NEW YORK, June 13, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- British Airways is to introduce changes to its baggage policy to make it easier for air travelers, and to reduce queues at airports.
The new guidelines will mean changes to hand, checked and excess baggage allowances and will be phased in from early July across the airline's global network.
Robin Hayes, Executive Vice President, The Americas, said: "Making the airport experience simpler and speedier for our customers is one of our key corporate objectives. We have created new policies which are easier to understand and will reduce queuing time at airports."
Changes to the amount of hand baggage air travelers can carry on board British Airways' aircraft will be introduced from July 5, 2006. All passengers will be able to carry one standard-sized bag and one briefcase, laptop computer bag or equivalent on all flights.
The maximum size of the bag must comply with UK Department for Transport, BAA and International Air Transport Association requirements (56cm x 45cm x 25cm or 22in x 18in x 10in). Weight restrictions will be removed for hand baggage, but flyers must be able to lift their bag unaided into the overhead lockers of the aircraft. The briefcase, laptop computer bag or equivalent must fit under the seat in front of the passenger.
Most major baggage manufacturers have 'carry on' baggage ranges which fit within these requirements.
Changes to the airline's free checked-in baggage allowances will consolidate two existing policies, which are based on the number of bags or total weight and depend upon route and class of travel.
British Airways will introduce a single allowance system from October 11, 2006, based upon the number of bags that can be checked in. The number of bags that can be checked-in will vary according to the class of travel and route. The maximum weight for any checked bag will be reduced to 23kg, or 50lbs, to comply with health and safety recommendations.
British Airways customers will be able to carry one piece of sporting equipment, such as golf clubs and skis, free of charge in addition to their checked-in baggage allowance.
The airline is also standardizing its excess baggage charges from October 11, 2006. Bags that exceed a customer's free checked-in baggage allowance will be charged at a fixed fee. The charges will apply to all customers and are dependent on journey length. In the majority of cases the new charges will be less than those currently levied by the airline.
As an industry first, the airline is offering its customers the opportunity to pre-pay for their excess baggage on-line before arriving at the departure airport. Those taking advantage of the new scheme will benefit from a 20% discount at the airline's website, www.ba.com
Changes to the carriage of some sporting goods and pets will also be introduced from October 11, 2006. Details of these and all baggage allowances can be found on the airline's website, www.ba.com/baggagepolicy.
Notes to Editors:
The new policies apply to British Airways' mainline services only and do not currently include BA Connect or the airline's franchise partners.
A standard-sized bag measures a maximum of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, or 22in x 18in x 10in.
Gauges will be available at every airport worldwide for customers to measure their hand baggage before proceeding to airport security checks.
New longhaul checked-in baggage allowances:
As exists today, customers traveling to or from the US, Caribbean, Nigeria and Mexico will be able to check in two bags (maximum 23kg or 50lbs each) regardless of cabin they are booked to fly in.
Allowances for customers travelling on all other longhaul routes will be based on a number of bags according to the cabin they are booked to fly in:
First Club World World Traveller World
Plus Traveller
2 bags 2 bags 2 bags 1 bag
Current: 40kg. Current: 30kg. Current: 23kg. Current:23kg.
Increase of 6kg. Increase of 16kg. Increase of 23kg. Remains the
same
New shorthaul checked-in baggage allowances:
Allowances for customers travelling on European and Domestic routes will be based on a number of bags (maximum 23kg each) according to the cabin they are booked to fly in:
Club Europe Euro Traveller Domestic
2 bags 1 bag 1 bag
Current: 30kg. Current: 23kg. Current: 32kg.
Increase of 16kg. Remains the same Reduces by 9kg, but extra
hand baggage allowance
New excess baggage charges:
The new excess baggage charges are very competitive within the airline industry.
If a customer is transferring flights only one charge (based on the longest flight) for the entire journey will apply i.e. the maximum a customer will pay for an excess bag is GBP 120.
Customers may pay on-line at www.ba.com/managemybooking and receive a 20 per cent discount. The service will be available from July12, 2006 for customers travelling on or after October 11, 2006
Intercontinental European Domestic GBP 120 per bag or GBP 60 per bag or GBP 30 per bag or GBP 96 per bag if GBP 48 per bag if GBP 24 per bag if paid on-line paid on-line paid on-line
A definition of sporting equipment can be found on www.ba.com/askba.
The British Airways logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1862