Chaos on board planes as passengers try to shove hand luggage into the small overhead bins is likely to be a thing of the past.
According to the Mail Online article, this is because new types of extra-large overhead containers have been released. The new Airspace L containers from Airbus will be installed on 38 A320 aircraft of the German carrier Lufthansa in January 2025.
They provide 60 percent more luggage space than the previous generation A320 bins, allowing three extra bags per bin and accommodating 61cm (H) x 38cm (W) x 25cm (D) bags.
Airbus said: “The L Bins are designed to be retrofitted in three to five days, which is Airbus’ fastest and most cost-effective solution for retrofitting the A320.”
The company noted that the use of large compartments will reduce aircraft downtime. In addition, L-containers allow three additional places for luggage in each container, which increases the convenience for customers and crew during boarding and disembarking.
The carrier added: “The containers, made of ultra-light and high-strength composite materials, will be manufactured by EFW (Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH).”
American Airlines is the first customer of the Airbus Airspace XL overhead luggage rack, which can accommodate suitcases up to 60 cm (24 inches) high x 40 cm wide (16 inches) x 25 cm (10 inches) deep.
American launched Airspace XL with its Airbus A321 neo aircraft.
Note: The allowance for large hand luggage on Ryanair flights is 55cm (height) x 40cm (width) x 20cm (depth).