Seasoned travelers know the benefits of restricting luggage to carry-on, letting them smugly cruise past the suckers waiting at baggage claim at the end of a flight. But with the number of people going carry-on only, finding space in the overhead compartments can be a hassle. Boeing's new Space Bins overcome this problem, with each storing two more bags than the current bins.
To be offered as an optional feature on the new Next-Generation 737's and 737 MAX aircraft, the new Space Bins will stow six carry-on bags of the standard 9 x 14 x 22-in (23 x 36 x 56 cm) size. This will bring the bag-carrying capacity of aircraft including the 737-900ER and 737 MAX 9 up to 194, which is 62 more bags than the current pivot bins that were introduced in 2010 can handle.
Boeing says the new Space Bins are as easy to close as the pivot bins, but don't require an assist mechanism. They also feature a lower bin lip height to make them easier to load and increase visibility to the back of the bins.
The Space Bins can be retrofitted to existing Next-Generation 737s and will be introduced on new aircraft deliveries to Alaska Airlines when they become available from late 2015.
Source: Boeing
The best solution would be to eliminate overhead storage completely and gate check any bags that do not fit under the seat. This would cut the boarding and deboarding time by 60%.
I look for the loopholes created by herd behavior. Since so many people are carrying on bags, I check mine so I can get on and off faster than all the people who are waiting for others to clear out their bags from the overhead bins. Also, I don't have to drag all that stuff through the airport and keep track of it when I get food or use the latrine. I fly SWA so I can sit where I want: Sometimes in the front row if I'm in a hurry, sometimes in the escape-hatch aisle if I want a tray and leg room. I fly dozens of trips a year via SWA and they have never lost one of my bags.
Then again, I am not so devoted to my "stuff" as most people. The few things I really need I keep in my under-seat bag and the rest can be replaced. Actually it would be better, because the airline would give me cash if they lost something and I could buy new stuff.
It is not passengers who want to take more "stuff" in the overhead bins, it is many airlines encouraging them to do so by charging high rates for check-in bags and telling passenger that the way to avoid the high charges is to take everything in carry-on luggage.