For the Brits on the November Crossing and anyone else flying British Airways ..

[blackbird71]

D

It is probably wise to leave your Seabourn bear at home.

 

What is a Seabourn Bear :D

 

On Topic...... :)

BA investigated on fuel surcharge

British Airways is being investigated by UK and US regulators for the alleged price fixing of fuel surcharges on long-haul flights to and from the UK. BA said it was co-operating with the UK Office of Fair Trading (OFT) and the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

BA said that other airlines were also being examined, while Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines have said they are helping with the investigation.

The OFT said it was too early to assume that competition law had been broken.

"The OFT will not be in a position to conclude whether the law has in fact been infringed until it has completed its investigations and assessed the available evidence," it said.

 

[Globaliser]

Just had an email from BA notifying me of changes to their baggage policies. Now no one bag can weigh more than 23kgs (50lbs), down from 30kg (65lbs). The changes to the checked baggage take place on 11 October and to the hand baggage on 5 July.

A British Airways announcement yesterday, which may help some people travelling in the next few months:-

 

Delay to the implementation of checked and excess baggage policy

 

Summary

Following the introduction of new hand baggage restrictions by the UK Department for Transport, the decision has been taken to delay the implementation of the checked and excess baggage policy.

 

The new policy, announced in June, was due to be implemented from October 11, 2006, but will now be launched when we are clearer on the longer-term plans for hand baggage restrictions for all airlines in the UK and around the world.

 

We believe it is prudent to delay the launch so that we can undertake a full review of the policy, in light of the UK government's restrictions on hand baggage. This will allow us to understand fully the implications for the changes we had planned for our checked baggage allowances and excess baggage charges.

 

More information

We continue to work closely with the DfT and BAA to manage the implementation of the new hand baggage restrictions for customers departing UK airports and to ensure that we have a robust and sustainable long-term solution.

Cabin baggage restrictions continue to apply when departing from UK airports - you need to look at the BA website or that of the appropriate airport for details near the time of your flight (they're liable to change at very short notice).

[norm2002]

Airport security – new restrictions from 22 September

 

21 September 2006

The Department for Transport has today announced a further relaxation in the security restrictions at UK airports, which will be implemented at all BAA airports from the start of business on Friday, 22 September 2006.

The revised security measures allow for:

• an increase in the size of the hand baggage permitted onboard and
  
• musical instruments to be taken onboard.

In addition, BAA will now be allowing passengers to take solid cosmetics in hand luggage.

This easing of restrictions is not a return to normal as the revised regulations will continue to have an impact on our airports' operations. All passengers will be subject to hand baggage restrictions and are asked to be patient while these additional security measures are in place. Passengers are asked to allow extra time for their journey and to arrive at the airport prepared.

 

NOTE: If you are travelling today, 21 September, you will be subject to the current restrictions. For further information.

Hand baggage restrictions

Passengers are permitted to carry ONE item of hand baggage, no larger than the specified size, through the airport security search point. The dimensions* are as follows:

• 56 centimetres long (approximately 22 inches)
  
• 45 centimetres high (approximately 17.5 inches)
  
• 25 centimetres deep (approximately 9.85 inches).

* This is the maximum bag size allowed through security. Smaller bag sizes may apply depending on which airline you travel with. We therefore advise you to contact your airline.

 

Please note: Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried WITHIN the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened. Cameras, (including digital, small electrical items such as mobile phones, MP3 players and gameboys can remain in the bag for screening. However, all laptops and large electrical items must be removed from the bag and placed in a separate tray. Pushchairs and walking aids are permitted but must be x-ray screened. Wheelchairs are permitted but must be thoroughly searched.

[norm2002]

Further passenger information

Before security: All shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers, but any liquids and gels purchased must be packed into your luggage for check-in. Any other purchases must fit into your ONE item of hand baggage.

Once through security: All shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers. If you are travelling to any destination except the USA then you can take all items purchased in the departures lounge into the aircraft cabin.

If you are travelling to the USA: Extra restrictions are in place. Passengers will be subjected to secondary security searches at the gate. No liquids purchased in the departure lounge will be allowed into the aircraft cabin and any drinks or liquid items must be consumed before boarding. Food, however, is allowed. Passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate and any liquids discovered will be removed.

[PeaSea8ch]

Airport security – new restrictions from 22 September

 

21 September 2006

The Department for Transport has today announced a further relaxation in the security restrictions at UK airports, which will be implemented at all BAA airports from the start of business on Friday, 22 September 2006.

The revised security measures allow for:

• an increase in the size of the hand baggage permitted onboard and
  
• musical instruments to be taken onboard.

In addition, BAA will now be allowing passengers to take solid cosmetics in hand luggage.

This easing of restrictions is not a return to normal as the revised regulations will continue to have an impact on our airports' operations. All passengers will be subject to hand baggage restrictions and are asked to be patient while these additional security measures are in place. Passengers are asked to allow extra time for their journey and to arrive at the airport prepared.

Thank you Norm so much for posting this update! I have been Checking the BA website on a weekly basis for hand baggage updates since the current maximum carryon bag size would not accommodate my 17 inch laptop and my digital camera for my flight home after the Pride Mar. 2007 crossing. Now I can take on the plane my 22 inch rollaboard with my sensitive and delicate electronic stuff! Yiipppeee! :D

 

I look forward to meeting you after embarkation in the Sky Bar on Nov. 5 before or during our sailaway from Malaga! Also glad to see that we will be sailing on the Legend in Nov. 2007 and the Pride in Mar. 2008! Hopefully some of your photographic accumen will rub of on me!

[bldsld]

Norm, this is great news! Thanks so much for posting it.

[cadum]

Norman

Thanks so much for your input.

Do you have any info about digital camera? Can that be carried on or must it be packed in luggage.

Thanks in advance

Cadum

[Globaliser]

Do you have any info about digital camera? Can that be carried on or must it be packed in luggage.

There are no problems with cameras, iPods, mobile phones, etc etc. There is some fallacy floating around that these things are not allowed on board - it's difficult to know where that came from because the only time they were restricted was when nothing could be carried on.

 

The Department for Transport's own page, which has a few more details about what can and can't be carried on, is here.

[norm2002]

Paul

Look forward to meeting you - and don't forget you can now bring your cello on the plane as hand baggage!

Cadum

Cameras are fine but they must now be part of the one piece of hand baggage. I always used to carry a separate camera bag but this is not yet allowed unless I put it in the carry on (or the checked bags).

[cadum]

To Globaliser and Norm.

 

Thanks

 

cadum

[Globaliser]

A further relaxation has been announced today.

 

Passengers on flights from the UK to the US can now bring on board liquids that they buy after the security checkpoint. This brings US-bound flights into line with flights to other destinations.

 

You still cannot take liquids through the security checkpoint.

 

And there is an exception: NW flights from Gatwick, on which liquids are still not allowed.

[JaneBP]

From BA Today:

 

The European Union, including the United Kingdom, has adopted new security rules that permit the carrying of liquids, gels and pastes in limited quantities through airport security in passenger hand baggage. The changes will be effective from November 6, 2006.

 

This new policy applies to all passengers on all carriers who are departing from or transferring through any EU gateway, as well as those departing from or transferring through Albania, Kosovo, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland. This means the same policies apply for any customers travelling from or through any of these countries.

 

These new rules bring the EU policies more closely in line with current policies for US- and Canada-departing flights, and ensure that customers transferring on British Airways flights in the UK will be able to carry liquids, gels and pastes in limited quantities on board to their final destination.

 

Liquids must be held in individual containers not exceeding 100ml (approximately 3.5 fl. oz.).

 

Liquids, gels and pastes that may be carried onboard include shampoo, creams, hair gel, hair spray, suntan lotion, toothpaste, liquid or aerosol deodorant, perfume, cosmetics such as mascara and lip gloss, water and other drinks, soups and syrups. Other items of similar consistencies may also be carried on board.

 

All liquid, gel, and paste containers must be carried in a clear plastic zip-top or re-sealable bag that does not exceed 20cm x 20cm (8 inches x 8 inches) or one-quart capacity. Each passenger will be permitted to carry one of these re-sealable bags. Items must fit in the bag comfortably and the bag must be completely closed.

 

At the airport security search, the plastic bag must be removed from the cabin bag and x-ray screened separately.

 

For more information on this policy, along with other baggage information and information on duty-free goods, please visit ba.com.

[johnnycruise]

....

[johnnycruise]

Liquids must be held in individual containers not exceeding 100ml (approximately 3.5 fl. oz.).

 

Note that the limitations on flights between the UK and the USA have an individual container limit of only 90 mililitres.

[Globaliser]

Note that the limitations on flights between the UK and the USA have an individual container limit of only 90 mililitres.

To be accurate, that is the restriction for flights from the US to the UK. 90 ml (3 US fluid ounces) is the restriction imposed by the TSA on departures from US airports.

 

The 100 ml EU restriction will be in force for all departures from UK and other EU airports (plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland), including flights from the UK to the US.

 

As always, the rules in force at the airport(s) from which (each of) your flights departs are the applicable rules.