BA luggage loading

[Surreyman]

From Simon Calder in the Independent

"BA says that all baggage at Terminal 5 is loaded in containers. The the Airbus jets picked up as part of taking BMI off Lufthansa's hands are designed for manual loading, and cannot be used at Terminal 5."

Searching the 'net, I have come across conflicting info, one report states BMI 319s are 'Bulk loaded' but the 320/321's ULD loaded except for ex BMED aircraft.

What is the position at T1 & T3?

Can anyone clarify?

[FlyingEagle21]

Have a read on this Why Are LH 319's Bulk And 320/321 ULD Loaded? — Tech Ops Forum | !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's quite old, have a scroll through, but when BA moved into T5 they converted all there 319's from bulk to ULDs. I assume the same will happen unless?

[Jack1985]

So I'm assuming BA 319's are ULD loaded? there must have been a fair few engine incidents with them slightly challenging job!

[cornishsimon]

This could well be where the suggestion of the BD A319s moving to LGW came from, as these would be a good fit with the 734s @ LGW which are also hand loaded


cs

[HZ123]

Both correct the a/c may well be moved to LGW after T1 ceases. The conversion to contained loading is simple enough.

T5 was designated from the outset for container use only but it can and has dealt with bulk loaded a/c before. One occasion was the leasing of Jet 2 and Titan aircraft a couple of years ago.

[Swedish Steve]

The conversion to contained loading is simple enough.

The conversion of the BA A319 to containerised loading was simple because the aircraft had the system installed on production. A lot of A319 are produced without the system, and would be a lot harder to convert.

When the winter schedule starts, the ex-BMI A319 and A320 will remain on T1 and operate on dedicated routes. There is no plan to convert them to BA standard and mix them up.

The A321 are expected to move to T5.

[Max Angle]

The A321 are expected to move to T5.

They are all bulk loaded as well so maybe they are going to be converted. Apparently left hand refuelling points are also required for T5 which the 321s and 320s don't have.