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I heard a rumour today from a BA staff member that they’re going to start charging for large cabin bags soon. Anyone else heard this?
The EU wants to introduce standardisation for cabin bags, with a free allowance. Would apply to all flights to and from EU.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20250627-the-big-change-affecting-european-travel
It can only be a good thing if BA starts to charge for the ludicrous quantity and size of bags people bring on board which is highly anti social and selfish as it clogs up security, creates unnecessary risks on escalators and greatly delays boarding.
And are you seriously saying that BA should charge for cabin bags due to elevator safety? 😀
I’m not sure bigger cabin bags clog up security either cos the people leaving the 500ml bottles in the big bags will just leave them in the small bags instead 🙂
No particular restrictions on cabin bags is pretty much the only meaningful advantage that BA has over the low costs, if they get rid of that what are you actually getting on BA for 2/3/4 times the price of ryanair?
It can only be a good thing if BA starts to charge for the ludicrous quantity and size of bags people bring on board which is highly anti social and selfish as it clogs up security, creates unnecessary risks on escalators and greatly delays boarding.
And are you seriously saying that BA should charge for cabin bags due to elevator safety? 😀
I’m not sure bigger cabin bags clog up security either cos the people leaving the 500ml bottles in the big bags will just leave them in the small bags instead 🙂
No particular restrictions on cabin bags is pretty much the only meaningful advantage that BA has over the low costs, if they get rid of that what are you actually getting on BA for 2/3/4 times the price of ryanair?
A tiny bottle of water and a teeny tiny cake from what I can remember last time I was in ET, which really won’t cut it for most people, who will probably then flood to LCC’s I guess.
I also don’t really see what BA charging for cabin bags or not has to do with people who can’t cope with their bags on the elevators – puzzled face.
@slidey – nothing to do with liquids, but security is slowed down by people pushing their luck taking too much hand luggage through screening which either might get confiscated (which should have been done upstream and charged if appropriate than than free + priority boarding at gate as a reward for being selfish) but if not confiscated will likely delay boarding. It’s often the ‘small’ bag that’s the issue. You see people struggling in the airport and in short haul aisles with more luggage than they can properly manage, plus too much baggage on the escalator is highly dangerous and causes daily incidents.
As for BA vs LCCs, they are BA’s real competition on short-haul which is a real problem for BA so they will look and behave more and more like them to survive. The preference for many to use Heathrow, avoidance of LCC scrums, the name and products like Club will continue to make BA a more attractive option.
@Misty – the escalator issue and security issue which precedes boarding delays is part of the same problem that needs to be addressed upstream, at checkin or just before security. It would simplify procedures at the gate, speed up security and boarding as well as creating a safer environment for the selfish passengers and everyone else. We wouldn’t have those people struggling to get their bags down the aisle and those who travel in the expectation that someone will help with their excessive clobber if only to stop the blocking of the aisle.
It would of course be much better if people were less self-centred, more compliant/responsible as they often are in other jurisdictions, but unfortunately it’s a problem and those taking advantage have given BA a prime opportunity to monetise that problem. Bravo.
As for BA vs LCCs, they are BA’s real competition on short-haul which is a real problem for BA so they will look and behave more and more like them to survive.
It’s notes such as this that just want me to share a calvados & a pear crumble with you and pick your brain. I’m truly interested in what you think the legacy carrier (+non-legacy airlines acquired along the way) short-haul market will look like 10-15 years from now.
Non-so offtopic: Currently in the ramp at HAM, KL flight (already delayed incoming to AMS from BCN) knowing the majority of UK Cityhopper connections will not make it. The excess baggage and lack of proper ground crew enforcement of the rules adds an extra +20min to this mess.
@slidey – nothing to do with liquids, but security is slowed down by people pushing their luck taking too much hand luggage through screening which either might get confiscated (which should have been done upstream and charged if appropriate than than free + priority boarding at gate as a reward for being selfish) but if not confiscated will likely delay boarding. It’s often the ‘small’ bag that’s the issue. You see people struggling in the airport and in short haul aisles with more luggage than they can properly manage, plus too much baggage on the escalator is highly dangerous and causes daily incidents.
As for BA vs LCCs, they are BA’s real competition on short-haul which is a real problem for BA so they will look and behave more and more like them to survive. The preference for many to use Heathrow, avoidance of LCC scrums, the name and products like Club will continue to make BA a more attractive option.
Referring to the last sentence… the irony clearly not being lost on anyone here of the major troubles Heathrow seem to constantly be having with timely baggage delivery, particularly at T5 (I.e. BA’s “home”).
Hardly an incentive to check in any baggage with BA upstream. Yes you can blame the other party, but at the end of the day the average Joe will conflate the two parties and not want to stand around for 2 hours at the carousel as I have done twice in the past 3 months.
I really don’t think there is a preference to use Heathrow. There just isn’t much of a choice when flying BA to most countries in Europe.
As soon as BA get rid of free hand baggage, I really don’t see who would be incentivised to fly ET unless it is purely down to price.
A few references to the coat hooks on BA. They can be devilish difficult to pull out , but we manage. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else using them. Cabin crew don’t tell passengers about them and I’m sure most don’t know about them.
On a recent EasyJet trip ( both o/b and I/b)no one was allowed to pass into the gate area until cabin bags were sized in the gauge.
How about BA return to offering everyone hold luggage as standard and return from the race to the bottom with budget airlines. The scrum on boarding in short haul has been akin to the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair for some years now and makes BA much less attractive.
If I’m going on a short haul weekend break then the last thing I want to do is waste time at the baggage carousel, particularly at busy airports.
How about BA return to offering everyone hold luggage as standard and return from the race to the bottom with budget airlines. The scrum on boarding in short haul has been akin to the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair for some years now and makes BA much less attractive.
If I’m going on a short haul weekend break then the last thing I want to do is waste time at the baggage carousel, particularly at busy airports.
It rather depends on how much hand luggage you are taking for said weekend. If you are one of the problem travellers who are creating this mess, then what those people are saying is that their time is far more valuable than anyone else’s so they don’t mind clogging up security and the airport, creating hazards and slowing down boarding at the gate and on the aircraft, often delaying flights for everyone.
The earlier comment about 2 hour delays for bag collection is very extreme. The average wait is absolutely nothing like that, even at congested airports. It’s a very poor excuse for being part of the problem.
Essentially, since a certain % can’t comply with the rules which are difficult to enforce and few think any sort of ‘fair use’ policy applies to them, BA will take a sledgehammer to fix it. It’s the only way to ensure compliance so your weekend may be affected along with everyone else’s.
How about BA return to offering everyone hold luggage as standard and return from the race to the bottom with budget airlines. The scrum on boarding in short haul has been akin to the likes of Easyjet and Ryanair for some years now and makes BA much less attractive.
If I’m going on a short haul weekend break then the last thing I want to do is waste time at the baggage carousel, particularly at busy airports.
It rather depends on how much hand luggage you are taking for said weekend. If you are one of the problem travellers who are creating this mess, then what those people are saying is that their time is far more valuable than anyone else’s so they don’t mind clogging up security and the airport, creating hazards and slowing down boarding at the gate and on the aircraft, often delaying flights for everyone.
The earlier comment about 2 hour delays for bag collection is very extreme. The average wait is absolutely nothing like that, even at congested airports. It’s a very poor excuse for being part of the problem.
Essentially, since a certain % can’t comply with the rules which are difficult to enforce and few think any sort of ‘fair use’ policy applies to them, BA will take a sledgehammer to fix it. It’s the only way to ensure compliance so your weekend may be affected along with everyone else’s.
I never said I was part of the problem in my 2 hour comment… I am short and very pregnant at the moment and cannot carry any luggage very easily, so I am actually part of the solution you’re condoning, as I cannot lift bags in to the overhead lockers. Its very easy to jump to conclusions isn’t it…
I am stating that by Heathrow and BA not getting their houses in order, and long wait times in the T5 baggage hall getting more and more prevelant at Heathrow (whether it be 2 hours or 40 mins it doesn’t really matter – it’s still far too long), you’re never going to incentivise anyone who should check their bags in, to check them in. The whole basis of your argument.
You’re also jumping to conclusions throughout this thread by stating that there are a certain % of people who dont comply. Without stating what this % is (backed up by evidence), you’re just bandying around hearsay and figures with no defence to your argument.
I heard a rumour today from a BA staff member that they’re going to start charging for large cabin bags soon. Anyone else heard this?
The EU wants to introduce standardisation for cabin bags, with a free allowance. Would apply to all flights to and from EU.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20250627-the-big-change-affecting-european-travel
I posted that on the 1st page of this thread and was told there was no chance of it becoming law (which I disagree with).
@redlilly – I really don’t know where you got all those assumptions I allegedly made from! I merely remarked that your two hour wait comment was rather extreme because two hours simply doesn’t even vaguely relate to the average experience. I have no idea whether you are or are not part of the problem.
BA baggage wait times at Heathrow T5 are actually getting shorter rather than longer. You refer to incentivising people to check bags in, but that’s not how it’s going to work to improve compliance.
The percentages don’t matter and are hugely variable by flight, but the fact there’s a problem is very observable at security, at the gate and on board. BA talks about it a lot and are making efforts to limit cabin bags as part of trying to reduce delays. The failure of people to manage their (excess) bags on escalators (or not to take via lifts) has also been reported by others today and is a serious one.
@redlilly you are absolutely right. On my recent trips to Asia my luggage in large international airports comes out ALWAYS first after making it to the luggage area. It is the only place on earth the “priority” tag actually works.
Meanwhile, in LHR or MAD I have waited for 60+ min for my luggage. I once swear I spent more time waiting for my bag than in the plane.
A few references to the coat hooks on BA. They can be devilish difficult to pull out , but we manage. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone else using them. Cabin crew don’t tell passengers about them and I’m sure most don’t know about them.
On a recent EasyJet trip ( both o/b and I/b)no one was allowed to pass into the gate area until cabin bags were sized in the gauge.
Apparently as reported in the press EasyJet ground staff are incentivised to levy the gate bag check fees
@slidey – nothing to do with liquids, but security is slowed down by people pushing their luck taking too much hand luggage through screening which either might get confiscated (which should have been done upstream and charged if appropriate than than free + priority boarding at gate as a reward for being selfish) but if not confiscated will likely delay boarding. It’s often the ‘small’ bag that’s the issue. You see people struggling in the airport and in short haul aisles with more luggage than they can properly manage, plus too much baggage on the escalator is highly dangerous and causes daily incidents.
As for BA vs LCCs, they are BA’s real competition on short-haul which is a real problem for BA so they will look and behave more and more like them to survive. The preference for many to use Heathrow, avoidance of LCC scrums, the name and products like Club will continue to make BA a more attractive option.
If as you say BA will look and behave more and more like the LCC’s then why would anyone fly euro traveller?
selfish passengers
It would of course be much better if people were less self-centred
One suspects the only one who’s self-centred in this scenario is you, seeing as you’re completely unable to exhibit any empathy for those who are unable to carry their worldly possessions in a ziploc bag, and therefore require some form of suitcase to travel shorthaul. In a world where a checked bag is no longer included in the most affordable of fares, you’re the one arguing they should not even be permitted a small wheeled suitcase to travel several hundred or thousand miles across the continent for a length of time unknown to you, for the heinous act of forcing you to linger in an aircraft aisle for an extra few moments.
I, like most here, fly regularly, and almost exclusively with BA. I’ve never once found myself taking issue with someone spending a little extra time stowing their luggage, nor have I ever found departure to be delayed because of this.
And yes, while you’re right that 1hr+ wait times for baggage are not a regular occurrence, they’re not exactly uncommon either, and there are multiple occasions in the past few years where I recall waiting 1hr+ for bags. Sometimes I’ve waited longer for bags than I spent on board.
As for your comments about security delays and escalator safety – ludicrous. The delays come from having to remove electronics, or from secondary searches, which will still be needed regardless of whether the offending 200ml suncream or iPad is in a cabin bag or a handbag. And escalators – simply ludicrous. By your logic, anything larger than a tote bag should be banned from being carried in public, for fear of someone knocking it down a flight of stairs. Or will you be demanding members of the public now courier their bags to their final destination when travelling by train, too?
@redlilly – I really don’t know where you got all those assumptions I allegedly made from! I merely remarked that your two hour wait comment was rather extreme because two hours simply doesn’t even vaguely relate to the average experience. I have no idea whether you are or are not part of the problem.
BA baggage wait times at Heathrow T5 are actually getting shorter rather than longer. You refer to incentivising people to check bags in, but that’s not how it’s going to work to improve compliance.
The percentages don’t matter and are hugely variable by flight, but the fact there’s a problem is very observable at security, at the gate and on board. BA talks about it a lot and are making efforts to limit cabin bags as part of trying to reduce delays. The failure of people to manage their (excess) bags on escalators (or not to take via lifts) has also been reported by others today and is a serious one.
You’re contradicting yourself through your post…
1. you refer to the fact that checking in baggage is not part of the solution, but then also state that BA are making efforts to limit cabin bags. Are you suggesting people should just travel, regardless of how long they’re going to their destination for, with a handbag?2. you’re taking issue with my 2 hour comment (not backed by significant data – only my 2 recent experienes), whilst at the same time openly bandying around % figures not back by data, as “% dont matter”.
Separately, I am petrified of escalators. If like me, you struggle to handle them (my solution is to leave a massive gap between me and the person in front and note where the emergency stop button is), then I recommend taking the lift or stairs. You then won’t have to witness all of these apparent regular occurrences of people with unsuitable baggage on escalators that you speak of.
I heard a rumour today from a BA staff member that they’re going to start charging for large cabin bags soon. Anyone else heard this?
The EU wants to introduce standardisation for cabin bags, with a free allowance. Would apply to all flights to and from EU.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/travel/article/20250627-the-big-change-affecting-european-travel
I posted that on the 1st page of this thread and was told there was no chance of it becoming law (which I disagree with).
Needs 55% of member states I believe.
It could be to BA’s advantage – their prices now are very competitive with the LCCs when the LCC prices are fully loaded with extras; but that’s not obvious from headline prices
Let’s start at root cause , there is not enough room if everyone decides to bring on a cabin bag.
The trend for short breaks, and introduction of cheaper hand luggage only fares has exacerbated the issue.
Once the low cost carriers started charging for hold luggage, they very quickly found out they had to do something about hand luggage. Charging for hand luggage, then charging to get on early to ensure locker space.
BA has two routes, it can control hand luggage either by charging. Or preferably by strict enforcement of cutting rules and boarding procedures.
Firstly ensuring CE lockers aren’t filled by economy passengers. Then letting those who have paid most on first.The other route is completely counter intuitive. FREE HOLD LUGGAGE FOR ALL, BUT CHARGE FOR HAND LUGGAGE. Clearly CE and high fare economy get included hand luggage. But if you want a cheap fare then put luggage in hold.
For the AerLingus 10kg bags, you can check them in for free at the desk, or
pay (€12?) to carry them on board….@Garethgerry – you are absolutely right about the fact there isn’t sufficient space for all this ‘hand luggage’ (as it used to be called) and the two possible routes to resolve the negative impact, plus of course seizing an opportunity to monetise the problem as LCCs have.
The problem with enforcement is that it’s often confrontational which needs to be avoided also a highly inefficient process when carried out at the gate which is really too late anyway.
Yesterday at Munich the (agency) staff did it at the moment of boarding, very firmly and matter of factly saying we can’t board you with that bag.
The idea of a free hold bag for all is fine but of course it won’t really be free. The LCCs also won’t be giving up the hundreds of millions collected from cabin or hold bag charges whatever new rules the EU (and presumably also UK) may introduce.
The other route is completely counter intuitive. FREE HOLD LUGGAGE FOR ALL, BUT CHARGE FOR HAND LUGGAGE. Clearly CE and high fare economy get included hand luggage. But if you want a cheap fare then put luggage in hold.
I don’t think it’s particularly counter intuitive. Particularly on routes which attract the short weekend city break crowd, I would have thought hand luggage would be more desirable than checking a bag.
The problem comes from giving everyone a ludicrous baggage allowance in the first place. There clearly isn’t the room for everyone to have a small suitcase that is compliant with the hand baggage rules, so it makes no sense to give everyone that allowance.
I’m just imagining the conversations, if/when the EU law changes. There will still not be enough room.
Once the lockers are full, what do you say to someone who says I’ve a legal right to bring this on board
I’m just imagining the conversations, if/when the EU law changes. There will still not be enough room.
Once the lockers are full, what do you say to someone who says I’ve a legal right to bring this on board
That ought to work out given the number of people who still won’t bring the max size hand luggage. It’s often the jumbo second bag that’s the issue and it doesn’t take many of those to mess up the capacity considerations. The risk, of course, if/when the new cabin bag rule comes in is that traditional airlines reduce their larger allowance to the smaller EU size and enforce that size and second bag size. Just to make it simpler for passengers…
Beyond that, when nudging doesn’t work, charges need to be introduced. It may not work as effectively as the introduction of a 5p charge for supermarket bags, but it will help.
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