There are hard-and-fast rules – and then there’s common courtesy
25 July 2023
The boarding process can be one of the most stressful aspects of airline travel for both flight attendants and passengers. As the clock counts down to departure time, the crew is tasked with getting everyone seated, ensuring all items in the galley and cabin are put away according to regulation, and completing all of their safety checks. At the same time, passengers are in a race to be the first on the plane to secure the most coveted real estate: a space in the overhead bin.
Understandably, most travellers want to place their bags directly above their seat for easy access during the flight, and so they can quickly grab and go once the plane lands. However, the space above an airline seat is not guaranteed or reserved for those sitting in that particular row. In fact, most domestic airplanes have three passengers to a row on either side of the aisle in the main cabin. How do all three travellers get priority for the same space? While ultra-low cost carriers charge extra for carry-on bags, they do not guarantee the space above a given seat; rather, they just sell the ability to store a bag in the cabin. Furthermore, some travellers attempt to place their bags toward the front of the cabin, even if they’re seated further back, just so they can retrieve it on their way out. But is that bad etiquette?
There are many questions regarding the space above our heads. Here, flight attendants provide their most practical and polite advice.
The Basics of Bin Etiquette
“Many passengers place all of their belongings in the overhead just to free up the area at their feet for legroom, which creates an overhead space issue,” says Karina Kay, a flight attendant based in Las Vegas. Personal items are meant to be stored under the seat in front of you, Kay explains. “Of course we all want to be comfortable and stretch out, but hold on to your personal items until boarding is completed. Give others with larger carry-ons a chance to place their baggage, then place yours in the surrounding space.” Many crew members also suggest holding on to winter coats and jackets until the boarding process is complete, then placing them on top of any bags stowed away.
Conversely, some flight attendants have a different perspective. “If someone pays to check their bag, why can’t they put the smaller item in the overhead? It’s first come, first served,” Denver-based Lucy Williams states. “That being said, I will always ask if we need the space, if they mind using the area under their seat, but I won’t force it.”
Regardless of where baggage is placed, “as the number of passengers in the aisle searching for space begins to grow, so does the likelihood the flight will depart late,” says Michael Clip, a flight attendant based at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. “We can’t close the door for departure until everything is put away properly. If there’s no space for bags, we need to wait for an agent to come down to the aircraft and start tagging bags to gate check them. That takes time.”
Therefore, as a general rule, try to place only your larger items in the bins overhead. If you decide to place your personal item above you, don’t be surprised if you’re asked to remove it later. Consider it a contribution to avoiding a delayed departure.
Don’t Place Your Bags Too Far Away
If you happen to be one of those travellers who places your bags in the first available overhead spot you find, regardless of where your seat is, just make sure your bag is in sight. As the cabin crew works through their intricate game of Tetris to make everything fit, they usually need to relocate a bag or two. “I pull the smaller item down from the bin and ask, ‘Who’s is this?’ and if no one answers, I announce it will be removed from the plane since it’s going unclaimed,” says Valenica Rae, a flight attendant based in Florida. “Most of the time it’s a bag that could fit under the seat or could fit into a smaller open space on the other side of the plane. I always want the owner of the bag to know that it’s being moved.” Rae expresses that she’s okay with passengers putting their bags anywhere, as long as it’s not in first class and they can keep it in sight.
What About ‘Reserved’ Overhead Bin Space?
Many airlines have a premium economy or first-class cabin, and one of the perks marketed to those fliers is dedicated overhead bin space. However, the use of the word dedicated doesn’t mean “reserved.” It simply means offered first to those seated in that particular class of service; once it’s full, it’s full. Passengers with dedicated overhead space typically board first to access those bins. If the section fills up due to everyone bringing a carry-on, the spillover may occupy space meant for the main cabin. The good news: it works both ways. Once everyone is seated in their premium seats, any available space overhead is fair game for other passengers.
“An open spot is an open spot, especially at the end of the boarding process,” comments Ingrid Imperiale, a flight attendant based in Los Angeles, who primarily works in first class. She has often witnessed premium fliers become anxious when a main cabin passenger places their bag in a dedicated first-class bin. “If all of the premium passengers are seated, and their bags are put away, I don’t see a problem with it,” she insists. Imperiale believes that first-class passengers received the priority access they paid for, and she would rather stow the bag and leave on time.
Based on my experience as a former flight attendant, the most important factor is to remain courteous to those around you. If you can’t find a space for your bag, don’t hesitate to ask a crew member for assistance. Moreover, if you can place a smaller bag under your seat, thereby allowing someone else to fit their bag into the bin, or you can hold on to your coat and place it on top of someone else’s bag once it’s stowed, why not do so? These small actions enable a lower-stress travel experience for everyone on board.
