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BA chief: It's time to charge for sports kit
Benedict Moore-Bridger25.09.08
British Airways could soon start charging passengers for extra luggage and meal upgrades in a bid to generate income in the global economic crisis.
The airline's passengers currently do not have to pay to take items such as skis and golf clubs on BA planes.
But in an effort to increase revenue, BA chief executive Willie Walsh said it could copy low-cost carriers and start charging up to £25 for "extras".
He said the credit crunch and soaringoil prices meant BA was being forced to look at raising money from "ancillary services". Speaking at the World Low Cost Airlines conference in London, he said BA was investigating charging passengers extra for an "upgraded" meal option.
He said BA would not begin charging for baggage, but paying for sporting equipment - which is currently free - is "under review".
Mr Walsh said: "I think we are only scratching the surface at BA regarding ancillary services.
"If other people pay £25 to check in their golf bags and skis with another airline and are surprised it's free on BA, then perhaps it is something we too should be charging for.
"If it is not appreciated by customers, it should be reviewed."
Betony Garner, spokeswoman for the Ski Club of Great Britain, said: "The fact that British Airways doesn't charge for skis is one of its biggest selling points among skiers. This is not great news. The extra charge would make holidays more expensive for the many people who own their own skis and boots.
"It would encourage skiers to use Swiss Airlines, the only other airline which doesn't charge skiers for taking their equipment with them.
"We may also see more holiday goers taking the Eurostar trains which go directly to some French resorts instead of British Airways."
Mr Walsh praised his rival, Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary, for "setting the trend" and forcing the industry to cut costs, but insisted BA would not become a no-frills airline.
The carrier is seeking a merger with American Airlines, which already charges for alcoholic drinks, snacks, sandwiches and checked bags.
The conference heard from other airline bosses who also warned that passengers could increasingly find themselves paying for things they previously had taken for granted, such as priority boarding, extra leg room, alcoholic drinks, water, snacks and meals.
Reader views (21)
oh well, so much for the last good reason to fly BA. it's easy to see, mr walsh. if you start to charge for sporting equipment, you lose that leisure market to the low cost airlines.
- Fred, london, uk
We don't fly often as we usually holiday in the UK for environmental reasons and we can keep our dog with us.
However, the last time we flew with BA (to Madeira), our luggage was damaged on the outward leg. We saw the BA representative at the airport who was extremely apologetic, and were asked to buy whatever luggage we thought was the equivalent value and send the receipt to BA on our return home. We were offered help with getting to the store in Funchal. We did this, and BA sent a cheque by return. We were honest in the suitcase we chose, but BA made no attempt to query or argue the cost. While a mistake had been made (whether by BA or others), BA's whole response was absolutely perfect - all businesses (including my own) make mistakes - it's how they subsequently manage them that is important and I could not fault BA in any way, and can only praise the service we received from it's staff and agent. In contrast, when we flew to Athens with EasyJet, the return flight was delayed for c. five hours, but we had no idea what was happening as Easy Jet had no representation at the airport. The difference in standards was huge. Budget airlines are (a bit) cheaper, but how they cope with failure is very poor, as they do not have the staff (and therefore costs, which ultimately do have to be recovered) to cope.
You pays your money and takes your choice, but on my (limited) experience, unless they were wildly more expensive, I would pick BA over a budget carrier any day.
- Russel Grimshaw, Cheltenham, England
Well we have to up the price somehow! How'd you think i'm going to get my bonus next year! I've already spent the fuel surcharge!
- Ba Employee (Highly Paid), Somewhere in Surrey
Well done Walsh! Give me the final excuse never to fly the world's hopeless airline again. You have managed to cock up every single flight when I have had the misfortune of using BA.
- Gareth, Farnborough, Hampshire
Everything about BA already is "no frills" except the price. Like so many things in the UK these days, BA seems to be in denial as they stare into the abyss. Also, when did the UK begin to think that they matched the rest of the world on "service" levels to customers? Throughout the UK the service and honesty from companies, etc is woefully lacking when compared to the rest of the world. World's favourite airline? Only in your mind.
- Kr, Cap Ferrat France
What I have never understood is why passengers are given a travel allowance for their luggage but are allowed to be as fat or overweight as they like. Surely, the time must come when scales are introduced for passengers and luggage to be weighed together. This would solve the obeisity problem in air travellers at the same time as reducing fuel consumpion. I suppose I am just fed up with sitting next to the fatties on planes !!!!!
- Michael, London
I've recently travelled EasyJet to Europe I normally fly BA and guess what...no delays and more importantly, no lost luggage. I'm sick of the hassle of flying with BA not to mention the rudeness and general lack of customer service. I'd fly EasyJet over BA any day. My last return trip with EasyJet was by far the most pleasant flight I've had in a very long time and the cabin crew were great.
- Sharon, London
thats right, in times of recession, start charging more!
- Amadam, Shropshire
Well that will the only reason to still fly BA gone.....
- Mark, London
I take it all 2012 international Olympic teams will now be looking for another carrier.
- Jimbob, Kensington
I fully support charging. I get very annoyed seeing passengers checking in free golf-clubs etc when I am limited to 20 kilos.
On many BA flights, the meal/snack is superfluous. I don't normally eat at 11 o'clock in the morning, so why should BA feed me then? Their seat allocation wins every time over the free-for-all chaos of Easyjet.
- David Chown, bordeaux france
Good, charge us more - I don't want an easyjet with frills, I want a proper carrier with no one holding the plane up while they finish their Fillet-o-Fish meal at McDonalds and if I have to pay more, so be it. Re. that person who complained about the water, did you ask for tap water, or did you deliberately not in order to subsequently complain about it (a lot of planes have a water font near the back).
- St, London
I have no problem with "user-pays" and, frankly, think more of the country should be run this way. BA however run the risk of being an overpriced airline operating a budget service. Why would you pick them over Easyjet / Ryanair who are cheaper? Aside from price, the only other factors to weigh up are baggage loss Vs schedule reliability (ignoring obligatory summer strikes, of course).
Question though, how ethical is it to deny customers free water when there is no other alternative to paying? The last Ryanair flight I was on charged £2.50 for a small bottle, which I thought was a scandal. Even restaurants are required to supply free tap water.
- Rachelle, London, UK.
I was surprised to hear that BA do not already charge for sports equipment.
- Meme, London, UK.
BA could learn a few things from Emirates Air, they are organised, polite, give brilliant service and have the best in flight entertainment system and they don't lose your luggage, I'd rather not say what I think BA should be called.
- Dominik, London, UK.
"If it is not appreciated by customers, it should be reviewed."
If??? Mr Walsh, do you really think customers will appreciate this? Go ahead and try and I think you'll find that customers show their appreciation by booking with another airline.
- We, Kent, UK
Travelling economy on BA around Europe often there are no meals: only a snack which is now cold, sometimes damp sandwiches. I remember fondly when a meal was a meal on BA. As a previous post stated "... there is a recession and BA needs to offer incentives for us to travel with them ...".
- Mike, London, UK.
Oh no you won't British Airways! Forget it!! Hallo, there is a RECESSION. In a recession purses are light and incentive is low. Sooooo? What you will do BA is REDUCE your ticket costs and cut increases totally and offer INCENTIVES instead. Capito???????
- Wq (Ex-Pat), Frankfurt, Germany
Does this mean that BA will no longer be the world's favourite airline?
- Matthew, london
What's a BA "meal upgrade" ? Can I have a discount for declining the BA meal altogether?
- Marianne, S W France
This is the another way to generate profits & not caring for the loyal customer.It has shown that BA is like any other carrier making no difference.
- Himayun, Leeds
