BA Baggage Policy

A new baggage policy from British Airways that allows passengers only one checked piece of luggage, has put the spotlight on excess baggage charges that sometimes double the price of the fare and that could make holidays for parents with young children cost prohibitive.

British Airways’ new baggage policies comes into effect on 13 February. This means passengers have to pay £240 extra for a return long-haul flight, £120 extra for a short haul flight and £60 extra for a return domestic flight if they use two bags instead of just the one that is allowed.

They will also be reducing the baggage weight allowance from 32kgs to 23kgs, effective from September 2007. Although BA is still more generous with its baggage allowance than the no-frills airlines – and does allow infants to take their own bag – these charges will add significantly to the cost of a holiday, particularly for parents of young children who inevitably have to take extra luggage.

Passengers may be able to escape paying the fee by packing items in bags designed for sports equipment such as those for golf clubs, skis and surboards. BA will still make no charge for checking in one item of sports equipment on top of the baggage allowance.

Infants will be allowed one free checked-in bag plus a collapsable baby buggy and a car seat.

BA said that it would not impose the charges on people who would have difficultly lifting one heavy case and needed to split their weight allowance into two bags. This concession was made after Help the Aged and other charities accused BA of failing to consider the elderly and disabled.

Passengers travelling to America, Canada, the Caribbean, Nigerial, Brazil and Mexico will continue to be allowed to check in two bags.

Excess baggage charged at a fixed fee

12 February 2007