A trade association for air travel companies that include airlines and aircraft manufacturers has a new, smaller size recommendation for carry-on bags, and eight international airlines have already said they will adopt the new regulation.

Travelers may have to buy new carry-on bags and re-think their packing strategy as a result.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the new size guidelines Tuesday. Their recommended best-size for carry-on bags is now 21.5 inches tall, 13.5 inches wide and 7.5 inches deep. That's 21 percent smaller than the current size permitted by most airlines.

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The eight international airlines that jumped on board right away are Air China, Avianca, Azul, Cathay Pacific, China Southern, Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar.

American Airline said it did not have immediate plans to change its size requirements. (Source: WashingtonPost.com)

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