Why are some countries exempt from British Airways’ draconian baggage rules?
First time here? Check out the site's "greatest hits" or read a random post from the archives. Feel free to ask a question, and consider subscribing to the latest posts via RSS or e-mail. Thanks for visiting!
After updating yesterday’s post regarding British Airways’ absurdly expensive surcharges for checking a second piece of luggage, one item in the fine print stuck with me. It was the exemption:
“World Traveller customers travelling / connecting to or from the US, Canada, Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico will continue to be allowed two checked bags in line with the local government regulations.†(emphasis added)
I did a search for the American regulations, so I checked the rules at the FAA, FTC, and TSA. I couldn’t find anything mandating the inalienable right to two suitcases on flights to or from the United States.
After all, Spirit Airlines just instituted a rule that a second suitcase would cost you $10 extra. So I don’t think there’s anything on the books here in the U.S.
So what is going on? I suspect that British Airways is using the guise of government regulation to create this exemption, given the amount of competition on routes to the United States. Once word gets out, passengers who travel with two bags would be loath to book with BA if Virgin, American, or United will happily take two bags.
In fact, this may largely be the “Virgin exception.” Virgin Atlantic flies to the US and the Caribbean, while Virgin Nigeria flies to Nigeria (obviously). Virgin still permits two free checked bags. To Brazil and Mexico, maybe there’s another carrier that BA is really trying to hold off.
In any case, I call BS on the “local government regulations” line. Corrections are welcome.
(image)
RSS Feed / Subscribe
Subscribe to Posts by Email
February 9th, 2007 at 7:41 pm |
I’m flying back from Melbourne with Qantas/B.A. to Hong Kong - London - Amsterdam in March and your post worried me. I’ve stayed here for four months and I’ve got more than one bag to check in, to be able to carry stuff easier. I still have less than 20 kg (the Qantas limit) on me.
BA tried to clear things up, but I’m not too confident they won’t charge me a ridiculous amount of money anyway, once I arrive in London to cross the channel to Amsterdam. Because it’s clear I LOOK as if I could “manage comfortably carrying” everything in one bag…
But I arrived here with three (small) check in bags and am planning to leave with them. Tsss.
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/flightops/public/en_gb?p_faqid=2515
“British Airways has absolutely no intention of discriminating against passengers who cannot comfortably carry a 23kg bag. Where it is clear that a passenger cannot manage one bag, we will let them check in an additional bag (or more) provided the total weight is within the 23 kg limit.”
February 12th, 2007 at 3:02 pm |
Roz:
Since you’ve been in Australia for four months, and the new policy was announced after you started your trip, you may be able to talk your way out of the multiple-checked-luggage fee.
Alternatively, since your flight starts with Qantas, and I assume you’ll be checking your bags with Qantas all the way through to Amsterdam, you may be able to avoid paying the fee by avoiding interaction with British Airways check-in staff altogether.
Let us know how it works out, or if you learn anything in the interim. Good luck!