BA and Extra baggage
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: If it moves, watch it like a hawk: If it doesn't, hit it with a hammer until it does...
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Some people are inclined to carry far too much baggage around
On the flip-side if I am travelling for only a few days then I will pack a small suitcase weighing 10kg or so but may also need to carry a toolcase weighing a further 10kg or so.
How is the additional £120/240 charge justifiable in these circumstances?
It makes me feel like packing my luggage upto the maximum weight allowance with bricks on EVERY trip even if I could travel hand-baggage only.
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Belfast
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Nobody has cared to mention the reason for the 23KG limit. I suppose none of the poor lackeys that hump our baggage around frequent this site.
It's a H&S issue! Few peoples spines can sustain the stresses of throwing 32Kg bags around for very long.
Even the American airlines are looking to introduce limits on size and number of bags for this reason alone, never mind the savings.
If you want to travel with lots of baggage then you can pay for it. What could be fairer.
It's a H&S issue! Few peoples spines can sustain the stresses of throwing 32Kg bags around for very long.
Even the American airlines are looking to introduce limits on size and number of bags for this reason alone, never mind the savings.
If you want to travel with lots of baggage then you can pay for it. What could be fairer.
I suppose none of the poor lackeys that hump our baggage around frequent this site. It's a H&S issue! Few peoples spines can sustain the stresses of throwing 32Kg bags around for very long.
If you want to travel with lots of baggage then you can pay for it. What could be fairer.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: England
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240 pounds, isn't that how much it costs for a return flight to JFK? If so, it is worth it to take another pax and they can carry the extra bag!
Short haul at 120 pounds? Definitely worth it to carry another person, can be upto 50 pounds less!
Could look good for BMI on the shorthaul routes from LHR!
Short haul at 120 pounds? Definitely worth it to carry another person, can be upto 50 pounds less!
Could look good for BMI on the shorthaul routes from LHR!
Shot its self in the foot ? Head morelike . After flight cancellations and all the rest , NO MORE BA . Read that WW . How is it that managers can be so STUPID ? What's more , what happened to service ? It's the customer , STUPID . (To paraphrase Bil Clinton).
Paxing All Over The World
I think that we all know that this is nothing to do >directly< with luggage. It is about what the accountants are pleased to call 'Revenue Streams'.
Since pax do not like to pay more money on the ticket, they have to find ways of charging us more. The old route of fuel surcharge still works for most carriers but charging us for things that were previously included is the main way for them to go.
Since pax do not like to pay more money on the ticket, they have to find ways of charging us more. The old route of fuel surcharge still works for most carriers but charging us for things that were previously included is the main way for them to go.
- Food
- Extra leg room
- Extra wide seat
- Check-in and Priority check-in
- Luggage
- Entertainment (headsets were chargable and may be again one day)
- ??? Fill in your (sensible) suggestion here!
Join Date: Sep 2006
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As this thread is about BA and extra baggage charges....
I need to point out that we don't charge for food, extra leg room, wider seats (unless it's in a different cabin which means it's an upgrade), entertainment (incl headphones), check in and priority check in/boarding. Other airlines do charge for these but we don't.
The weight limit, as someone else pointed out, is to do with health and safety. Can you imagine loading and unloading 130 bags weighing around 30kg per short haul aircraft you work on? I chat with a lot of our loaders and most of them have at some point been off work with back pain. And before you ask, they are all trained in manual handling. I know I'd rather load lighter bags (and that's not because I'm a girl) and avoid serious injury to myself.
I don't know all the inns and outs of this policy, but I'll do some digging around and find out exactly what it means. I can understand that if you are required to carry tools and such heavy items this policy is frustrating, but surely for regular holiday pax and business pax 23kg isn't too little? Unless you're going to Siberia in the middle of winter of course...
I need to point out that we don't charge for food, extra leg room, wider seats (unless it's in a different cabin which means it's an upgrade), entertainment (incl headphones), check in and priority check in/boarding. Other airlines do charge for these but we don't.
The weight limit, as someone else pointed out, is to do with health and safety. Can you imagine loading and unloading 130 bags weighing around 30kg per short haul aircraft you work on? I chat with a lot of our loaders and most of them have at some point been off work with back pain. And before you ask, they are all trained in manual handling. I know I'd rather load lighter bags (and that's not because I'm a girl) and avoid serious injury to myself.
I don't know all the inns and outs of this policy, but I'll do some digging around and find out exactly what it means. I can understand that if you are required to carry tools and such heavy items this policy is frustrating, but surely for regular holiday pax and business pax 23kg isn't too little? Unless you're going to Siberia in the middle of winter of course...
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Diver Dave,
At present, your diving equipment doesn't count as sporting equipment.
However, the new regs do ... I also understand (but can't be 100%) that for diving equipment the weight limit on your sport bag is increased considerably as long as you give 24hr notice
Oh, and the media have managed to totally mislead on this. The '£240' assumes two people, excess bag each, and not pre-booked (where the price is £84)
May be worth checking before you write BA off. I know that the changes make it the first airline of choice for sporting weapon users.
At present, your diving equipment doesn't count as sporting equipment.
However, the new regs do ... I also understand (but can't be 100%) that for diving equipment the weight limit on your sport bag is increased considerably as long as you give 24hr notice
Oh, and the media have managed to totally mislead on this. The '£240' assumes two people, excess bag each, and not pre-booked (where the price is £84)
May be worth checking before you write BA off. I know that the changes make it the first airline of choice for sporting weapon users.
I totally understand LoCos charging for more than 1 bag as it is a good cost saving and money making policy. Furthermore people travelling LoCo are generally only going short haul and for a short period of time. However somebody like BA doing the same is utterly rediculous.
When I go abroad for a long period of time I like to take two bags as it is far more convenient with washing etc. Furthermore it is always good to take a spare bag for all the shopping that you do when you are away.
BA could justify this charge if you got 2 bags for free but 1 bag? Rediculous; and at that price it is even more rediculous.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am not flying BA again until they sort themselves out ... it isn't like they run a monopoly on any of their routes!
I would like to add however that I do understand dropping the weight limit to 23kgs as really heavy bags wouldn't be much fun for the handlers getting them in and out of the planes; but why not 23 kgs across 2 bags (which makes it even better for the handlers as then they get just over 10kgs each rather than 23kgs).
My advice, buy a golf bag and pack your clothes into that - then you can call it sporting equipment and take two bags!
When I go abroad for a long period of time I like to take two bags as it is far more convenient with washing etc. Furthermore it is always good to take a spare bag for all the shopping that you do when you are away.
BA could justify this charge if you got 2 bags for free but 1 bag? Rediculous; and at that price it is even more rediculous.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am not flying BA again until they sort themselves out ... it isn't like they run a monopoly on any of their routes!
I would like to add however that I do understand dropping the weight limit to 23kgs as really heavy bags wouldn't be much fun for the handlers getting them in and out of the planes; but why not 23 kgs across 2 bags (which makes it even better for the handlers as then they get just over 10kgs each rather than 23kgs).
My advice, buy a golf bag and pack your clothes into that - then you can call it sporting equipment and take two bags!
we don't charge for food, extra leg room, wider seats (unless it's in a different cabin which means it's an upgrade), entertainment (incl headphones), check in and priority check in/boarding. Other airlines do charge for these but we don't.
surely for regular holiday pax and business pax 23kg isn't too little?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: MAN
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Err...
Llademos
Thanks,
I was using BA (GB) on the MAN-MLA run last year as they
kindly offered to match the AM extra (30Kg) allowance. I think
it was 4 flight in total.
I had a nice letter from Customer Services asking if I was happy
at the end of the season and to contact them this year when the
new season started.
I wrote in Nov last year just to check it was still ok and got a one
line note back saying "Due to new baggage allowances, we will
no logner be able to honour that commitment."
AM just said 'OK'.
My points above do not relate really to physical sizes of
allowances (23Kg 32Kg).
I can just get my diving kit in at about 23Kg with *Some* clothes.
It's the fact that they give me a *FREE* allowance of 23Kg then charge
me to split it between two bags, which in any case HAS to be better
from the manual handling POV.
The fact they wrote and said they'd match the AM allowances, allowed
me to do it 4 times then gave a very abrupt NO is by the bye.
BA / GB to MLA was nice although it's now gone to the BACON
pay for everything model an on a 3 1/2 hr flight I'd rather pay the same,
go 'Full service' with AM and get the extra baggage allowance.
It will be interesting to see how this effects the Malta / Cyprus / Crete routes this summer.
DaveA
Thanks,
I was using BA (GB) on the MAN-MLA run last year as they
kindly offered to match the AM extra (30Kg) allowance. I think
it was 4 flight in total.
I had a nice letter from Customer Services asking if I was happy
at the end of the season and to contact them this year when the
new season started.
I wrote in Nov last year just to check it was still ok and got a one
line note back saying "Due to new baggage allowances, we will
no logner be able to honour that commitment."
AM just said 'OK'.
My points above do not relate really to physical sizes of
allowances (23Kg 32Kg).
I can just get my diving kit in at about 23Kg with *Some* clothes.
It's the fact that they give me a *FREE* allowance of 23Kg then charge
me to split it between two bags, which in any case HAS to be better
from the manual handling POV.
The fact they wrote and said they'd match the AM allowances, allowed
me to do it 4 times then gave a very abrupt NO is by the bye.
BA / GB to MLA was nice although it's now gone to the BACON
pay for everything model an on a 3 1/2 hr flight I'd rather pay the same,
go 'Full service' with AM and get the extra baggage allowance.
It will be interesting to see how this effects the Malta / Cyprus / Crete routes this summer.
DaveA
Join Date: Sep 2006
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Andy S, I was simply clarifying something in Pax's posting, which insinuated that BA charge for any on-board products. Again, I need to explain: BA do NOT charge for any of the items mentioned in the earlier post, whether a short or long haul flight.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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This has not just been announced. It has been on the BA website for months. The newspapers just make it sound like BA have told passengers a week before the reductions start.
If you are flying from say London to the US in economy you are still allowed two bags each weighing 23 kilos at no extra cost. 46 kilos is an awful lot of luggage.
If you are flying from say London to the US in economy you are still allowed two bags each weighing 23 kilos at no extra cost. 46 kilos is an awful lot of luggage.
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Are you forgetting that on routes to the USA and many other long haul destinations, economy passengers can still check in two bags each weighing 23 kilos at no extra cost? That is still 46 kilos for one person. Why would you possibly need any more? And on short haul routes, 23 kilos is still a lot compared to other airlines.
And this has also been on the BA website now for months. It is hardly as if BA have suddenly dropped this on passengers.
And this has also been on the BA website now for months. It is hardly as if BA have suddenly dropped this on passengers.
Yes, luggage limits on Trans-Atlantics are fine; except I am not going to be travelling to the US anytime soon and other operators are cheaper to Canada.
As it is I am off to Canada on Saturday and Air Canada also give me a 46kg allowance so it isn't like BA are any better anyway.
Next time I fly long haul I will be off to Asia and I can assure you I won't be flying BA unless they start sorting themselves out and realise that customers are able to go elsewhere if they get better service!
As it is I am off to Canada on Saturday and Air Canada also give me a 46kg allowance so it isn't like BA are any better anyway.
Next time I fly long haul I will be off to Asia and I can assure you I won't be flying BA unless they start sorting themselves out and realise that customers are able to go elsewhere if they get better service!
Join Date: Jun 2004
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Absolutely mad...crazy, nuts, stupid, daft!!! Whoever came up with this policy should be marched out of waterside and thrown in that big pond outside the front door.
How can they justify that much money when the likes of aerlingus only charge between €4-16 depending on when the bag is booked and where you are going! Its daft!
But no doubt they will blame the empty planes on us cabin crew and not their stupid baggage policy!!!
And whats the point in having a handbaggage policy that says you can bring a bag of any reasonable weight as long as you can lift it yourself into a locker (and one additional breifcase/laptop or ladies handbag) when security in the UK wont let you take any of it!!! OOOHHH,,,,I SO MAD!
How can they justify that much money when the likes of aerlingus only charge between €4-16 depending on when the bag is booked and where you are going! Its daft!
But no doubt they will blame the empty planes on us cabin crew and not their stupid baggage policy!!!
And whats the point in having a handbaggage policy that says you can bring a bag of any reasonable weight as long as you can lift it yourself into a locker (and one additional breifcase/laptop or ladies handbag) when security in the UK wont let you take any of it!!! OOOHHH,,,,I SO MAD!
Join Date: Mar 2001
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Well it may have been on their website for months but they have hardly done much to inform their customers.
Crazy - supply an inferior product to your competitors and your competitors will take your customers - what idiots thought this one up? Don't pi$$ off your customers, they pay your salary. Duh!!!
KLM will be getting my money from now on.
Crazy - supply an inferior product to your competitors and your competitors will take your customers - what idiots thought this one up? Don't pi$$ off your customers, they pay your salary. Duh!!!
KLM will be getting my money from now on.
Join Date: Mar 2001
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You are witnessing the 'Ryanairisation' of what was once, and I emphasise once, the World's favourite airline. Are Walsh and O'Leary related or is it simply that they come from the same gene pool?
Join Date: Sep 2004
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It goes against the grain for me to say and a postive note is unusual wher BA is concerned of late. But on balance, the new regulations suit me and my family very fine thank you.
Including my wife who usually is well past the Gold level every year.
The benefits -
No Hand baggage limit. Hurrah! (Pinched from easyJet, but thanks anyway)
23Kg limit, more than adeqaute for any personal travel.
I don't ruin someones else health.
BA keeps it's costs down reflected in fares and share price.
I don'y pay for others kitchen sinks
The downside.
I have to pack a plastic bag for dirty undies. Boo Hoo Hoo.
So.. IMHO if anyone wants extra they can just pay the fairly reasonable charges or upgrade to business.
Including my wife who usually is well past the Gold level every year.
The benefits -
No Hand baggage limit. Hurrah! (Pinched from easyJet, but thanks anyway)
23Kg limit, more than adeqaute for any personal travel.
I don't ruin someones else health.
BA keeps it's costs down reflected in fares and share price.
I don'y pay for others kitchen sinks
The downside.
I have to pack a plastic bag for dirty undies. Boo Hoo Hoo.
So.. IMHO if anyone wants extra they can just pay the fairly reasonable charges or upgrade to business.