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BA scraps free ski carriage
Thursday August 13, 2009 - Email this article to a friend
Skis, snowboards and boots will no long be carried for free and their weight will be included in the 23kg baggage allowance.
British Airways has announced that it will not be charging directly for skis, like the no-frills airlines, but the equipment will now have to come in the free luggage allowance.
It means many skiers and boarders will have to pay to transport their equipment given their weight and also the associated clothing and equipment needed on a ski or snowboarding trip.
In the past you could pack extra clothes and equipment into the ski bag too.
They have also spotted a loop hole that some thought they could exploit by purchasing a ski bag designed to carry 2 pairs of skis and then packing as much as you can into the bag taking the weight to 23kg and carrying you boots as hand luggage.
BA has limited the size of the one bag you can take for free. See here for the full details of the changes.
The cash-strapped airline is in severe financial difficulties, as we reported earlier, and has undertaken a review of all its luggage charges and other overheads.
Alot of gear required"Sporting equipment will now be included as part of the customer's free checked baggage allowance on all bookings on or after October 7 2009. Any bag that exceeds the free allowance will incur an excess baggage fee," said a spokeswoman for the airline.
"Most other airlines already charge for sporting goods. These are unprecedented economic times and we believe this can generate revenue for British Airways and help us return to profitability."
To take your skis/snowboard in Europe will cost £28 if booked on line or £35 at the check-in desk.
For North America it is £23 and £42 respectively.
It is yet another charge to factor in to the cost of a ski trip and it will probably mean some people will consider renting their equipment in the resort instead.
There are already good reasons for doing so as the equipment is good, the servicing is taken care of and it is awkward to carry skis and snowboards.
With BA now there is the extra cost too.
Our general advice at PlanetSKI is buy your own boots, but rent your skis.
Otherwsie fly with Swiss who runs similar routes, at equivalent prices and still allows skis and snowboards on for free.
Is BA right to charge for transporting skis and snowboards?PlanetSKI reserves the right to edit any comments. In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
I do lots of flying for work and skiing, every ten days, or, so.
BA was a carrier of choice but seems to be going downhill (apt term on this website!). BA have just killed the London City/Gatwick-Barcelona route this winter, which is a real pain for me. I loathe Heathrow. It is totally inconvenient.
The thing is, I was never getting a very cheap flight with BA in any case! But figured as I could use the lounge (my own cards), got a tea/sandwich, could talk to a human if needed in customer services, it was worthwhile.
BA seems lost. It wants to be quality and charge proper prices but be cheapskate on service. Surprise, us customers/passengers, do actually notice!
Because of BAs penny pinching I am doing Ryanair in a few weeks, haven't caught that airline for maybe five years.
BA wake up and don't scare your loyal fans away. Short term savings will result in long term passenger migration to other airlines.
Xavier Adam, Tarragona, Catalunya
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