British Air says they have a weight restriction on carry-on luggage -- can't recall the exact amount but it's pretty low. (There was a thread about this some time ago.) <BR><BR>I just flew BA from LAX to Rome with a plane change in Heathrow. Return from Rome to Heathrow, then to SFO. I didn't see anyone checking EXCEPT at Heathrow for the Rome flight. A woman from BA was walking around the waiting area. If a passenger had a large carry-on, like a 20" rolling suitcase or good-sized duffle bag, she hefted it to see how heavy it was. In several cases she made the person check the bag. She ignored me and my smaller but-oh-so-heavy tote, which was undoubtedly over the weight limit. (Perhaps it is only bags that must go overhead that BA is concerned about, and they don't care about what goes under the seat?)<BR><BR>No one seemed to care on any of the other legs. I must say this was the first time I have seen anything like this Waiting Room Baggage Police!<BR><BR>Any similar experiences, fodor-folk?
When I flew BA from IAD to LONDON, the baggage police lifted up my carry on also--and this was 3 years ago--<BR><BR>I had unpacked the stupid carry on until I was right at the correct weight limit so they would allow it--( did this at home on the bathroom scale!)<BR>They let me pass thru!<BR><BR>Then FLEW BA in Business Class and the witch at check-in made me UNPACK my carry on and pack the HEAVY stuff in my checked luggage--<BR>THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I FLEW BA--<BR><BR>I have since stuck with Virgin Atlantic and had NO PROBLEMS AT ALL!
I have been flying BA for over twenty years (and it is one of my least favourite airlines) and they have always done this random checking of the weight of the luggage. I have been seated in the waiting area ready to board and somebody will just come over and pick up one of my carry-ons to see how heavy it is. BA is very famous for this and making people unpack and repack their luggage.
Wow, how interesting the different experiences are. I've never had a problem with BA in this regard. I find they are usually more generous than most in terms of carry-on... And the service is polite and helpful, especially once you get on the plane. I have however, had horrible problems with United (and don't even want to get into United horror stories as they could go on for a long time, and I don't want to ruin my day and get my blood pressure up just thinking about it!)
British Air is the worst airline I have ever flown. Would never do it again.<BR>They have the attitude that they are doing you a favor by flying you.<BR>Terrible food. When I asked for a second drink (9 hour flight) I was refused.-One to customer.
I used to think weight restrictions on carry-on were a pain in the neck 'til I flew BA on a rough day between Manchester and Glasgow. <BR><BR>It was the last leg of a rather gruesome overnighter from Toronto. The weather was really rough, we hit turbulence and many of those overhead bins flew open and stuff came flying out. <BR><BR>Several folks were hit by falling bags including my 6 year old. There is no financial compensation that can make you feel better about a concussed child in a strange country. <BR><BR>Personally, I wish they would consider NO overhead baggage compartments at all and I am truly sympathetic to the "baggage police" and "witches".
We fly BA every year from LA to London & to Paris and never had a problem, but then again we play by the rules. They say 13 pounds and we keep it at that. We've seen them weigh carryon's at LAX a number of times. Frankly I wish everyone would be required to check those rolling suitcases & huge duffels, many are "luggage" not carryon anyway.<BR><BR>As for BA we've never had any problems, their people have always been very pleasant, the food is OK (not great, but OK) and the flights have been good.<BR><BR>A lot of the way you are treated is the attitude you have and the image you project I've found. Too many of the flying public think they are "the exception to the rule" and that is what causes problems.
Lori,<BR>Golly,Gee-London to Paris!!!<BR>I really don't consider that an international flight. It's like flying from N.Y. to Buffalo.<BR>I guess I'm not used to your British attitude nor BA's.<BR>After all, you play by the rules. AHHHHHHHHHH!!<BR>
Normally I just read these for info, but BOOOO - you need to re-read Lori's msg. She flies LOS ANGELES to London and Paris, not London to Paris. That pretty much sounds like an international flight. and maybe everyone should remember how well those Brits queue-up, while the rest of the world, including U.S., likes to butt in line. Cultural differences - the reason we travel, right?
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I flew BA last month Seattle/London. At check-in counter at SeaTac they weighed my 22" roller suitcase (seemed pretty routine) and checked it thru because it was over their weight limit. No big deal. My bag arrived fine. It was actually nice not to drag it all around the airports, etc. I did carry on one very large pocketbook.<BR><BR>As to the service, drinks, food, entertainment, etc. that was all OK too. I had plenty of free cocktails & wine both served to me and when I walked to the 'kitchen' and asked for another.
question to recent BA above, or any fairly recent BA flyer ... I have an e-ticket for flying BA Baltimore to London in a few weeks (and back a week later). This is a nonstop flight and I think it's a 767, at least going over. I know they have rather strict weight limits as I just flew them London to Wash DC a couple months ago, but I don't try to carry a suitcase on board anymore, so checked that, and then had a small carryon (nowhere near that size, larger than a purse but not too big, probably less than 10#). <BR><BR>Much to my surprise, when I get this e-ticket in the mail, it has the note under the schedule that "baggage allowance is one piece" That's ALL it says, it doesn't say one carryon and 1 checked (or whatever it is) or two total or anything other than that. I thought yikes, I can't travel with only one piece of luggage, so I called up BA customer service and asked him what this note meant and what that was all about, was there some punitive deal for me because I got a special online sale or what (which wasn't that cheap, only $20 off if you booked some other way, the fare was one of their late summer "sale" fares which aren't that cheap)? <BR><BR>The BA customer service phone agent didn't know anything and couldn't answer my question as to why it said that or what it meant. He said, gosh, I never heard of that, our allowance is 2 checked and 1 carryon or something. So, I am going to go with one 22" checked suitcase and a smaller carryon (plus my purse, I guess). But I don't want any nasty surprises, so does anyone know about what that means on BA e-tickets and has anyone had baggage restricted to only ONE total piece on BA for any reason? I told them if that is true, I will never fly them again, and I mean it, but I have the ticket now so must use it.
To Booo - Yes, we play by the rules, and always get treated very nicely by BA (give it a try some time!) and we fly LA-London and on to Paris - usually we stay in London awhile and do the shorter hop, altho we have done it LA-LHR-CDG & vice versa. For your info (check the map if you don't believe me) London & Paris are in two different countries. You do need to show your passport too.<BR><BR>Thank you Shanna for reading correctly!<BR><BR>To Christina,<BR>I don't think you will have any problems with your baggage. BA allows 2 checked pieces and one carryon (the 13 lb weight limit for that one). We've never had any problems with checked luggage on any trip. We've always had paper tickets, but I can't imagine there is any difference in baggage. BA's website is a little cumbersome,but it does talk about baggage, etc and it says 2 pieces of checked baggage.<BR><BR>Incidently, you can look at your BA reservation online via www.checkmytrip.com if you want to do that.<BR><BR>
