NEW airline designs being rolled out include thinner plane seats so that more can fit into the cabin.
But this is bad news for hand luggage travellers too – as it means less space underneath.
According to USA Today, this is because it often reduces the amount of legroom.
And travellers, especially those flying with budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet, often rely on the floor space to fly with their bags.
We’ve recently raved about the Narwey bag that lets you fit a weekend’s worth of clothes into it, and fits under the seat in front of you.
But as seats get thinner (and more uncomfortable) – this may end up proving impossible.
Expert Christopher Elliott said: “When an airline announces a new cabin interior, it often moves to thinner seats, which allow it to add more capacity.
“Installing extra rows of seats usually means subtracting legroom.”
He said he found this out the hard way himself after being “unable to sit facing forward” on a recent flight as there was so little space between the seats.
Many traveller are resorting to underseat bags not only to save on cost, but also due to a lack of room in the overhead lockers.
Most airlines charge to check in a bag, which has resulted in the cabin lockers being full of hand-luggage suitcases instead.
Joe Cronin, CEO of International Citizens Insurance, said people will “eventually start packing lighter” but predicted it would take as long as 10 years for being to ditch the underseat bags.
Airlines are also changing their overhead lockers, with some getting larger due to demand.
Rather than lie suitcases on the wider side, the new lockers let them be packed on their side, fitting more in.
But one plane cabin designer has suggested the lockers should be removed altogether.
David Young, a designer who has worked on cabin features for Teague for 20 years, said: “I’d say we’re at a breaking point. We’ve hit as big as we can go.
“Maybe we don’t need carry-ons at all. Someone needs to step out and say, ‘We’re not doing this anymore. This isn’t the right experience for air travel.’”
It’s not just luggage causing problems – airlines are also cracking down on seat fees.
While budget airline already charge to choose your seat, other bigger airlines are charging.
Even business travellers can’t escape, having to pay up to £100 to reserve a seat with British Airways.
Air France and KLM have since followed suit for their business travellers.
We’ve rounded up how much hand luggage you can take on UK airlines when booking their most basic fare.
Ryanair
One personal bag measuring no more than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm
EasyJet
One personal bag measuring no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm
Jet2
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm weighing up to 10kg
TUI
One personal item that its underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm weighing up to 10kg
British Airways
One personal bag no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 45cm 25cm weighing up to 23kg
Virgin Atlantic
One personal item that fits underneath the seat in front and one cabin bag no larger than 56cm x 36cm x 23cm weighing up to 10kg
Jay Sorensen, president of airline consulting firm IdeaWorksCompany said: “These fees are beginning to rival what they collect for baggage at many carriers.”
In the mean time, here are some of the best bags that won’t break the bank and fit the hand luggage requirements.
