With the holiday season in full swing, the contentious issue of luggage looms like a dark cloud hovering overhead. Due to extortionate hold baggage charges many try and travel with hand luggage only, but are pushed to the limit with the differing allowances between airlines. Life would be so much simpler if they ALL had the same size and weight restrictions, but alas no. But with limited overhead space something has to give and recently both British Airways and Easyjet - a favourite for many traveling to Benidorm, have announced changes to their policies.
Easyjet have issued a statement that they can no longer guarantee all hand luggage will be accepted into the cabin, even if it does adhere with the size and weight specifications. Up until now a bag measuring up to 50x40x20cm would automatically accompany you into the plane but on busy flights – especially at this time of the year, that is now no longer the scenario.
With there only being enough room for 90 pieces of luggage inside the cabin more and more are finding that their bags are being taken off them and placed into the hold.There is often now charge, but it is the inconvinience and panic of being parted with your valuables at the last minute.
Those who board first, often paying a premium for priority boarding are generally fine but after that it all depends how the flights are boarded.
At Ryanair it´s a queuing system, so arrive early and be at the front but with BA and Monarch they often board by seat number. Remember Easyjet only allow ONE piece of hand luggage, albeit with no weight restriction whereas Ryanair and BA both allow a second smaller piece.
From next week (August 18) British Airways will reduce the size of the second piece of hand luggage – generally a handbag, significantly, to 40x30x15cm but the main piece, generally a wheely case remains at 56x45x25cm.
For many the beauty of taking hand luggage only is the speed of disembarking and heading off at the destination, instead of waiting around for the luggage to arrive on the carousel. Ipads, mobiles and valuables will often be packed in them so the prospect of it being placed in the hold is worrying. The best advice is have even a plastic bag handy just in case you find yourself in that situation and you can quickly remove them and keep them with you.
