GBTA Pleased IATA “Hit the Pause Button” on Proposal to Reduce Carry-on Baggage Dimensions by 20 Percent

Alexandria, VA (June 16, 2015) – Earlier today, The International Air Transport Association (IATA), an airline industry association, put on hold on its recommendation that standard carry-on baggage sizes be reduced to dimensions about 20 percent smaller than what most major airlines currently allow — to 22 inches tall, 13 1/2 inches wide and 7 1/2 inches deep. The following statement can be attributed to Michael W. McCormick, GBTA Executive Director and COO.

“GBTA is pleased IATA hit the pause button on its recommendation to reduce carry-on baggage dimensions by 20 percent. This is clearly the right call. This proposal, if adopted by air carriers, would increase costs and pose headaches for business travelers who want to avoid the delays and time lost associated with checking baggage.

GBTA also commends Senator Chuck Schumer of New York for standing up for business travelers. In the coming days and weeks, GBTA will survey its membership on this issue, and provide feedback to both IATA and Senator Schumer.”

CONTACT: Colleen Lerro Gallagher, +1 703-236-1133, cgallagher@gbta.org

About the Global Business Travel Association
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s 9,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts. To learn how business travel drives lasting business growth, gbta.org