Airbus vs Boeing Space bin – who wins?

by Kevincm

The correct answer is as passengers – we all do.

Good morning from the floor area Aircraft Interiors Expo 2016 where I’ve been playing with overhead bins.

Yes again.

Why? Well apart from the satisfying sound of a lock clunking, it’s good news the both major airframers are developing deeper bins.

As airlines continue to pile on fees, or unbundle their posits, there are a lot of airline customers who are carrying the world and their kitchen sink when they board their planes.

The net result is what we see today – the mass push to board the plane to get overhead bin space (and speaking from experience – getting on the plane early was sometimes the only reason to hang onto elite status)

Here’s the new overhead bins for those who have forgotten what they look like.

First up – Airbus:

 

 

Airbus Pivot-Bin mocked up against an A320 fuselage – images, Economy Class and Beyond.

 

Boeing Space Bin mocked up against a 737 fuselage – Images, Economy Class and Beyond

The Airbus pivot bin is flying aboard Delta Airlines, whilst the Boeing space bin is being launched by Alaska Airline.

And hopefully – more airlines will choose these overhead bins.

There are good reasons to – it will cut the request for gate checking of luggage (costing time and resources on the ground), and hopefully speed up passenger throughput as they board the plane.

For passengers there will be one important different – and that’s how they stow their cases – which will now need to be placed in sideways.

However, whilst these bins are one hell of the step in the right direction, there is a downside.

So far, all the overhead bins have been shown with the same sized luggage, and it being within dimensions.

If like you all to name a time that happens – and you’re correct – it doesn’t happen

But still – with larger overhead bins coming from both major airframers – maybe, just maybe a plane will take off once without someone who really needs their bag (for example – leaving medicine behind)… and it’s trapped in the hold.