BA backs down on £240 bag charges

Those flying long haul in economy class and checking in two or more bags were due to be charged £120 each way under rules announced last week.

Read more... • BA to charge £240 for checking in more than one bag

• Today's news headlines

Sign up for the latest news alerts

But on the day the tariff was introduced, those stowing more than one bag in the hold were spared the extra charge.

BA said it was being ' sympathetic' to customers confused by the new regime - but stressed that the charges would still stand.

'Clearly if someone turns up with two bags that are way over the weight limit, they will have to pay the excess.

'We have not dropped the policy,' a spokesman said. 'We are showing flexibility and being sympathetic to our customers who may be confused at this early stage.'

Some passengers who had carefully scaled down their luggage to meet the new rules seemed even more confused at check-in yesterday.

From September 30, those in economy will be limited to just one bag of no more than 23kg in weight. Until then, the limit will be one bag of 32kg.

The charge for economy passengers who check more than one bag into the plane's hold will be £120 on short-haul return flights and £60 on domestic returns.

BA insisted it was simplifying its baggage- check rules and said most passengers would be better off under the revised system.

The spokesman said: 'In the vast majority of instances, the new policy will be cheaper or comparable for customers who wish to fly with excess baggage on top of their free allowances.'

Economy passengers will in fact generally be the losers under the system while business and first- class passengers will be better off.

On long-haul economy flights, it could be cheaper to buy an extra seat in some instances than to pay the new £240 excess charge.

Passengers flying first and Club (business) class on long-haul flights can check in up to three bags free of charge, with the total weight allowance rising by 29kg and 39kg respectively.

Those flying Club to the Continent can check in two bags free of charge and will see the total weight allowance increased by 16kg.

Infants will be allowed to check in one bag, plus a collapsible baby buggy and a car seat, free of charge in all classes on all routes.

Passengers will be able to carry one piece of sporting equipment on to the plane, as well as stowing one bag in the hold.

This has led experts to suggest that one way around the new rules is for passengers to pack a golf bag with their excess baggage.

There are no changes for passengers on flights to the U.S., Bermuda, Canada, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico. They will still be able to check in two bags, provided they weigh a maximum of 23kg each.

Those in first or Club World class can check three bags.