Changes to BA's baggage policy

[Coolhand]

We're making a few changes to our hand baggage and checked baggage allowances.

The new baggage policy is easy to follow and will reduce airport queues, making your journey quicker and hassle-free. The policy changes include hand, checked and excess baggage allowances and will be phased in over the next five months. I’ve included a quick guide below, and a link to the complete policy if you'd like to read more.

HAND BAGGAGE
From 5 July 2006, all customers will be able to take one standard-sized bag (maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm), plus one briefcase, laptop bag or equivalent into the cabin as hand baggage. You must be able to lift your hand baggage into the overhead locker unaided and the briefcase or laptop computer bag or equivalent must fit under the seat in front of you.

CHECKED BAGGAGE
From 11 October, we will be making changes to the number of bags that you can check in. This will vary according to your class of travel and route. The maximum weight per bag will be reduced to 23kgs to comply with health and safety recommendations.

EXCESS BAGGAGE
Excess baggage charges will also be standardised from 11 October. A fixed fee, dependent on the journey length, will be charged for each bag in excess of the free checked baggage allowance. In the majority of cases the new charges will be less than those currently levied and a further 20% discount will be available by pre-paying on line at ba.com

I can see the 23kg in one suitcase causing a few problems!

[seafox]

does not say how many bags will be allowed in each class of service though.

[nelsonone]

BA......right up with Qantas as the biggest assholes in the sky...........

Won't effec t me cause I'l never fly with them.........

KLM is worse...........in an ass class of its own

[stevem]

Originally Posted by nelsonone

BA......right up with Qantas as the biggest assholes in the sky...........

Won't effec t me cause I'l never fly with them.........

KLM is worse...........in an ass class of its own

Expect the changes to be eventually be made by all airlines.

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by seafox

does not say how many bags will be allowed in each class of service though.

from their website:-

A single allowance system based on the number of bags that can be checked in will be introduced from 11 October 2006.


FIRST, Club World, Club Europe and World Traveller Plus
Passengers will be able to check two bags into the aircraft hold free of charge.

World Traveller*, Euro Traveller and UK Domestic
Passengers will be able to check one bag into the aircraft hold free of charge.


Infants will be allowed to check one bag, plus a collapsible baby buggy, into the aircraft hold free of charge in all classes on all routes.

For any connecting journey, the most generous allowance will apply.

Passengers will be able to carry one piece of sporting equipment free of charge in addition to their checked baggage allowance.

A maximum bag weight of 23kg (50lbs) will apply to all bags.


*World Traveller passengers travelling to or from the US, Canada, Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico will continue to be allowed two checked bags in line with the local government regulations.
Maximum weight and size

We will not accept any item of baggage that weighs more than 23kg (50lbs) or oversized items exceeding 2.4m x 0.75m x 0.75m (94in x 29in x 29in).

Advance notification is required 24 hours before departure for exceptional items that weigh between 23kg - 45kg (50 - 90lbs) and which cannot be repacked e.g. musical instruments, electrical wheelchairs, some sporting items, TV news cameras, commercial spares.

[Tyfon]

See:

http://www.phuket-info.com/forums/193426-post16.html

K.

[cybernator_uk]

Originally Posted by Coolhand

I can see the 23kg in one suitcase causing a few problems!

I cant see it causing to much of a problem...... To be honest i think a lot of people travel light anyway.... I know i do my bag is usually under 20 kilos.... i hardly use BA only once for a long haul flight... Never any problems with them tho apart from a 15 minute delay at Gatwick to Frankfurt....

[IRISH JONNY]

Originally Posted by cybernator_uk

I cant see it causing to much of a problem...... To be honest i think a lot of people travel light anyway.... I know i do my bag is usually under 20 kilos........

agree.mine is usally around 15..........
ij

[stevem]

The max bag weight down from 32kgs to 23kgs will affect alot of people. I can just see the checkin area now with a 100 odd people with the contents of their bags all over the place trying to make them lighter.

The one thing that does concern me is the apparent lightening of carryon restrictions. This is one area were airlines should be tightening things up

[Maverick351]

I have seen South African Airways weigh your carry-on as you board the plane. This was from Perth to Joberg, and wonder if any other airlines do the same?

[marc26]

this amazes me. in the states, baggage allowance is far greater
i just flew jet blue, its a low cost regional airline. it allows 2 70lb bags checked

[Coolhand]

Originally Posted by marc26

this amazes me. in the states, baggage allowance is far greater
i just flew jet blue, its a low cost regional airline. it allows 2 70lb bags checked

Well if you fly BA to the States you can still check in two bags, but only 50 lbs weight. Thats because our baggage handlers are wimps and can't lift anything heavier without taking a week or more off work with a strained back.
No I am sorry that's not very fair but after a bottle of Merlot, I can understand the pressure facing the managers to reduce the time off sick by bogus claims.
I remember the chaos when they bought in the 32kg rule with plastic shopping bags being distributed and people lightening their suitcases at the check in - it was total mayhem; & this is supposed to reduce queues at check in?

[Crustasian]

I normally travel with one big bag (not the Mrs) and last time from Dublin back to here they had to stick additional lables on it stating HEAVY - DO NOT LIFT.This is because the baggage handlers are getting injured.

I can't blame them - my bag checked in at 30Kgs.They prefer two smaller bags at 15 Kgs each.I can live with that.

What does annoy me is these idiots who try and travel with massive carry on bags.I would personally welcome a tightening of carry on baggage.Let these arseholes put it in the hold.

[nelsonone]

Unless I am travelling to a cold climate for a long time I only ever travel with one wheelaboard bag + one laptop bag.........I hate waiting on carousels...and I get about 3hrs longer on my holiday......

[barfly]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

I normally travel with one big bag (not the Mrs) and last time from Dublin back to here they had to stick additional lables on it stating HEAVY - DO NOT LIFT.This is because the baggage handlers are getting injured.

I can't blame them - my bag checked in at 30Kgs.They prefer two smaller bags at 15 Kgs each.I can live with that.

What does annoy me is these idiots who try and travel with massive carry on bags.I would personally welcome a tightening of carry on baggage.Let these arseholes put it in the hold.

yeah, and the Chinese and Indians who want top carry dozens of large cardboard boxes tied up with string on board.

[cybernator_uk]

Originally Posted by Crustasian

I normally travel with one big bag (not the Mrs) and last time from Dublin back to here they had to stick additional lables on it stating HEAVY - DO NOT LIFT.This is because the baggage handlers are getting injured.

I can't blame them - my bag checked in at 30Kgs.They prefer two smaller bags at 15 Kgs each.I can live with that.

What does annoy me is these idiots who try and travel with massive carry on bags.I would personally welcome a tightening of carry on baggage.Let these arseholes put it in the hold.

I dont understand what people need to take with them in there hand luggage.... Ok all relevent travel documents (passport, flight tickets etc) a drink if you really need one (i always have a small bottle of volvic water)... a book (oh nearlly forgot my PSP) Camera... Maybe some travel sweets (small bag)... Thats about it and on the way back all i add in there is a carton of cigarettes. That seems about all i can think you really need in there... and to be honest maybe even the water and travel sweets is a bit to much.

[stevem]

Copied from another web site, originally from The Times. The changes are all set to happen. 23kgs isnt alot really when your going on holidays for a couple of weeks, especially as far as the ladies are concerned. Might be a decent business opportunity for someone to setup a bag shop near the checkin area. sounds like you'll probably sell a few.



PAYING pound stg. 120 ($295) to take a second suitcase to Australia sounds steep, but you could be better off under British Airways' new strict baggage policy.

The airline has simplified its baggage policy by limiting economy class passengers to checking in a single bag weighing no more than 23kg. The new strict weight limit and flat rate fee to carry extra bags will leave domestic passengers worse off but will benefit long-haul passengers who want to travel with a lot of luggage.
For passengers travelling after October 11, the airline will no longer check in any bag that weighs more than 23kg. Previously passengers on domestic flights could take bags of up to 32kg, but now passengers in any class, on any flight, must take items out of their luggage if it weighs over 23kg.

For business and first class passengers this is less of an issue because they can check in two pieces of luggage weighing up to 23kg - both on short-haul and long-haul flights.

If items have to be removed from a checked piece of luggage, they can be transferred to hand luggage, which will from July 5 be in line with the baggage policy of EasyJet, allowing passengers to carry bags of unlimited weight on to the aircraft. The only criteria is that a passenger can lift the bag into the overhead locker, and that the bag will fit in the locker, so it needs to be within the dimensions, 56x45x25cm. In addition to this bag a laptop-sized bag or handbag can also be taken.

The limit is the same for all passengers, regardless of the class they travel in.

If excess items cannot be unloaded from a check-in bag into the carry on, then a second bag must be checked in, which incurs a set fee per bag. This fee is pound stg. 30 per bag for British domestic flights, pound stg. 60 per bag for short-haul flights and pound stg. 120 per bag for long-haul flights. It is hard to say whether travellers will be better off with these new fees, because previously the excess baggage charges were made per kilo and varied according to route.

For example, on Frankfurt flights, excess baggage was charged at pound stg. 4.96 per kilo, amounting to over pound stg. 100 on a 23kg bag, which would now cost pound stg. 30, likewise the charge was pounds 34 per kilo to Singapore - a weighty pound stg. 782 for a 23kg bag versus the new charge of pound stg. 120. Obviously, the lighter the second bag, the less the cost savings gained from the new flat rate fee.

The excess baggage fee can be paid at the airport, or from July 12, passengers can pay the fee in advance, and save 20 per cent using BA's "manage my booking" facility online.

In addition to the new policies above, passengers can continue to check in one piece of sporting equipment free of charge, such as golf clubs or skis, and from October 11 families travelling with infants can carry 23kg for each infant (up from the current 10kg) plus a pushchair and a second piece of carry-on luggage.