Got 2 bags? It'll cost you at British Airways

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

On the eve of Valentine's Day, British Airways will institute changes in baggage procedures, but travelers won't be feeling the love.

On its Web site, the airline details a new, "simpler" policy aimed to creating "the best possible airport experience before you fly."

The changes?

British Airways will begin limiting some of its long haul passengers to a single bag per passenger — and charging them 120 pounds ($236) per flight for every extra piece of luggage each way, the company said Thursday.

The change applies to passengers flying economy class to destinations outside North America, the Caribbean, Nigeria and Brazil. While passengers to destinations such as Europe and Asia were previously allowed as many bags as they wished, they would now be limited to one bag — and charged for the excess.

Domestic passengers would be charged 30 pounds ($59) for every bag beyond the first, while the price for extra bags taken to Europe would rise to 60 pounds ($118).

“This whole thing is about simplifying the excess baggage charge system, which only two percent of people paid anyway,” British Airways spokesman Paul Marston said. Passengers were previously charged various rates per excess kilogram, and Marston said that many would actually end up paying less under the new system.

Those with special needs may have extra charges waived at the discretion of check-in staff, he said.

Club World, World Traveller, and first class passengers would still be allowed to check in more than one bag. BA said it would offer a 30 percent discount to customers who prepay online.

The changes don't come as a total surprise to industry experts.

Last August, Tripso columnist and MSNBC.com contributor Charlie Leocha wrote a story predicting a similar change.

Mr. Leocha wrote:

Some industry analysts say that domestic airlines handle as much in luggage weight as they do in passenger weight, and the Transportation Security Administration reports that more than 50 percent of its $6-something billion budget goes to baggage screening.

Clearly, there’s money to be saved — and made — if the airlines can reduce checked baggage and charge extra for it at the same time. As “debundlings” go, luggage may prove more profitable than the late lamented in-flight meal.

Change is coming. The discussions are well along; in fact, luggage changes have been bandied about in boardrooms and revenue maximization meetings since the mid-1990s. The airline world is just waiting for the major airline with the most courage to take the first step. My guess is that all the legacy carriers will follow suit almost immediately, at least for domestic flights.

Air Canada, which moved more than 400,000 tons of checked baggage last year, is already testing online “Go Discount” fares, which offer added discounts to passengers who promise not to check their luggage or change their travel dates. Ryanair, in Europe, has been charging for checked luggage for years, and some passengers pay as much to bring their luggage as they do for their airline ticket.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17046459/?GT1=9033

[Robor007 0]

Ugh, I hope other carriers don't follow this plan. I had a 50lb limit on my bags on my American Airlines domestic flight (Tampa to LA) on the way to the Philippines last time. The Cathay Pacific flight from LA to Hong Kong then Manila was a 70lb limit but that doesn't help much if the previous flights limit is 50lbs. A 50lb limit isn't so bad when you've got 2 checked bags to divide it up. Having a single bag would be a lot more difficult - especially if you consider bringing things to your spouse and bringing back souvenirs. If some airlines impose this 1 bag limit and others don't I know I'll definitely be leaning toward those that don't.

[sereia 0]

they should allow two per person. one is crazy especially if you were moving somewhere. i wonder if the "special needs" people include people who are moving somewhere.....

[Robor007 0]

they should allow two per person. one is crazy especially if you were moving somewhere. i wonder if the "special needs" people include people who are moving somewhere.....

That's the concern I'm having. I was planning to pack 2 *very* light bags on the way there so I could bring a bunch of my wife's things back with her.

[eric&gen 0]

Philippines airlines is the flight we will be taking next month and this is all they allow?

Maximum of two (2) pieces with a total dimension 107 inches (273 cms) and no piece exceeding 62 inches (158 cms). Each piece should not exceed 32 kilograms (70 lbs)

An infant paying at least 10% of the adult fare is entitled to one piece of checked baggage with a weight of 7 kgs or 15 lbs and the sum of the three dimensions does not exceed 45 inches plus one fully collapsible child's stroller or pushchair.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I almost always fly British when I go to India but if other carriers don't follow suit on this, they'll get my business instead. $236 is ridiculous, I'd pay no more than $50.

[sereia 0]

thank god royal air maroc lets you bring three bags of either 50 or 70lbs.......*knocks on wood that doesn't change by the time my fiancec comes!

i also remember a few years ago traveling through europe on various airlines. when i got on a ryan air flight they said my bags were too heavy and i paid at least $120 extra for it (and the flight was only $50!)

hmmph

Edited February 9, 2007 by abdounjen

[Heracles 417]

I really enjoy the 140 pound limit when flying from AUS to the US but most trips to Europe and Asia, for Australia, have a baggage limit of 50 pounds.. Considering how badly the US airlines are performing, I guess it makes sense to enforce similar baggage limits..

[john_and_marlene 162]

Northwest still allows 70lbs between the U.S. and the Philippines. Unfortunately we did too much shopping while we were there and came home with 6 bags + 2 fully loaded carry-ons. They charged $220 per extra bag.

For overweight bags they were charging $600.

Edited February 9, 2007 by john_and_marlene

[deathbydalbhat 0]

I always carry a ton to/from Nepal - Gulf Air still has the 2 bag/70 lb limit so no problems on my last trip... I'm bringing lots of gifts for my fiance and his family and books to donate to a monastery so hope I don't have trouble...also I want to bring back lots of stuff for my eBay store - I may just send it back by freight service, if I can find one that is honest and reliable. I heard somewhere if you are bringing stuff to donate to charity there is an exemption from the excess baggage rule but am not 100% certain on that.

[Mags 112]

When I flew with Delta, I paid $50 for my extra bag. I thought that was reasonable.

[Anna C. 4]

I paid 60 Euros for my 3rd bag from Frankfurt to Charlotte with US Airways. (translated into $80, no fees with Amex) The bag weighed 26kg but the limit is 23kg (50lb), but nobody charged me for that. Note that a 20kg package from Germany to the US will cost 62 Euros, so US Airways was cheaper!!!

Edited February 9, 2007 by Anna C.

[Robor007 0]

Philippines airlines is the flight we will be taking next month and this is all they allow?

Maximum of two (2) pieces with a total dimension 107 inches (273 cms) and no piece exceeding 62 inches (158 cms). Each piece should not exceed 32 kilograms (70 lbs)

An infant paying at least 10% of the adult fare is entitled to one piece of checked baggage with a weight of 7 kgs or 15 lbs and the sum of the three dimensions does not exceed 45 inches plus one fully collapsible child's stroller or pushchair.

I don't think that's unreasonable at all. I wish I could travel with 2 bags up to 70 lbs. The problem is someone like me is going to be stuck because my last domestic flight (American Airlines through Cathay Pacific) from Tampa, FL to Los Angeles, CA has a limit of 2 bags totaling no more than 50 lbs. When I start shopping for my flight for my wife's interview I'm going to check with other carriers and see if they have a higher limit for bags on flights within the US.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Not sure why but my wife packs heavy to and from Thailand. It appears to be the same stuff but I'm a guy so I'm probably wrong.

[Fandango 1,439]

Not sure why but my wife packs heavy to and from Thailand. It appears to be the same stuff but I'm a guy so I'm probably wrong.

Yes, you are....now go sit in the corner