity to generate more revenue from checked luggage fees.
Airlines say crew can make this request due to weight balance or overhead bin space. If your item complies with policy but you’re asked to move it, you can calmly request clarification — but refusing may risk removal.
Many carriers now enforce dimensions around 21.6 x 15.7 x 7.8 inches and a max weight of 17.6 lbs, especially for international flights. Always check your specific airline’s rules before departure.
Save all documentation and appeal to the airline’s customer service. If that fails, you can dispute the charge with your credit card company — especially if you complied with their stated policy.
Pro tip: Traveling with someone? Weigh both bags and redistribute items on the spot — gate agents rarely weigh both carry-ons if one clearly meets the criteria.
Key takeaways
- Airlines may not have officially changed their carry-on rules, but enforcement is getting tighter.
- European standards are influencing global policies, prompting stricter size and weight checks.
- Travelers should pack lighter, distribute items smartly between companions, and use compression tools.
- Friendly interactions with gate agents can often help you avoid bag checks.
- Backpacks, especially low-profile ones, tend to bypass scrutiny more easily than roller bags.
