Appears the majority of posters on this site are savvy enough travelers to avoid the overage issue, however, I've seen people in line at check-in and wonder what the heck they're taking with them in those 30" suitcases. Unless, of course they're allowing for extra room for purchases.

Maybe some of us are really attached to our rock collections and hate to leave them home?

We will be flying on Air NZ via LA to London, then several days later will be flying from Gatwick to Venice on BA. I would like to be absolutely sure of a couple of points regarding BA's new luggage policy so have emailed them twice but so far NO response, very frustrating.
Am I right in thinking that for travel up until 30 Sept.a checked bag can still weigh over 23 kg but under 32 kg. WITHOUT incurring excess baggage charges???

Also I've got the measurements for cabin baggage but can anyone tell me if there is also a weight restriction on cabin baggage.

Last question, we will be checking in via a kiosk as we have e-tickets, how long before the flight should we check in, 2 hrs or less???

Thanks.

www.ba.com

There is no restriction on cabin luggage weight.

They will allow bags up to 32kg up till September.

BUT all of this is on a link accessed from the homepage of the BA website

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...g/public/en_gb

I'm with janisj on this one. If you take a 50lb suitcase to Europe (or anywhere for that matter), you're not on vacation, you're moving there and staying!

MvK

The other part of this is ONE bag to be checked only. Extra bag is $200. The exceptions are as noted.
Plus their very restrictive carryon weight.

<<< The other part of this is ONE bag to be checked only >>>

For Transatlantic routes it's TWO bags to be checked.

The one bag change only applies to folk in cattle class who are doing a different long haul route.
Before it was any number of bags up to the then weight limit of 32kg. As the weight limit is now 23kg one bag is going to be sufficient in most cases - and you could always put your bags into a big plastic bag and claim it's one bag.

Now lets have a look at some of the other changes for folk in CC

1) babies get a 23kg luggage allowance
2) there are no hand luggage weight limits - if you can lift it, you can carry it on.

With the BA restriction to only one carry on will I be allowed to also carry my (small) purse?

<<< With the BA restriction to only one carry on will I be allowed to also carry my (small) purse? >>>

BA don't have such a restriction.

HOWEVER for flights FROM the UK - and most of Western Europe from April - you can only take 1 bag through SECURITY. This means your purse would have to go in your carry on luggage.

Note this also applies if you are catching a connecting flight through a UK (etc etc) airport, as do the liquid rules but unlike the US there is no opportunity to check stuff so it will go in the bin

See www.baa.com and be ahead of the game

Thanks for the link to the baa.com site. This page:
http://tinyurl.com/ydzz7n
is most helpful. I see that I can slip my purse (or other additional carry on) into the side pocket of my suitcase through security then remove it again before boarding.

Do you know if I'm carrying items such as books and newspapers if that also has to fit inside the suitcase or can I hand carry that through security?

They either have to go in your luggage ot you can hide small things like books in your coat pockets.

I foresee the likes of Rohan introducing jackets with poachers pockets

Thanks all for the info on luggage, I have studied the BA website but just wanted to make sure I was reading it correctly. Our trip is for 10+ weeks which includes 12 day Med cruise, 4 weeks driving in Europe and 4 weeks in UK so might find ourselves taking a bit more luggage than normal although we will try to keep to the 23kg per bag.

Could anyone tell me BA's recommended check in times for flights to Europe from Gatwick using the checkin kiosks, do we need to allow 2 hrs or less.

Thanks once again.

I'd allow 2 hours - security can be fierce & these days fast-bag drops can be slower than checking in normally.

Thanks Alan.

We are not familiar with Gatwick airport or kiosk check in, so based on your comments we will allow 2 hours. Also have to drop off a rental car at the airport so I guess that will take at least another 30 mins. Infact as our flight departs at 9.50am we are now considering staying somewhere overnight close to Gatwick instead of our original plan of an early start from where we will be staying with relatives in Essex, thinking of early morning traffic on the M25, eek!!!!