Gone are the days of free checked bags and ample overhead bin space. Since airlines began implementing checked bag fees, more travelers carry on these days, which leads to an influx of luggage in the overhead bins. While aircraft ideally would have enough space for one bag per passenger, not all do and when the bins are full, late-boarding passengers must gate-check bags, requiring them to wait at the luggage belt upon arrival and delay their journey.

In order to address this problem, airlines like United retrofit aircraft to increase the space in overhead bins. United claims the overhead bins on its CRJ-550 planes should have enough room for one carry-on bag per customer, so it’s the passenger’s duty to use this space responsibly and only put one bag in the bin. By 2023, United said 80 percent of its planes will have the new, larger overhead bins.

Other airlines advise passengers to board as early as they can in order to snag a spot in an overhead bin, which may include purchasing priority boarding or earning miles to move up to an earlier boarding group. Until other airlines address the issue of overhead bin space, early boarding is the best way to ensure your carry-on stays with you on the plane.