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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| BA to charge £240 for extra bag | BA to charge £240 for extra bag |
| (about 2 hours 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. | 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. | 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 | 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. | 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. | 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 | Surprise |
| Independent air transport consultant John Strickland told the BBC he was surprised by the move. | 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. | "In some ways they are taking a leaf out of a low-cost airline's book by charging," he said. |
| "They are seen as a full service airline and certainly not as a low cost carrier." | "They are seen as a full service airline and certainly not as a low cost carrier." |
| The move has already provoked outrage from consumer groups. | |
| A spokesman for Help the Aged told the Daily Telegraph the issue raised "serious issues" for older travellers. | |
| "For many older people it is important that they can travel independently," he said. | "For many older people it is important that they can travel independently," he said. |
| "But many will not be able to manage one bag." | "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. | Budget airlines such as Ryanair already charge passengers for carrying any check-in luggage at all. |