The End Of Luggage Stored In Aircraft Cabins? Italy Bans Them, But How Many Will Follow Suit?

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, Italy has announced that it will ban luggage storage in the compartment above the seats. Passengers will only carry small hand luggage on board, which can be stored under the front seat. Given the chaos often created with the storage and handling of bags in the cabin of the aircraft, it was a bit expected this measure to be in place. Many times, this has been on the first page of the newspapers. I am sure, we remember when a plane caught fire in Russia, and many passengers lost their lives because some blocked the corridor out of the desire to retrieve their luggage from above. It was not a singular case, with every incident in which rapid evacuation was necessary was the same story with luggage. 

No large hand luggage in aircraft flying to Italy

ENAC; The Italian Civil Aviation Authority has announced that to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection, luggage will not be stored in the aircraft's compartments. The measure applies to all flights from Italy, but also to Italy from other destinations.

Passengers will be able to bring on board only small luggage that can be stored under the front seat. At the same time, airlines will not be able to charge passengers for storing small bags in the hold.

See the ENAC press release here.

A good measure? Maybe…

Obviously, if the decision to remove the compartments above the seats was made at the aviation level, there would be more space in the aircraft.

Boarding would be faster.

It would be less hassle during the flight, as many passengers always seem to have something to look for in the upper compartments.

All this reduces, of course, the possibility of infection with COVID-19 and streamlines boarding and disembarking procedures.

Moreover, the fact that we no longer have luggage stored upstairs brings extra safety during potential forced landings/emergency evacuations, etc.

The possibility for other countries to follow Italy is very high

The possibility for other countries to follow Italy is very high because, for a long time, it was a problem, some airlines went as far as to charge for hand luggage. On one hand, for safety in general (that people are not disciplined, and the fact that they have blocked corridors has, in some situations, led to the loss of human lives). On the other hand, for efficiency: actually, when boarding / disembarking, the corridors are blocked, so people can arrange their luggage. Many did not put them where they should be. They only paid for a small piece of luggage to put under the seat, but those who bought their luggage as handbags - no longer had space and from here tangles and quarrels and delays, etc. In fact, because the recommendations are not followed, for that, not all, but many do not respect them.

It is very unpleasant for me because I liked to travel with hand luggage (55 * 40 * 20) and a backpack next to me, take them on the plane and get out of the airport quickly, etc. But I admit that for safety, in general, but also in terms of COVID-19 infection, it is safer without luggage stored in the plane's compartments.

I really want to start traveling again, there will be many changes, and we need to adapt. The more efficiently we adapt, the faster we will have more stability of legislations and measures.

What other measures and restrictions will appear?

It is clear that before any trip we must be very well informed because all kinds of regulations may appear overnight. But the airline should inform passengers about the baggage policy.

Attention: the companies inform the passengers only if they bought the plane ticket directly, in case it was purchased by a third party, the information will be sent there, to the e-mail address after which the reservation and payment were made. Not once did I hear a negative opinion about a specific airline, and the ticket was booked through an aggregate, not directly from the company, nor from a travel agency but rather a third-party app and which assumes absolutely no responsibility. 

What do you think about this measure of Italy? Is it necessary? Should others implement it as well?