Two passengers are pictured pitted against each other by the age-old flight problem – baggage space.
And if you thought the closet above the aisle was only for the people sitting in that aisle, think again, because according to one expert, that’s not the case.
The overhead locker is often the source of many arguments regarding aircraft. It’s also part of the reason passengers line up early to board their flight, to make sure they have room for their suitcase in the locker above them.
And since the battle for airspace was one of the most infuriating aspects of the flight, two passengers were involved in a heated exchange that has now gone viral on Reddit.
The footage shows the couple fighting over India’s low-cost carrier, IndiGo, apparently after a disagreement over where to store their luggage.
“Ma’am, I paid for my place. I’m not here as an extra passenger,” one passenger can be heard telling an exasperated woman.
The woman retaliates by accusing the man of yelling at her, to which he replies, “I don’t yell,” and hands it to her instead.
I came from behind and started screaming [at me]we hear.
Three flight attendants can be seen trying to defuse the heated exchange, but they struggle to stop the screaming.
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” they can be heard telling the pair before the video cuts off.
The rule of thumb on most domestic flights is that you’re supposed to put a bag on the ceiling and then one under the seat in front of you, said Angus Kidman, travel expert at Australian comparison site Finder.
“With that said, a lot of people are racing on board and filling the airspace with multiple bags,” he told news.com.au.
“You might assume that the space above your row should be reserved for the passengers in that row, but that’s not really the rule,” Kidman said.
Basically, he’s first dressed, best dressed. It doesn’t help that at the moment staff shortages mean overworked airline crews rarely have the energy to tell passengers to stick to carry-on baggage limits.
Mr Kidman said low-cost airline Jetstar “remains very strict” when it comes to checking the weight and size of what you carry on board.
“But most other airlines rely on passengers to do the right thing,” he said.
Lesson? If you have two bags spinning, you’ll need to get up early. But especially around Christmas, it makes sense to keep it to a minimum.
Remember, passengers with higher status board first. If you’re not one of them, your chances are actually lower.
He said the rules are different for Business or Economy X on Virgin.
“The space above those seats is specifically reserved for the passengers in those rows,” he said.
Finally, you should be aware that on Qantaslink’s small regional flights on Dash 8 aircraft, overhead space is more limited and standard bags will not fit.
“Your bag may only be sent to the cargo hold if you are attempting to board with standard oversized carry-on baggage.”
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