Announced last year, Boeing released a new generation of storage bin – the Space Bin. And as I maintain from last year, it isn’t a rocket, but a new “deep” luggage bin that can swallow a lot of rollabards.
And the PR image last year looked like it might work.
737 Space Bins at 737 Configuration Studio – Image, The Boeing Company
Except I couldn’t imagine it in my mind in the least. Mainly as it seemed plain odd.
Well – I’ve spotted one of these bins at AIX, and had a good look at them.
So the first thing, yes, it fits 6 standard rollaboard bags when you slide them in sideways and the wheels to the back.
In terms of bin size, it is pretty much like any overhead bin, and doesn’t impede into the passenger space – always a good thing.
Boeing has done major work with pivot bins before (which were introduced on the Boeing 777 as the Boeing Signature Interior – which can be fitted to other aircraft such as the 767-400, some 747-400s), and for passengers – there is the feeling of more space for items.
With the race to board so you can secure overhead bin space is an issue these days (I’ve been on too many flights seeing bags gate checked – adding onto the load time and delays), deeper bins to allow passengers to fit their luggage aboard will be welcome.
The Space Bin will be flying with its launch customer – Alaska Airline from the 4th Quarter of 2015. Delta will be flying these new overhead bins too.
And hopefully, other airlines flying Boeing equipment will get the hint and install these too when they realise they can get passengers to load their bags.
The next thing will be to educate the passenger how to load their luggage in the overhead bins. That’s a different story entirely…
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6 bags is an ideal situation and if the bags are of the correct size and appropriately packed (not overstuffed/expanded).
Main problem I see is that in all the pictures, it looks like all the bags are identical and chosen for optimal fit. In the real world, some passengers will have duffle bags, oddly-sized (but still “legal”) rollaboards, bags with unusually-shaped wheels), duty-free and terminal purchases in shopping bags, and so on, and will want to put coats up there too.
Do you think the bin will make a major difference when dealing with non-standardized bags and items?
I don’t know about 4th quarter 2015. I was just on a Delta 757 PBI-ATL which I believe had these bins.
As for educating the passengers, there is a diagram on the back wall if the bin explaining the best way to load your bags. Additionally, the flight attendants repeatedly asked passengers to put the bags on end.
In all, it seemed to work. It seems everyone’s bag was accommodated-no calls about checking bags once on board. I was unfortunately near the back and when I opened the bin with my bag there was only one other bag in it.
The one downside I saw is that when open they seem to really hang down low above the seats, making it somewhat difficult to get into the seats. Similarly when leaving the plane the low hang seemed to cause some problems.