Several airlines are taking steps to increase the size of overhead bins so fliers can stow bags in passenger cabins. Among them:
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United Airlines is retrofitting its 152 Airbus aircraft with curved bins that can accommodate up to two-thirds more bags.
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American Airlines' new
Boeing 737-800 aircraft can carry 48 more bags in the bins than the MD80 planes they are replacing, spokesman
Tim Smith says. The carrier already has 173 of the new planes in its fleet, with 133 more on order. Since 2010, American has also been replacing overhead bins on 76 of its older 737-800s. Other new aircraft with larger bins are on order.
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Delta Air Lines is adding larger bins to its fleet of 58 Boeing 767-300 aircraft. The aircraft will be able to hold 26 more standard-size roller bags than before. Next year, the carrier also will introduce the first of its Boeing 737-900 aircraft, which have bigger bins.
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US Airways expanded bins on its 24-strong
Boeing 757 fleet in 2008 to fit bags in lengthwise. Its 24 new Airbus A321s, many of which have already been introduced, have larger bins that fit roll-aboards in wheels first. US Airways has also installed two additional bins on its Airbus A330s. They're the same size as existing bins but add space for more bags, says spokesman Todd Lehmacher.
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