 Poster: A snowHead
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Just had this from BA groups dept.
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 customers who book and travel from 7 October 2009.
The changed allowances reflect customer behaviour on those routes – currently the vast majority of customers currently travel with only one bag.
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.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Cheers Wayne, that make a difference. At least it's only the americas for now
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| nbt wrote: |
| Cheers Wayne, that make a difference. .... |
You're not kidding.
| Quote: |
Charges per additional bag up to 23kg (51lbs)
Longhaul
£90 per bag (airport) |
Though apparently there is a discount for paying in advance.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Surely they will have a special fee for sporting equipment though, and not just charge excess baggage?! Otherwise their Geneva fllights will be empty!!
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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From BA Travel Trade web site - Europe
Only one travel case of equipment is permitted at no extra cost except where we state otherwise
I have e mailed them for some sort of confirmation. I "think" the new charge only applies to USA and other places over the pond, not Europe. Will post back when/if I get an answer
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Wayne, US ski industry not going to be happy about that!! Will let my mate who works in marketing for a big resort know, he'll be fuming!
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Wayne, actually the way i read that it's only the first para that applies to US, the rest of it is across the board...
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Yeah i noticed this as i'm moving to canada later this month (and taking my skis) although obviously it won't affect me as it's before October.
Will it really have any impact on anyone? Given that the standard luggage allowance is 2 cases when going long haul, and that you can substitute one case for your skis and boots i don't think it should really cause much hassle. And if it does you should really look at why you are taking 2 case loads of stuff + skis to go on holiday for a couple of weeks!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Dangerous strategy - BA totally undermining the leisure travel market pricing model on many long haul routes. Chasing the market down to lowest industry standards isn't going to help business pick up - it was always one of the ways they distinguished themsleves from sleazyjet etc.
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Confusing.
| 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). |
This appears to conflict with the advice Wayne was given - as I read it a ski bag less than 190cm in length goes free - provided that the weigh of it and your checked-in bag does not exceed the free baggage allowance.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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DrE, don't think you read the full thing - they're abolishing the 2 bag rule. And 2 bags longhaul was standard for N. American flights only, not for the rest of the world.
So now (in economy) wherever you fly in the world with BA you are only allowed one bag, and for sporting equipment you'll have to pay for a whole extra bag, rather than a "ski carriage" charge which on other airlines is normally around £30 return. Currently if you paid for this at the airport it would be an extra £180 on a return flight for ski carriage, or if booked online in advance (from memory) about £140. That's a heck of a lot on top of a flight!!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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achilles, I read it same as Wayne, I think that means they'll ONLY accept sporting equipment if the bag is less than 190cms long, but it'll be included in your free bag allowance (which is now one bag!!!)
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I booked a BA flight to Venice for next March as Easyjet was £130 with ski carrage BA was £95 inclusive and I'm glad I booked my flight in May 
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You know it makes sense.
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The way I read it is that ski/board counts as one of your allowed checked bags. 2 bags to US/Canada, 1 to EU. So 1 bag + 1 set of skis costs £28 to EU or nothing to US/Canada so long as both are below 23kg. Good luck getting a bag with built in ski-boot section and all your clothes+kit below 23kg. Or pay for business class 
edit 240cm x 75cm x 65cm should be enough for skis/board, and it's a bit vague as to whether ski/board bag and boot bag counts as 1 or 2 items.
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagsport/public/en_gb
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Just looked on the website, and as andy, says they're bringing the booked in advance charge down to £28 for the first extra bag (assuming that's each way). Plus another £40 each way (or £30 each way for your overweight main luggage bag!) if you want to take your boots too!
Will definitely be writing to BA to tell them how crazy this policy is, I suspect it makes easyjet and even Ryanair the more attractive option for skiers again, they must be rubbing their hands in glee!
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Poster: A snowHead
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As clear as mud as usual.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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andy,
I think that's the old size. From the BA website here:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/new-baggage-policy/public/en_gb
"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)."
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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someone needs to remind BA that short skis suck and long skis truck 
anyway, seems you just need to get a big ski bag which will fit your boots and other junk then put the rest in hand luggage. so not the end of the world
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Arno, actually BA do have a 2 hand baggage allowance, so i suppose that's something! not sure i could fit all my ski gear in my weekend bag though 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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apologies beanie1, to be honest i hadn't read it as i booked my tickets before July so old rules apply for me, and I assumed that the new rule was that sporting equipment was now carried as part of your allowance instead of in addition to it - i'm actually astounded that they have in addtion reduced long haul baggae to one bag, that's nuts! i guess it'll be mass defection to virgin? what's their policy like?
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Helen Beaumont, definitely. My first rule of checking anything in is print everything out and be prepared for an argument at check in. The more "no frills" the airline is, the more important it is to do so.
beanie1, yep you're right about the new sizes.
Didn't see anything anywhere that stated per leg, per direction or per return journey.
Glad I only need to drive or hop on a train to find snow.
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I'm a bit gutted about this actually, as i have a return flight from HK to use (which i'm planning to go skiing with) at some point this winter. Although ive already bought the flight, i'll have to change the date of it so assuming new rules will apply. Looks like it'll be Cathay in future then!! (assuming they have free ski carriage?!)
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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andy, at least I can hop onto whatever transport to France I please, and get my skis out of the cellar when I arrive.
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I see they have cancelled their London City to Lyon route as well. Clearly the skiing market isn't a big earner for them, or soon won't be.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The Ski Rental Shops should be laughing at this !!!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I've used BA for my bi-annual Calgary commute for the last few years because for £500ish (when their summer sale happens), I could get myself, two bags, a ski bag, a boot bag, and then two bits of hand luggage on with no hassle. Then last year they dropped to 23kg a bag and an excess (iirc £25 a bag?) to go to 32 - that was an back bottom, but I still used them this year. Guess this'll be the last year I bother.
I already have my return flight booked, so just to confirm, I'm alright to take their usual baggage allowance right?
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| Arno wrote: |
someone needs to remind BA that short skis suck and long skis truck
anyway, seems you just need to get a big ski bag which will fit your boots and other junk then put the rest in hand luggage. so not the end of the world |
I can just about do this for a weekender under the baggage limit with a coffin bag - usually needs at least 1 ski boot in the hand luggage to be comfortable on sub 23kg though. Long haul where I might prefer to tak more than 1 pair of skis its a disaster.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I have just sent this to BA groups - will post back the reply.
Hi
Thanks for the e mail this morning regarding the recently introduced “ski carriage” charges.
I have followed the link within your mail and have been taken to the section of the BA Trade Site which refers to European flights, but I have noted from your mail (1st paragraph) that the new charges are specifically applicable to North American destinations. Sorry but I’m a little lost with this as the Trade Section still refers to the free carriage of skis and boots.
Please would you confirm, either way, and without simply providing me with another link to a web page, whether the new charges are applicable to our clients – travelling to European destinations.
As you will appreciate, with the size of our groups, any alteration to the term of carriage would be a considerable extra cost and it may not be possible to justify them to the clients.
Whilst it is always (technically) possible to simply refer the client to our T&C’s, this rarely results in a positive interpretation of the situation, from their point of view.
Sorry to be a pain I really do need an "unambiguous" confirmation stating whether the new charges are application to our European out and in bound flights.
Following on from the recent alterations to the BA uplift schedules, I would not wish to have to write to our clients "again" advising them of yet another BA problem.
Many thanks
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Poster: A snowHead
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beanie1, take a look at the dimensions restrictions - as I read them, in practice it means no skis.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Just recieved - seems it's only long haul
Hi Wayne
We have not been notified at the moment of any changes to the Euro traveler/club Europe baggage policy.
Many Thanks
Jaclyn
Jaclyn Thomas
Groups Co-ordinator
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Wonder if I should cancel my flights... Dec 1st isn't a worry but I'm slightly concerned BA won't be around to fly home in May! Should be able to get a full refund since they just changed my times...
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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[quote="DaveC"]
Last edited by Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do. on Tue 4-08-09 14:44; edited 1 time in total
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Why cant these Airlines just write it in "black & White"? i.e
Free One checked hold bag 23Kg + Free 1 pair ski or snowboard carriage.
or
Free One checked hold bag 23Kg.
1 pair ski or snowboard extra charge.
They must get hundreds of emails every season asking for clarification on there baggage policies !!!!
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stanton, probably because the authors never went through decent English classes during which they would have come across Plain Words and the like.
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| achilles wrote: |
| beanie1, take a look at the dimensions restrictions - as I read them, in practice it means no skis. |
Not with most modern skis, I would have thought.
It isn't that easy to find ski bags that will take skis longer than 180 now, and that size of bag will not be more than the 190cm allowed.
The hard ski cases might not fit the dimensions though.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Wayne, That's from Jaclyn in Groups ... as you well know you are able to agree specific terms with them. Bit unfair to add to the (understandable) confusion on here with specific responses to yourself as a 'Groups Customer ( with specific unpublished agreements)' --NO?
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alex_heney, depends how you read it. In beanie1's link under sporting equipment
| Quote: |
* One pair of skis, one pair of ski poles, one pair of boots..........
If over the free Checked Baggage Allowance, equipment will be assessed at a special excess baggage rate equivalent to 3kg (6.6lbs) of the applicable excess baggage rate. |
The Checked Baggage Allowance tells us
And Note 7 says
| Quote: |
| length + height + width, in any combination. |
Don't know about your skis, mine are 178cm long - so I would have to pay excess. If I have read everything correctly, of course. I am trying to wrap up work at the moment - so I haven't double checked everything, though.
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FAQ
