British Airways increase buggage allowance

British Airways passengers on the Accra – London route on Economy class can now carry 46 kilos of checked-in luggage instead of 23 kilos while those in Business class can carry up to 60kilos of checked-in luggage.

The doubling of the baggage allowance on the route has been considered by the Airline’s authorities to streamline baggage allowance policy on some ‘dedicated’ African routes.

The Head of Africa and Europe Affairs of British Airways, Mr. Pat Gaffey disclosed this in an interview with the Graphic in London.

He acknowledged that Nigerian passengers on the Lagos – London route for many years enjoyed 60 kilos of baggage allowance and said “don’t ask me why, it has been a very old policy which I may not be able to explain, but the good news is that our Ghanaian passengers are now going to have their baggage allowance doubled on our flights to and from Accra.”

Mr. Gaffey noted that Ghanaian passengers have exhibited loyalty to the airline and there is no reason why they should not enjoy the airline’s partnership. “With other airlines having increased baggage charges, the extent of our free baggage allowances remains very generous especially to our Ghanaian travellers”. He observed.

He said during the last 12 months alone nearly 50 thousand passengers have travelled on the Accra – London route.

The issues of 23 kilos baggage allowance for British Airways passengers on the Accra – London route has over the years been a source of worry to many a traveller on the route particularly when Nigerian passengers to London enjoy nearly 60 kilos of checked-in luggage on British Airways flight.

Investigations by the Graphic in London have revealed that when British Airways was entering onto the African market some decades ago, it placed Nigeria on the same level as the USA because it is a Federal state. A policy no one can simply explain and since then there has not been any change, while passengers from other African countries like Ghana got only 23 kilos.

He said in recognition with UK health and safety rules the 46kg must be in two pieces. “We understand that there are times when one will need to exceed this limit. Therefore, from now, a flat fee of £25 GBP will be applied to bags weighing more than 23kg (51lbs). This charge is to cover the additional handling that bags weighing over 23kg (51lbs) can attract.” He noted.

He said the airline will not accept a bag heavier than 32kg (70lbs) as checked baggage. However, he noted, “On routes where the baggage allowance is one bag, we will continue to allow passengers with reduced mobility to carry 2 bags up to a total of 23kg (51lbs).”

Mr Gaffey also noted that wheelchairs will be accepted for carriage irrespective of weight, but for wheelchairs that weigh over 32kg (70lbs) the passenger must notify British Airways at time of booking, or a minimum of 24 hours before departure.

According to him, musical instruments, TV news cameras and commercial spares are exempted from this rule but if a passenger is travelling with one of these items, and t weighs between 32kg (70lbs) and 45kg (99lbs) and cannot be broken down to smaller items; it will be treated as two pieces of checked baggage.

“Any item weighing more than 45kg (99lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage and will need to be transported as unaccompanied baggage. You can pre-arrange this through British Airways World Cargo or contact your local freight company and if you are travelling with any of these items, please notify us at the time of booking, or at a minimum of 24 hours before departure.” He added.

Mr Gaffey hinted that the airline is introducing some modifications to improve consistency in the baggage rules and try to encourage a reduction in overall hold baggage weight, which will reduce fuel burn and emissions. And it will also continue to press the UK Department for Transport to remove the one-bag restriction for hand luggage.

This according to him, would reduce the volume of checked-in baggage and help to speed up airport processes.