Start Thinking Of Laptops As Carry-On Baggage

Delta Air Lines will begin counting laptop computers as carry-on baggage in the latest effort in the airline industry to reduce on-board delay and discomfort.

The policy change, which takes effect April 15, continues Delta’s two-bag carry-on limit but counts laptops and duty-free shopping bags as baggage.

Not counted against the limit will be purses, food for on-board consumption, crutches and similar devices, overcoats, hats and other personal items.

The growing use of laptops and other such carry-ons has resulted in a variety of new restrictions by airlines on size and number of carry-ons. Northwest Airlines, for example, late last year began limiting most passengers to one carry-on bag and one additional small item such as a laptop.