Subject: CARRY-ON BAGGAGE Date:

Initiated by:

7/24/00

AFS-200

AC No:

Change:

121-29B

1. What is the purpose of this advisory circular?

a. On December 13, 1999, Administrator Jane Garvey announced FAA’s commitment to the

concept of plain language, and to improving our communications with all interested parties.

While FAA intends to focus its plain language efforts mainly on new communications, we will

redo in plain language a few select existing documents that are of particular importance or of

interest to a broad audience. This AC is one such document. We do not intend this new issuance

to make any substantive changes to the guidance set out in AC 121-29A. Rather, our intent is to

clarify the guidance contained in that AC. We have omitted many of the lengthy examples found

in AC 121-29A, such as the possibilities for expressing size limits on carry-on baggage. AC

121-29B is simply a plain language rewrite of AC 121-29A.

b. This circular provides information about features that the Federal Aviation Administration

(FAA) recommends be included in air carriers’ carry-on baggage programs. It provides

clarification to air carriers about how to comply with FAA’s carry-on baggage regulations.

c. The FAA previously responded to requests from certificated air carriers, airline personnel,

and the public to clarify existing policy on carry-on baggage programs. The FAA agreed that we

needed to issue additional guidance because of changes in the airline passenger’s traveling habits.

Passengers are finding it more desirable to carry on their own baggage because of the

introduction of wheeled luggage and because the hub/spoke concept has made connection times

shorter resulting in more lost baggage. We issued that guidance in AC 121-29A on June 25,

1998.

2. Does this AC cancel any prior AC’s? This AC cancels AC 121-29A, Carry-On Baggage,

dated June 25, 1998.

3. What FAA regulations does this AC relate to? Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations

(14 CFR) part 23, § 23.787(e); part 25, §§ 25.787, 25.789; part 121, §§ 121.285, 121.585,

121.589; and part 135, § 135.87.
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4. What should your FAA-approved carry-on baggage program address?

a. Describe what you include in the term “Carry-On Baggage.” You should NOT include

approved child restraint devices that are properly used during flight in your definition of carry-on

baggage. Child restraint devices are carry-on baggage if they are stowed in the cabin during

flight. They also may be checked and transported in a cargo compartment.

b. Provide information about how many items you will accept as carry-on baggage for each

passenger. You may stipulate the maximum dimensions of these items, if you need to do so to

ensure proper stowage.

c. Ensure that your carry-on baggage program does not compromise your FAA-approved

weight and balance program.

d. Explain how you intend to stow carry-on baggage properly. This part of the program

depends on the type of aircraft covered by the program, including cabin configuration and other

space factors. Your stowage program should ensure that:

(1) Carry-on baggage does not obstruct passenger movement to, from, or across the aisle;

(2) Items stowed in overhead bins fit securely, and flight attendants can close the bins

without using force; and

(3) There is little or no chance of baggage and other articles falling out of overhead bins

when the bin doors are opened.

e. Describe your procedures to verify that each article of baggage is properly stowed in an

approved compartment or other specifically approved area before flight attendants close the

passenger entry doors on each flight. The FAA recommends that you task a specific

crewmember, such as the lead flight attendant, with verifying proper stowage. Your description

should include:

(1) Methods to ensure carry-on baggage and cargo do not exceed the FAA-approved

weight limitations or load limits for the specific place they are stowed, including the restraints

used to secure them. Emphasize that flight attendants should not place items in overhead bins

that exceed bin weight limits and that they should be able to close the bins without using force.

They should also make sure that passengers do no overload the bins.

(2) A list of specific items passengers can carry in the cabin and stow outside of specified

carry-on baggage compartments. This should be a short list! Specify locations where flight

attendants can stow these items, and how they should restrain them to ensure that they will not

shift under emergency load conditions. Specify an approved weight limitation for each restraint

or “tie-down” area to ensure that articles do not shift under the specified load conditions.

(3) Procedures for stowing unusual or fragile articles. Passengers may want to carry

large or fragile objects that need special stowage. Flight attendants should understand that it is
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the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that these objects are securely packed to withstand

normal handling. If you cannot check or stow an item in a manner that ensures the safety of the

aircraft and its occupants, or if the passenger believes that the item cannot be packed to withstand

normal handling, then the passenger will have to ship the item by some other means.

f. Describe how you will ensure that carry-on baggage does not interfere with access to and

use of emergency equipment. The FAA recommends that a required crewmember position have

the responsibility for ensuring that carry-on baggage does not restrict access to emergency

equipment.

g. Explain how you will stow canes or other assist devices. You must stow these items in

approved areas, such as under a seat, in approved cargo bins or fitted holders, or, if appropriate,

along the fuselage wall.

h. Describe how you will prevent passengers from bringing on board baggage that, for any

reason, you cannot stow properly. Specify which personnel are responsible for this part of the

program. Your description should include the following elements:

(1) The area of operation, including terminal and scanning point facilities, where

employees will determine whether baggage should or should not be allowed on the aircraft.

(2) Scanning facilities and locations, including operations at facilities other than those

owned, or ordinarily used, by you.

(3) The duties of personnel responsible for the scanning. Make sure these duties are

manageable.

(4) How you will prevent passengers from bringing on board baggage that will exceed:

(a) The FAA-approved weight limits of your stowage areas, cargo bins, and “tiedown” areas;

(b) The number or size of items specified in your carry-on baggage program; or

(c) The total space of the approved stowage areas available on an aircraft.

i. Establish procedures for informing travelers and travel agents about the specific carry-on

requirements of your flights. You may accommodate travelers with special baggage problems,

provided you can stow the baggage safely. Provide information to passengers about your

procedures for accommodating special baggage prior to the flight, and about the types of

materials that they should not carry in their carry-on baggage, such as hazardous materials.

j. Include information about your carry-on baggage program in the appropriate parts of the

crewmembers’ manual. You should cover all of the elements listed above, especially

crewmember responsibility for verifying that baggage is stowed properly and will not hinder the
AC 121-29B 7/24/00

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availability and use of emergency equipment; and other pertinent information that the principal

operations inspector determines should be in the crewmembers’ manual.

k. Provide training to appropriate ground personnel and to all crewmembers regarding your

approved carry-on baggage program. The training should include at least carry-on baggage

limitations; baggage scanning; processing of carry-on baggage that you cannot accommodate in

any of the passenger compartments; proper stowing of carry-on baggage, cargo and unusual items

in the cabin; crew coordination; applicable passenger information; types of and limitations on

stowage provisions; verification that carry-on baggage is stowed so it does not interfere with

emergency equipment; and how to handle carry-on baggage during an emergency.

/s/

L. Nicholas Lacey

Director, Flight Standards Service