Ba010 To Lhr. Only One Bag Allowed Check-In.

[Salapoo]

My mother recently returned home from her holiday here. Flew here on BA009, had 2 bags carry on and two bags checked-in.

Flew home on BA010 (bought as a return ticket before the holiday) and she was told by the Thai check-in man that she can only check in one bag. What? 'I checked-in two bags flying out here, here are the two stickers to show that they were checked in on the BA009 flight'. 'Only one bag allowed flying out of Bangkok madam'.

So she cleverly went away and got her two bags wrapped together in that plastic cling-film and went back to another check-in desk, no mention of it at all and no problems, both bags checked-in together as one.

Perhaps it is a policy. Anybody know?

Plus just a heads up incase it happens to anyone else, get the two bags wrapped together and try again at a different counter.

[lomatopo]

Typically one can find an airline's current/most up to date baggage policy on their website.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagchk/public/en_gb#

The above seems to support the one checked bag/23 Kg, BKK - LHR, assuming any fare below full Y, and no FFP status.

Edited May 14, 2013 by lomatopo

[allalong]

Enough said BA. . Im flying Sri Lanka air next week BKK-LHR 30Kgs economy class

[koo]

i've given up and decided I no longer need my rock collection when travelling. Thus one bag, well below 20kg, is enough in the hold. A small backpack (1,5 kg laptop, a camera and some other stuff inside), weighs maybe 4 kg, accompanies me to the cabin.

Welcome to the lighter side of life :-)

[Baerboxer]

Enough said BA. . Im flying Sri Lanka air next week BKK-LHR 30Kgs economy class

Good luck!

[breadbin]

It's usually weight not number of pieces.

I flew BA once, all ok going out (other than the crews nose in the air attitude) but when I checked in for return I got their early and was 1st in line, asked for exit seat and was told all gone and that they reserved them for talk people. I am only 5' 4".

No issues, got his name etc.

Called BA when I got home and they confirmed as I already knew that it was rubbish.

Went back month after as was using air miles (otherwise would never fly BA) and matey was there. He said same again but this time I was ready for him, to him it was rubbish, he argued, I asked for manager who backed him up, I then pulled my reply letter from BA out!! Got upgraded to premium or whatever it is and I told them not to lie to passengers,

Never flown BA again!!

[Chicog]

It's usually weight not number of pieces.

I flew BA once, all ok going out (other than the crews nose in the air attitude) but when I checked in for return I got their early and was 1st in line, asked for exit seat and was told all gone and that they reserved them for talk people. I am only 5' 4".

No issues, got his name etc.

Called BA when I got home and they confirmed as I already knew that it was rubbish.

Went back month after as was using air miles (otherwise would never fly BA) and matey was there. He said same again but this time I was ready for him, to him it was rubbish, he argued, I asked for manager who backed him up, I then pulled my reply letter from BA out!! Got upgraded to premium or whatever it is and I told them not to lie to passengers,

Never flown BA again!!

Presumably saving the seats for their mates and/or "paying" customers.

[breadbin]

Yep, I reckon your spot on!

[David48]

... and I had exactly the opposite response

I ... asked for exit seat and was told all gone and that they reserved them for talk people. I am only 5' 4".

I presume that you mean 'tall' people and not 'talk' people.

Yes, they could have already been assigned. What makes you think that being first in line at the Airport, 3 hours before the plane is due to leave makes you the first to have your seat allocated?

Also, what makes you think that the important safety role being positioned in the Exit row seat is about you? You haven't mentioned your age, and yes, it does have something to do with it.

If I am airline staff at the check-in and I have the extra-legroom seats available, I would allocate them on an as needs basis, not on a request basis.

The Exit row seat would go to passengers who are of 'average' or above 'average' height (cira 5'9" and above), appear physically fit and show by their demeanour at the check-in that they have a non-aggresive attitude, implying that they, in the case of an emergency would be able to assist in the efficient exit of the aircraft in times of emergency - there could have been better candidates then you.

At 5'4", and let's be totally honest here, you are below average height and it would indeed be selfish of you to demand that you need the extra legroom. If you have a physical disability that would benefit by the extra legroom, then maybe you are not the best candidate for the Exit row seat.

If the extra legroom was the issue, did you ask instead for a seat behind the toilets or galley where typically there is more room?

Sure ... these words above may not sit comfortably with you, and no, I'm not Airline staff, but just trying to present a case for the allocation of the Exit row seat which goes beyond the conspiracy theory of 'seats for the boys' and on an 'as needs' basis.

.

[David48]

Meanwhile ... back to the OP ... seems a strange policy ... ... as they usually go more on weight then actual number.

Was the combined weight of the 2 bags wrapped together more then 30 kilos? Because Airlines, thinking of the maximum lift of the baggage handler, usually don't allow this.

Thanks for giving us the heads up ...

.

[RabC]

BA have now adopted a Number of Bags Policy with no 1 bag over 23kg (supposedly)

[breadbin]

... and I had exactly the opposite response

I ... asked for exit seat and was told all gone and that they reserved them for talk people. I am only 5' 4".

I presume that you mean 'tall' people and not 'talk' people.

Yes, they could have already been assigned. What makes you think that being first in line at the Airport, 3 hours before the plane is due to leave makes you the first to have your seat allocated?

Also, what makes you think that the important safety role being positioned in the Exit row seat is about you? You haven't mentioned your age, and yes, it does have something to do with it.

If I am airline staff at the check-in and I have the extra-legroom seats available, I would allocate them on an as needs basis, not on a request basis.

The Exit row seat would go to passengers who are of 'average' or above 'average' height (cira 5'9" and above), appear physically fit and show by their demeanour at the check-in that they have a non-aggresive attitude, implying that they, in the case of an emergency would be able to assist in the efficient exit of the aircraft in times of emergency - there could have been better candidates then you.

At 5'4", and let's be totally honest here, you are below average height and it would indeed be selfish of you to demand that you need the extra legroom. If you have a physical disability that would benefit by the extra legroom, then maybe you are not the best candidate for the Exit row seat.

If the extra legroom was the issue, did you ask instead for a seat behind the toilets or galley where typically there is more room?

Sure ... these words above may not sit comfortably with you, and no, I'm not Airline staff, but just trying to present a case for the allocation of the Exit row seat which goes beyond the conspiracy theory of 'seats for the boys' and on an 'as needs' basis.

.

I don't agree because the policy BA sent me confirmed that exit row seats cannot be pre assigned and that any able bodied person over 151cm can be given it. The way to try to get one is arrive early and request one.

Also, I was 41 yo, fit, no disabilities and can see.

So, your arguments are flawed..

There is no policy stating the seats can only be given to taller people.

Btw, I didn't demand anything and didn't argue or become aggressive.

Also, why would it be selfish of me to request one of these seats because of my height? I've paid my money as have others, if they wish to be considered then maybe they should arrive early and try??

Candidates better than me? Explain this? Surely that is a lottery as who would know if the rest of the passengers were one legged dwarfs?

Flawed argument my friend, flawed. I suggest, before you start to provide what you think is a plausible reason for airline staff 'making' rules up that you actually know the policy 1st.

Thank you and good luck.

[RabC]

As a member of the BA frequent flyers club (Exec Club) one advantage is to be able to pre select seats, the other is pre selection for suitability of exit row seats. Try and get a seat upstairs on a B747 if you aren't and Exec Card member.

[breadbin]

BA policy that I have in writing is that no exit row seats can be pre booked and this can only be done by a member of staff at check in.

Even exec members cannot pre book exit row seats.

I do agree that getting upstairs in economy in a 747 is difficult to say the least. I went to New York many years ago and got upstairs BUT only because my friend wife worked at check in with BA. Impossible!

Again, its who you know with the secret handshake!

Good luck.

[koo]

I am not sure about BA policy, but many airlines give the opportunity to choose our seating in advance. For economy class passengers without a "power card" this normally goes for an extra charge. Exit row seats are normally the most expensive. But even if you buy your seat, this seating cannot be guaranteed and might change without notice.

The requirements (and I do not work for an airline either) for exit row seating are that you do not have physical disabilities, you are of certain minimum height and build (to be able to open the door if needed and assist others), and that you are not (heavily) intoxicated. If these requirements are not met, then the seat can not be assigned to you. The very bare minimum requirement for exit row seating is that you "are able to quickly move yourself out of the way in emergency situations."

The exit row seating also carries extra restrictions on serving alcohol because of the above. Probably you will not be denied a second glass of wine, but asking for the fifth may result in denial due to "safety requirements."

Basically a person's height (if above the minimum) is not an issue when assigning seats. However, with the crammed seating in most economy class cabins, assigning exit row seats to tall people will result in less customer complaints, and the airlines try to do their best to accommodate all of us so that no one should feel cramped in their seat. If someone is very tall, he/she might not fit in a window or middle seat. Isle seats are possible, but then you have limbs on the isle, making passing (especially with the trolley) a challenge. That is why it makes sense assigning the very tall the seats with extra leg space.

-Koo, only 168 cm -

[breadbin]

Don't agree with you mate.

How can the check in staff know whose better placed than someone else if they request an exit row seat?

As I said, maybe a group of dwarfs were booked on the flight?!!

I agree with some of your points but usually only charter flights sell exit row seats to make more money, schuduled airlines don't.

[David48]

^^ breadbin ... Since you don't fly with BA anymore, which Airline have you chosen for your patronage?

[breadbin]

Eva. It was either them or Thai but Thai was approx £400 more and since we're going to fly internally in Thai that £400 would pay for those flights easily.

Eva used to be my 1st choice but prices have crept up. Now that Thai has AVOD I prefer them if they can compete on price.

I have a daughter so school holidays are when we can travel hence higher prices.

Thanks.