British Airways will pay a fine in the US after its website failed to make discounted baggage fees available to some passengers booked through agents.
The US Department of Transportation (DoT) said consumers who booked through third-party agents received a “system not responding” message when they attempted to pay baggage fees online.
BA expressed regret but did not admit a violation of fare rules and has accepted a token $40,000 fine – half to be paid immediately and the remainder only if there is a repeat occurrence.
The carrier pointed out that passengers who contacted it were offered refunds or alternative ways to obtain the discount rate.
BA told the US Travel Weekly that it “co-operated fully with the DoT and has adequately resolved its concerns”. The DoT reported the issue came to light in May last year.
An investigation found “a number of consumers who attempted to pay baggage fees at the discounted rates were unable to do so”.