BA Baggage Allowance Cuts

[rugmuncher]

My situation is that I am due to return to the UK from over the pond since Feb', and am trying to establish what ny return allowance will be, I flew out with 2 x 32Kg, do they expect me to return with 2 x 23 Kg,,,

BA are giving me the run around,,, but checking their site this morning I found this reference:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel...k/public/en_gb

Will post anything new I get from BA!

[L'aviateur]

How does this affect IATA special fare customers who have excess baggage allowances of 40-60kg

[FloridaCandle]

Hi Bealine - thanks for your response.

Think your suggestion of offering refunds to those that want them is a good one. In my case, I don't necessarily want a refund, just to be allowed to travel with what I paid for. No problem on o/b as before 11th October, but return is after so that will be a problem with the 23kg.

Another sensible idea would be to allow those who were ticketed before announcement was made, and have confirmations showing the 2 x 32kg, to allow them that even if it means splitting it into 3 x 23kg (or thereabouts).

It saddens me that a very few BA staff seem to be laughing in our faces over this. As Bealine says how would you like it if you buy a 7-seater car only to find you're getting a 4-seater. Or perhaps buy a 3 piece suit, and then once you've paid up front, you discover you have to pay more for the jacket. You wouldn't like it. A little more understanding might be nice.

[marlowe]

Nobody is laughing in your face its just that you seem to be making such a big fuss of this im sure that BA have the right to ammend there rules and regs as they see fit and latest R&Rs supercede all others.

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by marlowe

Nobody is laughing in your face its just that you seem to be making such a big fuss of this im sure that BA have the right to ammend there rules and regs as they see fit and latest R&Rs supercede all others.

You're quite right BA have the right to amend their r&r's if they so wish. However, the honourable and decent thing to do would be to honour their commitment and contracts with those ticketed before changes were announced. It would be minimal (if any) cost to BA and would solve a lot of ill feeling which currently exists among pax in this situation. It could easily be done with appropriate notation in the PNR.

Maybe to you I'm making a big fuss but, as I said before, others feel just as angry as me so I'm not alone. I'm far from wealthy and have saved hard to be able to afford the premium cabin. If I was paying a £300 Y fare, I'd probably just say "stuff it" and live with it. Having paid over £2,000 to travel in J, I don't then expect to have to pay at least £120 more to carry my luggage which was included when I paid.

I'm travelling for almost 4 weeks, part business part pleasure, so I will have quite a bit of stuff with me - allowed on the way out. Because allowance reduces whilst I'm away I have to figure a way to get it back - either use BA at £120 for 23kg bag (£96 pre booked) or send it by luggage courier at £129 for 30kg bag door to door. If BA insist on charging me I will certainly go for the latter option!

[bealine]

FloridaCandle - as I understand it, the whole reason for change is to remove our (the staff) use of discretion so that the shinybums in the office can be sure no passenger has "got away with it!"

The annotation in a PNR would suddenly give reservations staff a bit of discretion so its something Willie Wonka and his not-so-merry-men would never agree to!

Our Check-In Systems are being tweaked as well to ensure we can't print an extra bag tag without payment. The belts are being calibrated so they won't move if a weight over 23 kgs stands on them!

That is why we can't give any discretion - the whole thing goes live on 11th October!

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by bealine

FloridaCandle - as I understand it, the whole reason for change is to remove our (the staff) use of discretion so that the shinybums in the office can be sure no passenger has "got away with it!"
The annotation in a PNR would suddenly give reservations staff a bit of discretion so its something Willie Wonka and his not-so-merry-men would never agree to!
Our Check-In Systems are being tweaked as well to ensure we can't print an extra bag tag without payment. The belts are being calibrated so they won't move if a weight over 23 kgs stands on them!
That is why we can't give any discretion - the whole thing goes live on 11th October!

Thanks Bealine - First Luggage is looking more appealing by the day with their 30kg door to door service!

Seems like Willie Wonka (is this miss-spelt! ) doesn't want his staff to have a brain - perhaps he should be put on check-in desks on 11th October instead and see how he likes the customers' reactions.

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by rugmuncher

My situation is that I am due to return to the UK from over the pond since Feb', and am trying to establish what ny return allowance will be, I flew out with 2 x 32Kg, do they expect me to return with 2 x 23 Kg,,,

YES if flying back on or after 11th October!

[Globaliser]

Originally Posted by Bluejay

I just want to clear something up here, it appears that everyone thinks that BA are implementing this new handbaggage and checked baggage poilicy to annoy all who fly with them. Let me point something out it has been highlighted in earlier posts that some of you travelling with BA are actually getting an INCREASED allowance. Now if I have read this wrong then I am sure it will be pointed out by one of you, but I am also pretty certain that Bealine will back me up. ALL european passengers (Eurotraveller and Club Europe) are actually getting a BIGGER allowance, if you look at the total weight allowed I am sure you will agree.
Club Europe - checked 2pcs @23kg each plus one hand luggage item (max weight will be 23kg) therefore total is - 69kg
Eurotraveller - checked 1pce @ 23kg plus one handluggage @23kg total - 64kg

I think you mean 46 kg for Y.

But more to the point, although I'm sure BA didn't aim to annoy all their passengers. But the new rules are likely to have this effect.

I've said it before, and it's probably worth saying again: The worst part of the new rules is not the limits, it's the lack of flexibility.

For example:-

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It's this sort of thing which is madness. You expect it of the low-fare nickle-and-dime merchants, but not from an airline like BA.

[10secondsurvey]

I think Globalier has hit the nail on the head here, in the final sentence above. It is exactly the kind of nonsense you would expect from the likes of ryanair, but not of BA.

I guess the problem is that someone within BA put this forward thinking they could 'pull a fast one' - that is, tell pax they have a higher luggage allowance, but insist it is split over two bags, that way it will be difficult for anyone to criticise, and BA will win, as most pax will just elect to carry less luggage, and take one bag. Genius!

The point is that this is what I and many others think of as 'sharp practices' and BA shareholders will do themselves no long term favours going down this route. Premium passengers choose BA partly because they do not want this kind of crap, and are prepared to pay for the privilege.

I think the reality is that BA have appointed a CEO with a recent track record of converting a 'full service' airline into what can only be called a 'budget' airline. Had they wished to appoint someone to raise standards at BA, that person would not have been chosen.

It is abundantly clear from the choice of the man in charge, that BA are heading in only one direction - so things can only get worse. Mark my words, exec club point/miles/lounges/service standards will be next for the grinder, along with any other reason a person would choose to fly BA.

Soon it will no longer be called British Airways, just BAdotcom (with a big dot!). Virgin, Cathay, singapore and the likes better start ramping up capacity, as they are going to need it - soon!

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by Globaliser

It's this sort of thing which is madness. You expect it of the low-fare nickle-and-dime merchants, but not from an airline like BA.

Well said Globaliser - you hit the nail right on the head. Guess that's BA now want to position themselves in the market.

[Final 3 Greens]

I stopped using BA (unless there is no other option) after their ground staff in Brussels were particularly unhelpful after my case was broken in transit last year.

I asked for help to get a replacement case before I returned home from a 3 day business trip.

It could not be done, they said. So what can you do, I asked. Check your broken case in under a limited release, at your risk.

Wonderful, just the sort of service that you expect from a wannabe low cost carrier, except the ticket cost £444!

Coming after the catering shambles, it was the final straw.

[Terry K Rumble]

I have spent the past couple of weeks writing to and phoning BA on this subject.
I have just had a phone call from BA executive services explaining that there is absolutely nothing further to discuss, and as far as they are concerned the matter is closed. FWIW I booked and paid in Jan of this year for a trip to Phoenix with my wife.
I can understand that they may wish to bring their allowances in line with other carriers, but surely it would have been fairer to honour the tickets of those of us who paid well in advance. Frankly, this is the most outrageous thing ANY airline has ever done to me. I am not a legal man, but I will give all of the paperwork; e tickets etc (and a bottle of Scotch!) to my solicitor and ask him to check on the legality of it all. My e ticket clearly states 'terms of contract' on it, and I think this is a breach of that contract. Maybe we should all get together and give BA a bloody nose? (pm me if agree)
I too have remained loyal to BA over the years, safe in the knowledge that if I did have anything to bring back or fly out with, I would be within the weight limits. Now, that is not the case.
I have explained to BA that this trip in November this year will be the last I ever fly with BA. We might as well pay less, fly Virgin and get a better service, with the same baggage allowance
Shame on you Willie Walsh, BA will no longer be regarded as the 'worlds favourite airline' but as the 'world most immoral and unfair airline'
Where's that number for Virgin Atlantic gone?
Kind regards
TKR

[el @]

Do you have small claims courts in the UK Terry?
Bring you excess luggage and pay for it. Then have your day in court with all the receipts etc. If you win, you will become SLF idol, I promise you.

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by Terry K Rumble

I have spent the past couple of weeks writing to and phoning BA on this subject. I have just had a phone call from BA executive services explaining that there is absolutely nothing further to discuss, and as far as they are concerned the matter is closed.
Shame on you Willie Walsh, BA will no longer be regarded as the 'worlds favourite airline' but as the 'world most immoral and unfair airline'
Where's that number for Virgin Atlantic gone?
Kind regards
TKR

Ditto for me - BA Executive Services absolutely refuse to budge - courteous and polite, but constantly repeat the new rules over and over again without referring to anything you've put in your letter.

I can understand that they may wish to bring their allowances in line with other carriers, but surely it would have been fairer to honour the tickets of those of us who paid well in advance

I agree, but according to them I have enough time to adjust my plans and make my cases lighter! So now, instead of being able to enjoy the vacation that I paid for, I must now change my arrangements to fall in with new rules that didn't even apply at the time I paid. Totally and utterly wrong, and as others have said, not even sure how legal this is.
As el suggests, I will be keeping my excess baggage receipts and fully intend to take this matter further on return.

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by bealine

.....
However, Florida Candle, you will find that no carriers that will allow the 2 X 32kg allowances - CO / AA / UA will allow over 23kg to 32kg at extra charge for a short period, but once the BAA / CAA clamp down on maximum bag weights, even that will have to stop!
No Flames - I'm only interested in getting back to decent customer relations!

Following your post the other day bealine, I have had letter from BA telling me the reason for change in checked baggage allowance is to protect BA staff - it makes no reference whatsoever to any BAA/CAA clamp down at all. I know this is what they're telling you, but they're telling pax something entirely different.

And, sorry but VS still have the 2 x 32kg for PE, and 3 x 32kg for Upper Class (their Y is already at 23kg).

Again, no flames, just wanted to tell you what we as pax are being told.

[PAXboy]

VS have this on their website:
From 5 July 2006, The BAA (British Airport Authorities) will be introducing new hand baggage policies to speed up and reduce the time you spend queuing through their security procedures at the airports.

Virgin Atlantic’s current hand baggage allowance policies are already in line with the BAA and the UK Department for Transports recommendations, but we advise all passengers to check our baggage allowance policy to ensure all hand baggage meets our required guidelines before travel.

Hand baggage size gauges will be made available at check in. Oversize hand baggage not complying with our baggage guidelines needs to be checked in at our check in desks.

For further information please visit the passenger information section of our website at: www.virginatlantic.com/baggageallowances
The details are there and easily set out and not worth reposting here. Some rotues are by item and some by weight.

FloridaCandle

VS still have the 2 x 32kg for PE, and 3 x 32kg for Upper Class (their Y is already at 23kg).

Unfortunately, this only holds for Transatlantic, Caribbean and Nigerian routes. On routes to South Africa, Australia, Asia and Dubai they operate a weight system of allowance for checked in baggage. This reduces your allowance considerably. For example, PE has no benefits over Y for baggage (23kgs) and UC is limited to 30kgs. So it looks as if competition helps on those routes.

[FloridaCandle]

Originally Posted by PAXboy

Unfortunately, this only holds for Transatlantic, Caribbean and Nigerian routes.

And it's the Transatlantic route which affects me, hence why VS is looking far more appealing next time round.

[Terry K Rumble]

FloridaCandle,

You wrote earlier..
'And, sorry but VS still have the 2 x 32kg for PE, and 3 x 32kg for Upper Class (their Y is already at 23kg)'

If that is correct Sir, am I to believe that when BA told me that NO baggage was to be over 23kg for 'employee safety reasons' that it was not entirely telling me the truth? Surely not Sir!! I did explain to the same lady that after flying heavy jets in the RAF for 30 years, I knew just a little bit about reduced weight = less fuel etc. however, she was most adament that this was NOT at all a cost-cutting measure. Hmmmm, yeah, OK.

The nice lady at BA told me that it was to bring them in line with UK board of trade advice on company individuals lifting more than 23kgs. Clearly, if what you say is correct, then VS are not taking the same advice? I think I'll be joining you and flying VS from now on.

Willie Walsh, you are NOT an honourable man Sir! Shame on you.

TKR

[10secondsurvey]

Regarding the way the timing of this change has been handled is also interesting. For example, the budget airline Flybe introduced changes to its luggage policy earlier this year, yet it did not set a 'starting date' like BA, instead using infinite wisdom (clearly lacking at top level BA management), Flybe made its announcement that the changes would start for any ticket BOOKED AFTER 1st May.

The difference is critical, people therefore had a choice, as the changes only applied to tickets actually booked after a set date, whereas with BA the changes will apply regardless of how long ago you booked the flight.

BA management should take note, as many of those posting here, booked their tickets before the changes were announced, and they are rightly angry. Top marks to BA for sheer skill in p*ssing off its most frequent flyers.

As others have pointed out, Virgin claim their allowances meet any regulations already, so the line from BA about meeting safety requirements sounds even more like utter b*llocks.