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keitherson
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Posts: 241
Joined: Wed Sep 03, 2014 3:00 pm

A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:28 am

This is mostly just a hypothetical/thought experiment, so apologies for its implausibility.

Let's assume that an airline where passengers are allowed carry-on bags only, and that there is no such thing as checking bags.

Is it be possible for a plane to made without a cargo hold, and therefore be a quasi-'double decker' narrowbody with additional seats?

Right now crew rest areas kind of function like that on some planes. Could this concept be expanded?
 
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LAX772LR
Posts: 15185
Joined: Sun Nov 09, 2014 11:06 pm

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 1:36 am

keitherson wrote:
Right now crew rest areas kind of function like that on some planes. Could this concept be expanded?

Not sure why anyone would WANT such a thing, as it'd deny the ability to garner potentially significant revenue streams via cargo.

Second, you're just going to add weight/complexity due to the additional support and (more importantly) evacuation structures needed for a such a design.
 
alasizon
Posts: 4211
Joined: Sat Apr 28, 2007 8:57 pm

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 2:00 am

In theory its possible but good luck with getting nobody to check bags.
 
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RL777
Posts: 651
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2016 1:43 am

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:14 am

Underbelly cargo is a significant source of revenue for many airlines, in theory sure the idea works fine but it would be bad for business unless your talking about a short haul concept aircraft where passengers would only need carry on sized baggage which even that is a stretch as many travelers can't go 10KM without 2 fully loaded 100L suitcases.
 
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precure787
Posts: 222
Joined: Sat Jun 20, 2015 9:44 pm

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 3:43 am

I'm guessing that would be many Ultralight or Light Sport Aircraft.
 
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LoftleidirDC8
Posts: 50
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2017 3:32 am

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:21 am

ATRs and Comets do not have under belly holds. They were on the main deck.
 
drdisque
Posts: 1827
Joined: Mon Mar 26, 2007 9:57 am

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:25 am

You can't just go around moving the floor on an aircraft up or down. The space that's down in the hold on a narrowbody isn't very useful for people.

If an aircraft was designed from the outset with no hold in mind, yes, you could probably make it a little sleeker and save some weight, but I think the savings would be pretty negligible.
 
2175301
Posts: 2386
Joined: Wed May 16, 2007 11:19 am

Re: A plane without a cargo hold?

Thu Apr 13, 2017 4:32 am

A number of legitimate items can be carried in checked luggage; but, not in carry-on. Thus, there needs to be some checked baggage space.

Also, on a personal side my carry-on is medical equipment and supplies. My real luggage (clothing, etc) has to be checked. I can survive without a change of clothing, etc. so a missed routing is not that big a deal (it has happened twice in the last 4 years). I need my medical equipment and supplies and it is not immediately replaceable if lost. Thus, it's my carry-on. Again, you need to have space for checked baggage.

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