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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| BA to charge £240 for extra bag | BA to charge £240 for extra bag |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| British Airways is planning to add up to £240 to the cost of a return long-haul flight if passengers want to check in an extra bag. | British Airways is planning to add up to £240 to the cost of a return long-haul flight if passengers want to check in an extra bag. |
| Travellers on shorter international trips will face a bill of £120 and those on domestic journeys, £60. | |
| Analysts said the tactic was a way of the airline covering costs and possibly of smoothing its move to Heathrow's Terminal 5 next year. | |
| But some said it may damage BA's image as a full-service carrier. | But some said it may damage BA's image as a full-service carrier. |
| 'Simpler' | 'Simpler' |
| Until now customers have been allowed to check in more than one bag as long as they did not go over weight restrictions. | Until now customers have been allowed to check in more than one bag as long as they did not go over weight restrictions. |
| They obviously see it as a way to actually make some more money out of carrying additional baggage John Strickland, independent air travel consultant | |
| The fees, which come in from Tuesday 13 February, will apply even if the combined weight of the two bags is below the allowance. | |
| However passengers will be able to carry one piece of sporting equipment free of charge. | |
| In a statement on its website, BA said the new system aimed for a "single allowance system based on the number of bags that can be checked in". | In a statement on its website, BA said the new system aimed for a "single allowance system based on the number of bags that can be checked in". |
| "Our vision for London Heathrow Terminal 5 is to create the best possible airport experience before you fly," it said. | "Our vision for London Heathrow Terminal 5 is to create the best possible airport experience before you fly," it said. |
| "With this in mind we have announced a new simpler checked and excess baggage policy." | "With this in mind we have announced a new simpler checked and excess baggage policy." |
| Passengers will get a discount by pay in advance via the internet. | Passengers will get a discount by pay in advance via the internet. |
| The extra charge will be £168, £84 and £42 for return long-haul, short-haul and domestic flights when booked on line, up until 30 September. | The extra charge will be £168, £84 and £42 for return long-haul, short-haul and domestic flights when booked on line, up until 30 September. |
| BA said that flights to America, Canada, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico would be exempt from the new charges to bring policy "in line with the local government regulations". | BA said that flights to America, Canada, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico would be exempt from the new charges to bring policy "in line with the local government regulations". |
| Surprise | |
| Independent air transport consultant John Strickland told the BBC he was surprised by the move. | |
| "In some ways they are taking a leaf out of a low-cost airline's book by charging," he said. | |
| "They obviously see it as a way to actually make some more money out of carrying additional baggage rather than carrying it as a cost and taking up sport but it's a risk and it may backfire. | |
| "They are seen as a full service airline and certainly not as a low cost carrier." | |
| The move has already provoked outrage form consumer groups. | |
| A spokesman for Help the Aged told the Daily Telegraph the issue it raised "serious issues" for older travellers. | |
| "For many older people it is important that they can travel independently," he said. | |
| "But many will not be able to manage one bag." | |
| Budget airlines such as Ryanair already charge passengers for carrying any check-in luggage at all. |