It seems British Airways are changing a few things and making life a tiny bit more complex with boarding and luggage.
British Airways A320 at Heathrow Airport – At risk of luggage and boarding issues – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
Firstly, boarding the aircraft will be slightly different, with the boarding order changed. In the past British Airways Executive Club members could board with premium passengers. This changes, with the new boarding order:
- Those in need of assistance in boarding
- First, Business
- Gold, Silver and Bronze
- Economy Class by Row Number
Hand luggage is being restricted too. It seems that some passengers have been taking liberties with luggage sizes. Whilst 1+1 bags will be allowed aboard, the second bag is changing:
- The main bag can is still limited to 56x45x25cm, and can be weigh up to 23kgs.
- The handbag/laptop size bag has been constrained to 40x30x15cm. This bag should be under the seat in front of you (unless of course, you’re in the front row, an exit row or seats where no luggage on the floor is allowed). This bag will be tagged with a yellow tag and will be guaranteed to go aboard.
- Club World and First are excluded from the yellow tag mania.
There is a risk on flights that are extremely busy that bags that have no yellow tag will be targeted for being gate checked. Those who carry baggage outside the limits will be asked to check the bags in.
The new luggage rules start on the 11th August.
Sadly, this is a problem British Airways has brought on itself since the launch of hand-baggage fare only fares and people are unwilling to part with the cash to put items in the hold.
As flights get busier, overhead bin space becomes more of a premium, airlines will have to look at either upgrading their interiors with features like the Boeing Space Bin and the Airbus Pivot Bin, or restricting baggage sizes.
Or abandon the idea of hand baggage only fares. But then poor airlines will loose precious revenue. And that never looks good on the balance sheet.
In the mean time, start hunting for luggage that meet the new specifications…
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I agree with the HBO fares driving a lot of this. What a pain this will surely become – like everything else it seems.
One pedantic nit – your opening sentence is in error. It should read “It seems British Airways *is* [rather than “are”]…” Despite the second word in the name being plural, references to companies, corporations, etc. are singular (as you have it later in the post). The FT BA board gets this wrong constantly!
Cheers
Hope this helps as boarding with BA is usually a complete mess IME! Was travelling in F out of LHR last month and it was just a free for all at T5B with all kinds of hold ups due to problems with pax as they were boarding and Y,J and F all mixed together in the Priority line.