British Airways baggage policy.
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I would like to tell you how we are simplifying our baggage policy to make it easier to
follow, reduce airport queues and align ourselves with UK Department for Transport
recommendations. The policy changes include hand, checked and excess baggage allowances and
will be phased in over the next five months.
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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, complying with UK Department for Transport recommendations. You must be able to
lift your hand baggage into the overhead locker unaided and the briefcase or laptop bag must
fit under the seat in front of you.
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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.
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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
The new hand luggage allowance is more generous than before and the hold lugagge is more generous than before
Dave
An over simplification. It has been reported that the new rules will be strictly enforced - meaning those few times when we've been slightly over wont be allowed any more. The enforcement will apparently be at check in, at security (sent back to check in if over) and also at transfers (flight connection centre) - which will cause chaos and major delays if rigidly enforced.
The carry on weight allowance is increased, but the piece allowance reduced - a second piece must fit under seat in front which may not be possible some seats, no more 1 bag + laptop + duty free or suit bag (1 of these will need to be checked).
The hold luggage allowance has reduced in some circumstances and increased in others. The biggest issue though is a strict limit on weight per piece of 23kg - if you're over you have to repack. The excess baggage fee is pretty high at 120 pounds for each longhaul flight - may well be cheaper to ditch stuff at check in if you're over and can't fit it in carry-on.
I am very glad I have a trip on BA a couple of days before the new rules take effect as I can imagine horrendous delays and multiple misconnects. I only hope my plans don't change to a later date.
An over simplification. It has been reported that the new rules will be strictly enforced - meaning those few times when we've been slightly over wont be allowed any more. The enforcement will apparently be at check in, at security (sent back to check in if over) and also at transfers (flight connection centre) - which will cause chaos and major delays if rigidly enforced.
The carry on weight allowance is increased, but the piece allowance reduced - a second piece must fit under seat in front which may not be possible some seats, no more 1 bag + laptop + duty free or suit bag (1 of these will need to be checked).
The hold luggage allowance has reduced in some circumstances and increased in others. The biggest issue though is a strict limit on weight per piece of 23kg - if you're over you have to repack. The excess baggage fee is pretty high at 120 pounds for each longhaul flight - may well be cheaper to ditch stuff at check in if you're over and can't fit it in carry-on.
I am very glad I have a trip on BA a couple of days before the new rules take effect as I can imagine horrendous delays and multiple misconnects. I only hope my plans don't change to a later date.
1 bag + laptop + duty free bag is exactly what will be allowed. Suit carriers are not currently allowed in excess of this anyway, so any allowance of them has been beyond the cabin baggage allowance
The excess bag fee is significantly lower than before. At the moment, excess fees from UK-OZ for example is GBP25 per Kg . Under the new scheme the excess fee will be GBP120 ( or 96 if prepaid ) for an additional piece of up to 23Kg.
Currently , on most routes, the allowance for hold baggage is 23/23/30/40 Kg; under the new scheme it will be 23/46/46/46 for Y/W/J/F respectively, albeit limited to 1 piece in economy and 2 pieces in all other classes
I find it hard to find anything to complain about to be honest , except for those doing transatlantic flights where 2 * 32 has reduced to 2 * 23
Member of: AA Exec Plat; QF LTG; PC Plat; HHonors Gold
Posts: 10,055
Re: British Airways baggage policy
My concern (purely personal due to my own travel patterns) is that this policy is different to other airlines that I use on the same trip (usually something like a DONE4).
So for purely BA travel, or even for BA/AA combined travel, it is indeed generous and workable. But when my travel includes QF or BA, my carry-on bag size is limited by those airlines policies, so if I want a "standard size" carry-on for my BA flights, it will need to check checked for QF.
But QF and CX will permit me 2 checked bags to 32kg each, while BA and AA limit them to 23kg each.
So I end up with the need to arrange my luggage (carry-on and checked) based on the lowest common denominator. Which means one small carry-on bag (to 7kg) plus laptop, and two checked bags to 23kg, which is somewhat less than either the BA/AA combined allowance or the QF/CX combined allowance.
The sooner all OneWorld airlines move to a common allowance (whichever one, I don't care a great deal either way), the better.
My only other concern is seeing people struggle to fit their "standard size" carry-on bags into the overhead lockers on BA's 737 and A319/A320 aircraft and noting the need to board early to ensure sufficient space for my QF-sized carry-on bag.
The excess bag fee is significantly lower than before. At the moment, excess fees from UK-OZ for example is GBP25 per Kg . Under the new scheme the excess fee will be GBP120 ( or 96 if prepaid ) for an additional piece of up to 23Kg.
It is higher - if you're 1kg over then 120 pounds vs 25 (I'll take your word that is the current charge). And don't forget the free allowance per bag is lower so that makes it even worse.
A 32kg bag under current rules is charged nothing (unless in economy and not on a ticket that includes americas). Whereas under new rules you have to split it into 2 bags, and the extra 10kg (assuming 1kg empty weight of the extra bag) is charged 120 pounds.
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My only other concern is seeing people struggle to fit their "standard size" carry-on bags into the overhead lockers on BA's 737 and A319/A320 aircraft and noting the need to board early to ensure sufficient space for my QF-sized carry-on bag.
Having significantly heavier carry-ons may well lead to the circus that us-based airlines have for boarding
Member of: AA Exec Plat; QF LTG; PC Plat; HHonors Gold
Posts: 10,055
Re: British Airways baggage policy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kiwi Flyer
IA 32kg bag under current rules is charged nothing (unless in economy and not on a ticket that includes americas). Whereas under new rules you have to split it into 2 bags, and the extra 10kg (assuming 1kg empty weight of the extra bag) is charged 120 pounds.
Where can I buy one of those 1kg bags capable to safely carrying 10kg of contents as checked baggage?
Hey I didnt say it would be safe! Pretty sure those cheap jumbo size plastic bags weigh 1kg or less and can carry several kilos. But you're right - I was being generous for a normal suitcase let alone a wheelie.
It is higher - if you're 1kg over then 120 pounds vs 25 (I'll take your word that is the current charge). And don't forget the free allowance per bag is lower so that makes it even worse.
A 32kg bag under current rules is charged nothing (unless in economy and not on a ticket that includes americas). Whereas under new rules you have to split it into 2 bags, and the extra 10kg (assuming 1kg empty weight of the extra bag) is charged 120 pounds.
A 32KG bag on a non US route should be charged for 2 Kg over for business ( GBP50 on a UK-OZ ) and 9 Kg over for economy ( 12 * 25 = GBP225 on Uk-Oz)
If travelling business, it will have to be 2 bags but there would be no excess charge owing and in economy, the excess would be GBP96/120
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