Medway Travel eNewsletter September 2009

Airline News

BA reduces transatlantic baggage allowance

For bookings made from October 7, economy class passengers flying on most transatlantic routes with British Airways  will see their free checked luggage allowance reduced from two pieces to one. This brings the transatlantic routes in line with other long-haul destinations.

At the same time BA will make some changes to its excess baggage rates.

BA baggage policy changes for bookings made from October 7, 2009:

• Customers travelling in World Traveller on flights to and from the Americas* (except Brazil) will have a free allowance of one bag weighing no more than 23kgs. This means that the World Traveller allowance will be the same for the majority of British Airways routes

• World Traveller customers travelling to and from Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and on through-checked journeys between India and the USA, Canada and Bermuda will retain a two-bag free allowance of up to 23kgs per bag

• Gold and Silver Executive Club cardholders will be entitled to two pieces of luggage on all routes when they travel in World Traveller, Euro Traveller and Domestic

• There will be a reduction in charges for the first bag in excess of the free allowance on longhaul

• The cost of extra bags on UK domestic routes will be brought in line with other shorthaul European services at £35 per bag

Heavy bag charge for bags between 23kgs and 32kgs will increase from £25 to £30. The special bag charge for items that exceed the maximum dimension will no longer apply.

*Americas routes affected: USA, Canada, Bermuda, Argentina, Mexico and the Caribbean

 

BMIbaby announces Newquay route

Bmibaby is launching three times weekly flights between East Midlands Airport and Newquay next year.

Services will operate for the summer season between 28 May and 12 September 2010 on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.

A Bmibaby spokesman says the airline expects to carry almost 11,000 passengers on the new service.

Fares on the route start from £18.99 one way including taxes and charges.

 

British Airways offering upgrades to Club World passengers  

Clients booking an eligible published Club World return flight between now and 18th December 2009 can receive a one-way upgrade to First on either their outbound or return journey. 

Qualifying flights must start and finish in the UK, and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Conditions apply.

For more information on availability and fares, just contact us.

 

Virgin to simplify baggage policy

The airline will simplify its baggage policy from November 25.

Virgin currently operates two types of baggage allowance, based on the number of bags on some routes and the weight of bags on others.

Charges for excess luggage also vary, depending on the route.

For all tickets booked after November 25th, it will introduce a simpler piece system.

The changes are as follows:

- Economy– passengers can check in one bag weighing up to 23 kilos

- Premium Economy– passengers can check in two bags each weighing up to 23 kilos

- Upper Class – passengers can check in up to three bags each weighing up to 23 kilos.

Passengers can also check in one additional bag weighing up to 23 kilos that contains sporting equipment, such as a golf bag, scuba diving equipment, or ski equipment.

Virgin Atlantic also claims to be the only UK long-haul airline to allow passengers to check in surfboards.

In addition, Flying Club Gold Card holders are entitled to take one additional bag on top of their free allowance, in any cabin.

Passengers wanting to check in extra bags will pay for each piece, with each extra bag costing £32 if paid for online or £40 at airport check-in.

Economy passengers travelling between Heathrow and Nairobi, and Heathrow and Lagos, will continue to be able to check in two bags if travelling in economy. 

Continental Airlines to join Star Alliance 

 

Continental Airlines is to join the Star Alliance Airline Network on October 27th, bringing the total number of members to 22.

Current members include Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian, BMI, Lufthansa, SAS, Swiss, TAP, Thai and United, with 3 regional members – Adria, Blue 1 and Croatia Airlines.

For information on our specially negotiated fares with member airlines, and for information on the benefits of Star Alliance membership, please contact us.

If already a member, please ensure we have your current membership number. We can then update your personal profile and ensure you receive all benefits to which you are entitled.

 

Delta to cut  service between Manchester and New York 

US carrier Delta has confirmed it is to cut its service between Manchester and New York from January 8, 2010, after operating the daily service to JFK for three years.

They will maintain the year round Manchester to Atlanta service, which will allow passengers to fly to New York via Atlanta.

The airline will monitor demand, before deciding whether to reinstate the service next summer.

The move follows Delta’s decision earlier this year to drop its Edinburgh-New York route from September 19th with its service between Gatwick and Cincinnati also ceasing at the end of August.

BA suspended its flights from Manchester to JFK in October 2008, while Bmi also cut its transatlantic services from the airport last year.

Passengers to the Big Apple can still fly daily with Continental Airlines. 

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