After two weeks I finally received an e-mail answer for VA. They stated that any passenger that purchased a ticket on or before Dec 13,2006 and will travel after Feb 1,2007 will be liable for the additional tax. They stated that they "are so sorry the G Browne has chosen to charge these people"- right sorry enough not to help them out by eating this tax like other airlines!!!!!

American Airlines didn't eat the tax increase either..I know Continental did...I'm not sure as to whether British Airways did or didn't.

Am flying on BA in March and have not had to pay any new tax. So, I believe BA has decided to "eat" the green tax for their customers.

emily...you don't know that yet...what has been happening is that at check in, you've been asked to pay the 20 quid if the airline is not eating it.

We had to pay the tax at check in with Virgin. We did comment that BA were absorbing the tax and asked why they weren't and their response was "Well, BA is now charging exhorbitant excess luggage fees to compensate which is way more than the extra tax"

So travel light and check those luggage weight limits!!

NW didn't charge me extra when i departed Gatwick 2/13 on such a ticket.

Just to point out that BA's BASIC luggage allowances are better than Virgin's - eg very young children get a FULL allowance, there's no restriction on hand luggage weight, you can carry sporting equipment free of charge...