Carry-ons sized down

Head back to the luggage store. Continental Airlines on Nov. 1 changed the size restriction for passenger carry-on bags from 51 linear inches down to 45 (22"x14"x9") on flights from virtually all locations. New “sizing” bins have been installed at domestic check-in counters.

This brings Continental in line with American Airlines, Delta and Northwest, which recently also reduced the accepted size of carry-on baggage. The 45-inch size is also the current standard size for most European airlines.

Carry-ons that exceed the size limit must be checked. Continental charges $15 for the first checked bag and $25 for the second. (The airline’s carry-on weight limit remains 40 pounds.)

One online source that offers a summary of each airline’s rules, with frequent updates, is www.seatguru.com.