British Airways denounced press reports that it has backed down on the introduction of charges for a second checked-in bag this week as “complete rubbish”.
It introduced charges on economy passengers of up to £240 on Tuesday, days after chief executive Willie Walsh apologised for “testing the loyalty” of customers.
The airline said the move was “to simplify” charges and would only apply to 2% of passengers – 720,000 a year.
Until now passengers have been able to check in a second bag without charge, provided they did not exceed weight restrictions.
BA said those “who cannot comfortably carry a 23kg bag” will be allowed to check in a second item at the discretion of check-in staff. A spokesman said passengers with two items weighing under 23kg or one bag just over the maximum would be “treated sympathetically” for now.
Advantage business travel director Norman Gage said: “It’s Michael O’Leary syndrome – charge for everything. BA obviously has not learned.” However, Brian Potter, air convenor for the Scottish Passenger Agents Association, said: “The charges are not that bad, but it is confusing.”
Economy passengers checking in a second bag are now charged £30 each way on domestic flights, £60 on European and £120 on most long haul. Passengers to the US, Canada, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico will still be able to check in two items due to local regulations
BA has also cut the baggage allowance on domestic services from 32kg to 23kg.
No bags weighing more than 23kg will be accepted from October. Anyone with overweight luggage will have to buy an additional bag and pay the extra charge.
However, premium passengers now enjoy enhanced allowances. First and Club World long-haul flyers are allowed three bags of up to 23kg each, and World Traveller and Club Europe clients can have two.
– Read the Travel Weekly Blog’s roundup of what commentators said about the BA second bag charge