Can carry-on bags be stowed in an empty seat without purchasing a ticket for that seat?

The policy regarding stowing carry-on bags in an empty seat is clear: it is against airline policy to place a carry-on bag in an unoccupied seat unless that seat has been purchased by a passenger. The reasoning behind this rule revolves around safety and space management within the aircraft. When bags are placed in unassigned seats, it can impede the ability of flight attendants to ensure safety during boarding, deplaning, and emergencies. Furthermore, it could lead to complications regarding weight distribution in the cabin.

While some might assume that small bags could be treated differently, the policy is uniformly applied to all types of carry-on luggage regardless of size. Therefore, the correct understanding is that stowing bags on unoccupied seats is not permissible under the airline's regulations, reinforcing the importance of abiding by these guidelines for the safe operation of the flight.