Flying BA ?

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tross

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Hi All,

For those who are thinking of flying BA in the New Year - maybe to the charter boat you may want to look at the new baggage restrictions they are going to introduce in Feb BA baggage

Talk about excessive charges - it makes the banks look positively generous!
 
Still hoping to use my BA airmilesat some point - what a joke they are. Seem to only be avalable on flights that are impossible to use.
 
The economy allowance looks about the same to me 23kg.
( most carriers are 20kg)

Difference looks like the way they will charge for excess as they are going to charge per piece rather than by the kg.

The good thing is that as a result of the security enhancment ( the only good thing) is that all airlines are being forced by the authorities to allow only 1 pc of handbaggage.

Most airline have wanted to do this for years but have been unable to implement it due to the unwritten fact that it was a major selling point to frequent travellers...but a bl##dy pain the arse to everybody else.

Nick
 
Bollocks I booked with BA rather than Ryan/easy for the Feb half term as their baggage allowances were better for very little extra dosh,surely they can't change the terms and conditions for a booked and paid for flight.
Or are there some weasel words deep in their T&Cs which mean a contract is unilaterally changeable?
I feel some correspondence with BA coming on.
 
They haven't changed the weight of the allowance at all; its always been 23kgs, or at least certainly on short haul. The difference is they are restricting the weight of individual bags and for economy the number of bags. So when my wife and I go away we tend to have a large bag and a small bag between us. The large bag tends to be just over 23kgs and the small bag well under, so between us well under the 46kgs. This year ok; next year no because the larger bag will be overweight.
 
Then try Ryanair or Easyjet !!

- BAs baggage allowance are ( and are getting even more so as the others heap on restrictions) better than the low-cost guys and, without checking, are way better than other IATA airlines (ever tried taking skis or other sporting eqpt on them ?? !!)

- BA's dealing window was recently opened for the first time in donkey's years. The price is highest it's been for ages

- Directors share dealings are a matter of public record for all PLCs - so no need for rumours

- Rumours of a strike at BA ? - hell that's a first ! Bit like betting on the winner of a 1-horse race

- I do not work for BA - just putting record right !!
 
Re: Then try Ryanair or Easyjet !!

Just got a mail from BA telling me about the new policy which of course is only there to comply with health & safety recommendations.

Clearly it's now considered too dangerous for the poor baggage handlers to handle a bag >23kg, even though they handle bags up to 50kg if you're in first today. Oh, and 45kg, tomorrow if it's sports equipment.

Here's what you can take if you're into sports (cut from the BA web site):

From 13 February 2007, all customers will be allowed to check in their respective free checked baggage allowance PLUS one additional item of sports equipment from the list below.

For Sporting goods items that weigh between 23kg - 45kg (50 - 99lbs) please notify at time of booking or at a minimum of 24 hours before departure. We will not accept oversized items exceeding 2.5m x 1.00m x 0.80m (98in x 39in x 31in).

Snow and skiing equipment
Skis, poles and boot bag allowed
Snowboard and boot bag allowed

Golf Equipment
A golf bag containing clubs and a pair of golf shoes allowed

Fishing equipment
The Rod & tackle bags are allowed

Bicycles
A single seat touring non motorised bicycle is allowed.

Windsurfer sets
Windsurfer sets comprise of board, sail & spare plus mast are all considered as one bag and will be accepted as long as they do not exceed the maximum dimensions

Diving equipment kit
Diving equipment kit comprises of facemask, pair of fins, pressure gauge, regulator, safety vest, snorkel, tanks and weights belt, snorkel,
NB Sporting goods weighing over 23kg will require pre-notification. E.g. diving equipment up to a maximum weight of 45kgs and the cylinder must be empty to ensure safe handling

Hang gliders
Hang gliders are unlikely to be with in the maximum dimensions but if they are will be counted as one bag

Firearms
Sporting guns/firearms will continue to be accepted as sporting goods – considered as one bag no charge and no change to current handling process

Any other sports item not listed above, will be charged as an extra bag if the customer is over their free checked baggage allowance.

So let's look a little closer: skiing, fishing, cycling etc OK.

Anyone ever tried a windsurfer under 2.5m? Sinkers only methinks.
Diving - tanks & weights are hardly ever transported but mine would weigh 25kg on their own. Diving suits don't seem to be included though brrrr. Gald so see it's finally officially included though.
Hang-gliders - now you're really taking the p..s.

Do these guys actually ever think about what the write?


Let's face it though. The real reason why they are doing this is to save money. Most people fly cattle class. At the moment, you can take

UK domestic routes allowances (including BA Connect London City Airport routes) - one bag of 32kg.

Europe and all other international routes (including BA Connect London City Airport routes) - 23kg

USA, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Nigeria, Caribbean and Central America - 32kg

All of this gets reduced to 23kg. It's just about cutting back on service to save cash. Then they'll wonder why they lose even more market share. As far as I'm concirned they're now just another one of the also-rans & I use the pretty crappy United to go to the US 4-5 tiems a year. Their service is a bit worse but the loyaly program is far better.
 
Re: Then try Ryanair or Easyjet !!

It's not so much the 23Kg per bag its the 1 bag only - that I can't cope with. When I go to the states on business I need to take more than that if I go for a couple of weeks or so, the excess baggage is £100+ ( each way?) and that is the most I have seen. For the cheapies then fair ( or should that be fare) enough you know where you stand and the price reflects it - this is just not the case with BA on a £500+ flight . I think Ryan air only charged me £20 for a 23kg case last time. This is a out and out change to create another way of milking the customer at the airport when they have no option.
 
I very much doubt that in reality they will insist that you only check in 1 piece at up to 23kg...Even if it starts that way it will very soon go back to 1,2 or 3 pcs weighing up to 23kgs.

It makes almost no difference to the carrier whether they are handling, say, 500 23kg bags at 11500kg, or 700 bags at the same total weight.

Nick
 
Re: Flying BA ? Not only them ...

At the end of the famous Security scare recently when no cabin baggage etc. I was talking to both Ryan-air and BA about bags etc. Both told me same story that soon ALL airlines would be restricted to size and weight of bags carry-on and checked. It was also mentioned that it was prompted not only by airlines wanting to save weight and costs vs vs fuel etc. - but also airport handling staff having problem siwth some of the "House-Bricks" some insist on taking - that near break handlers backs.

I for one really hate the over-weight baggage people especially when they board an aircraft with bag, carriers, duty-frees, you name it and then moan that they can't put it all where they sit ... mainly 'cause some other idiot is carrying similar over allowance stuff.

I have seen people "hide" bags to get them on flights ... and not checked in ...

I don't like the restrictive ways of Ryan-air etc. BUT it has brought home to a lot of people just how daft their baggage often is.

Maybe the link / illustrated post is only BA ... but according to Customer Services call I had some months ago - it was due to come in for all airlines .... so ????
 
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