October 12, 2015 – Alaska Airlines is celebrating the delivery of its first Boeing 737 aircraft with Space Bins, a new overhead stowage design which is claimed by Boeing to increase the room for carry-on baggage by 48%. Each Space Bin stows six bags, two more than the current pivot bins installed on Next-Generation B737s with the Boeing Sky Interior. That’s based on a standard size carry-on bag measuring 9in x 14in x 22in (23cm x 36cm x 56cm).
Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines’ VP of marketing stated, “We’ve been on a mission to improve our cabin experience for several years and Space Bins are part of a US$150 million investment we’ve made to make flying more comfortable and enjoyable. By the end of 2017, nearly half of our fleet will have larger bins to accommodate a carry-on bag for virtually every customer.”
Alaska will take delivery of 34 Next-Generation B737s and one B737 MAX in the next two years and will also begin retrofitting 34 aircraft with the Boeing Sky Interior, primarily B737-900ERs (Extended Range), in 2016.
When open, the bottom edge of a Space Bin hangs about 2in (5cm) lower, so travelers can lift their carry-on bags more easily. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed and increase visibility into the back of the bins. Alaska Airlines also reports that the Space Bins, designed without a flight attendant bin assist mechanism, are easier to close.
Alaska Airlines is installing Space Bins on all its 737-900ERs and 737 MAX aircraft currently on order and by 2017 will have 69 airplanes – 46% of its passenger fleet – outfitted with Space Bins.
Boeing’s Space Bins are available as an optional feature on in-production Next-Generation 737s and 737 MAXs. Space Bins are also available for retrofit on in-service Next-Generation 737s.
