British Airways to charge sporting goods

[Mike]

British Airways could follow the example of low cost carriers and start charging extra for sporting goods including skis and golf clubs this season. :eek:

Willie Walsh, BA's chief executive, revealed this week that this option was being considered as a way of increasing revenue. He blamed the credit crunch and soaring oil prices for forcing BA to look at raising money from "ancillary services".

Currently Ryanair charges £64 extra on a return ticket for sports equipment and EasyJet £50. British Airways hasn't yet fixed a sum, but it could be around £25 :eek:

I hope CX, JAL and others are not following the lead.

[Duckie]

算把喇，BA 就算唔係有 addidtional charge都唔好搭， 不過charge sporting equipment 似乎係大勢所趨:(

[Mike]

British Airways has announced changes to their baggage policy to bring the World Traveller allowance on flights to and from the Americas (USA, Canada, Bermuda, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean) into alignment with the majority of British Airways routes around the world. The new policy will apply to long haul customers who book and travel from 7 October 2009.

Other changes include changes to baggage charges, including a reduction in the charge for the first extra bag on long haul flights.

British Airways will also no longer accept sporting equipment free of charge in addition to the normal free cabin allowance. Sporting equipment that is checked in, in addition to the free allowance will be charged as an extra bag. The new sporting equipment policy will apply to customers who book after 31 July for travel after 7 October.

Quote:
"Sporting equipment :
The changes to our sporting equipment policy will apply to bookings made from 31 July 2009, for customers travelling from 7 October 2009.
Changes to the carriage of sporting equipment
*
Sporting equipment will be included as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
*
If the number of bags exceed your free allowance you will be charged the excess baggage rate for each extra bag.
*
The heavy bag charge £30 ($50) will apply to all bags more than 23kg (51lbs) and up to 32kg (70lbs).
*
All sporting equipment (excluding the not acceptable for carriage list) will be accepted for travel only if they are packed correctly within the maximum weight and reduced maximum dimensions of 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in)."

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/new-baggage-policy/public/en_gb

BA advised that at the moment there are no changes to the Euro traveler/club Europe baggage policy :)