Was on a 738 the other day, and was embarrased to find out that my rollaboard did not fit in the overhead sideways (either with wheels in or out), so I had to put it longways, taking over more space.

I never had problems fitting this bag in the overheads sideways, including on my outbound on the same trip on another 738. FA told me that there are different configs of 738's, but I never knew the overheads were different. My bag is supposed to comply with carry on requirements (thats how it was advertised when I bought it, and it since has travelled a good 150k miles with me) Has anyone had this same issue?

Was this def. the case? the bag was not any fuller on the way home, and it fit fine on the way out. I just hate beign the DB that takes extra overhead space, and had I known that, I would have checked it. Luckly I was in F and there was enough space for everyone.

The overheads above the first few rows in F are generally a bit smaller than the rest of the plane. My rollaboard fits straight in but won't above rows 1 or 2 and sometimes 3.

Duhhh! Mistery solved! I was on 1A, so yeah, that makes perfect sence. Just to confirm, there are no different configs for overhead bins, right?

In a given compartment, the same item doesn't take more or less space just because you turn in sidewards unless you block an area behind the item that can't be used afterwards.

So really, you don't take more or less space of the overhead bin, just because you put the trolley in straight or sidewards.

Actually yes there are many different bin style doors that cause the bins to be slightly larger or smaller. Our older/original 738's have different doors than the newer jets and also the ATA 737-800's we took have slightly different bins.

Continental is not in possession of ANY former ATA 737-83N aircraft.


To my knowledge (and I know this doesn't help much, since you've now got answers that claim to be 100% sure in both directions), there is only one overhead bin design on the 737NG aircraft.

Source: I'm a 737NG mechanic, and I've only ever seen the one design.
That said, some aircraft have handrails built into the bins. This might result in a different door setup, but I don't think it does.

Thank you Mr. Math.

I believe most on here realize that regardless of how one places their carryon in the overhead bin, the same amount of volume is taken since the size of the carryon did not change. However, as you also state and as the OP stated as a concern, the usuable space in the bin may be changed due to how a carryon is stored.

Well, OP stated that he had to put it in longways which means to me, the short way to the front, the wheels all the way in the back! Pretty sure that blocks the least space compared to the other way.

I believe the 800's are all the same. They have a closeout strip attached to inside of the door itself that fills in the hollow. This is to keep items from being stuffed in and captured by the hollow of the door only to spring out when someone opens it. It doesn't affect standard rollers which should still fit. I don't think the 700's or 500's have these peices so a little bit longer bag can fit in. The reason the OH bins in the front are smaller is because of the taper of the nose.

As I'm sure you all know, roller bags fit best with the wheels inboard, handles outboard. Flipping it this way will often work when the opposite won't.

What I meant was:

- Longways: Bag is on its back, and I place it so the side of the bag is facing out. The volume taken is the same, then whats left between the bag and the edge of the bin is only about 5 inches deep, making it unusable to most bags.
Maybe a coat could go there.

- Sideways: Either the top handle or the wheels are facing out, and there is very little space left so not much wasted volume at all.

I tend to find that wheels out makes it easier for my bags to fit, but it normally works out both ways.