Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - New Economy Class Baggage Allowance from 21JUL08

e-mail from Cathay Pacific from work today...


Cathay Pacific Airways will revise its Economy class checked baggage allowance for itineraries involving North America on tickets issue on/after 21 July 2008.


Adult and Children will continue to enjoy a two-piece free allowance. (Infant, one piece free allowance).


The permissible weight of each piece will be reduced from 32 to 23 kg (50 lbs).
The maximum 3 dimensions of each bag remain unchanged at 62 in.(158 cm)
If the weight of the free checked baggage exceeds 23 kg and up to 32 kg, USD25 or CAD equivalent will be charged.


First and Business Class checked/cabin baggage allowances and dimensions remain unchanged.

Well at least CX is NOT penalising pax in premium cabins - unlike SQ!

What about Y passengers who are MP Silver or above? Is there an exception for that?

The press release (http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_US/aboutus/pressroomdetails?refID=16916109234ea110VgnVCM10000 010d21c39____)can be found on the CX USA homepage.

Key points:

2 bags still permitted
overall size limit unchanged
new limit is 50 lbs per bag
fee of $25 for bags 50-70 lbs
applies to economy class flights ticketed on or after July 21


There is no mention of the impact on status passengers, so I would assume the same rules continue to apply (i.e. higher weight limits, etc.)

From the press release:
First and Business Class passengers will continue to be offered the current baggage policy of 70 lbs per checked bag. In addition, Marco Polo members will maintain current baggage policies dependent on class traveled. Further details on Cathay Pacific’s baggage policies can be found at www.cathaypacific.com/us or by calling Cathay Pacific Reservations at 1-800-233-2742.

So it sounded like MPC members SL and above get extra baggage allowance according to their tier status.

I would like to see a discount or rebate for passengers without bags. Why should they subsidise those who cart 32kg (or now 23kgs) of junk with them? If anyone is remotely half serious about fuel burn etc, extra weight = extra fuel.

WHAT THE FXXX ARE YOU SERIOUS

I always fly the Toronto route and my baggages are always close to 32 kg...

How can they fxxxing do that? To save cost? Oh my God....

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

WHAT THE FXXX ARE YOU SERIOUS


yes!

WHAT THE FXXX ARE YOU SERIOUS

I always fly the Toronto route and my baggages are always close to 32 kg...

How can they fxxxing do that? To save cost? Oh my God....

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:


What is wrong with you?

I think the charge is pretty reasonable. It is just 25USD

The charge is reasonable given the state of the industry, but no one likes to see privileges taken away. Of course, the people who feel it the most are the Y passengers because they don't pay the exorbitant premiums for J/F travel. Families will be affected a lot; my mother travels to India with close to the 32kg limit in both bags, so this will force a lot of downsizing and less gifts and parcels being exchanged. Oh well; c'est la vie until oil falls below $100 again.

I wish they would be more strict with cabin baggage.

Oil fall back below $100? You're kidding, right? No way that'll happen IMHO.

As for reduced weight limits for baggage, it's what every other airline is doing.

To the poster who suggested that passengers without bags should get a discount, yes, some airlines do that already (e.g., Air Canada). Perhaps skinny passengers should get a discount, too, so that they don't have to subsidise the heavy passengers. :p

USD25 is not bad compared with 1% of full F fare per kg.

Perhaps Asia-NA passengers have to change the travelling habit a little. The extra 18kg per person can add to up to 6 tonnes.

I always fly the Toronto route and my baggages are always close to 32 kg...
Dude... chill pill time... and don't buy so many t-shirts on your next trip...

I think the charge is pretty reasonable. It is just 25USDAgreed.

Oil fall back below $100? You're kidding, right? No way that'll happen IMHO.Afraid you're right - unless someone comes up with a way to power cars on dog 'dirt'...:p

(i) On all other flights outside North America economy class passengers only get 20 kg of free baggage allowance. North American bound/originating customers have been enjoying more than triple the allowance of other customers. With the amendments they will still enjoy more than double.

(ii) Most other airlines have a 23 kg maximum for bags to North America. Air New Zealand, for one.

Well at least CX is NOT penalising pax in premium cabins - unlike SQ!

What is SQ doing?

This blows, but its not as bad as everyone would think... it basically penalizes people who "mule" cargo...

I've had a trip with a 30kg carry on, 32kg x 3 checked luggage in one flight, with $100 USD extra bag penalty. Decided it was cheaper to hand carry than to send by UPS :D

The charge is reasonable given the state of the industry, but no one likes to see privileges taken away. Of course, the people who feel it the most are the Y passengers because they don't pay the exorbitant premiums for J/F travel. Families will be affected a lot; my mother travels to India with close to the 32kg limit in both bags, so this will force a lot of downsizing and less gifts and parcels being exchanged. Oh well; c'est la vie until oil falls below $100 again.
Totally agree with you. Not every on this forum is MCP Diamond or get to travel in J/F. It's a huge impact on Y passengers. 25USD may be nothing to some people, but for Y passengers (who had the privileges to take 32kg before) it means a lot.

25USD may be nothing to some people, but for Y passengers (who had the privileges to take 32kg before) it means a lot.
I can't see the problem, actually. It's one way of passing on the extra fuel cost to the people who carry a lot of stuff and therefore use more fuel than average. And with this charge you have a choice - pay the USD25 or leave some of your bricks behind ;)

Totally agree with you. Not every on this forum is MCP Diamond or get to travel in J/F. It's a huge impact on Y passengers. 25USD may be nothing to some people, but for Y passengers (who had the privileges to take 32kg before) it means a lot.

Well sorry to sound a bit harsh but CX is not a charity and if you can't afford to fork out the 25USD then prehaps you shouldn't bring/buy so much stuff.

CX has been pretty generous already as BA charges at least twice that amount and other airlines are no better.

Prehaps you should revert back to AC (if they have not reverted to 23Kgs, I am sure they will be).

Quite frankly the ticket cost of Y class pax has not gone up that much in the past 15 years, with the op costs sky rocketing and CX issuing profit warning I can see this as a logical step to run a business.

Well sorry to sound a bit harsh but CX is not a charity and if you can't afford to fork out the 25USD then prehaps you shouldn't bring/buy so much stuff.

CX has been pretty generous already as BA charges at least twice that amount and other airlines are no better.

Prehaps you should revert back to AC (if they have not reverted to 23Kgs, I am sure they will be).

Quite frankly the ticket cost of Y class pax has not gone up that much in the past 15 years, with the op costs sky rocketing and CX issuing profit warning I can see this as a logical step to run a business.
well if they want to be the most admired airline in the world then they need to provide service straight from the heart (http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_INTL/aboutus/cxbackground/missionstatement) and offer more than some other airlines. i do understand to run a business they may need to sacrifice some passengers benefits, but if they please the passengers they can get more business.

ps. i understand that everyone has their own travel habits and i hope this discussion won't turn into an argument ;)

Prehaps you should revert back to AC (if they have not reverted to 23Kgs, I am sure they will be).



I flew AC recently from YVR to YYZ in Y. The baggage allowance is 23kg and my bag was 25kg. As a result, I had to FXXXing pay $50 surcharge for just 2kg. Although this fixed charge was absolutely ridiculous, I was in a rush who I didn't care less. In view of this, when one benchmarks CX's bag surcharge to the industry's, one can see that the fee is already very fair and generous.

I can't see the problem, actually. It's one way of passing on the extra fuel cost to the people who carry a lot of stuff and therefore use more fuel than average. And with this charge you have a choice - pay the USD25 or leave some of your bricks behind ;)

I completely agree. The new policy seems quite fair.

Totally agree with you. Not every on this forum is MCP Diamond or get to travel in J/F. It's a huge impact on Y passengers. 25USD may be nothing to some people, but for Y passengers (who had the privileges to take 32kg before) it means a lot.

If it means a lot then the passenger should start get smart and start carrying less luggage if $25 fee is killing them. If you HAVE to bring 70lbs, then get prepared for the extra fees.

Bringing up to 32kg/70lbs is not a privilege.

Cathay Pacific basically just took the idea from China Airlines, just about 3 months later, that's all. Singapore Airlines is 20 kg for all cabins and all routes, not even 23 kg.

...

I feel that it is pretty fair.. also, the $25 fee for "extra weight" is pretty reasonable. I believe UA charges $50 or $100 for baggage with excess weight.

I wonder what is the allowance for Silver members in this case.

Also, how is CX going to enforce "ticketing dates"? The LAX check in is already chaotic as it is, and this will add further to the confusion.

..
To be honest, I find the lawsuits much more hilarious and bizarre in Taiwan, when compared to US.

Air Canada is actually actually giving discounts for bringing no luggages when you make the reservation online.

Ahh, another stereotypical and predictable America bashing. Original. I've never heard anyone say things about frivolous lawsuits before, or fat Americans. Why don't you throw in a few jabs about McDonalds, Hollywood B movies and obnoxious tourists while you're at it.Well said. I'm sure when it rains in coolfish's town, it's America's fault too. He/she is a sad little bitter person with inadequacy issues. And he/she might want to read the news a little more thoroughly - obesity isn't a US problem - it's widespread throughout most Western countries.

Well sorry to sound a bit harsh but CX is not a charity and if you can't afford to fork out the 25USD then prehaps you shouldn't bring/buy so much stuff.

Well, you are being a bit harsh, so chill out ;). Anyway, to go with what etkuo was saying, and to state the obvious, Y passengers don't fly J/F because really, they can't afford it. $25 is pennies to a J/F flyer who pays fares of $8000+ on routes like JFK-HKG, but to someone who flies once to say visit family in Hong Kong, having to pay $25 extra could mean one less gift to a family member not seen that whole year. You've got to account for the range of experiences out there; the $25 comes from somewhere. So telling someone who has a right to be annoyed with another surcharge to just put up or shut up, or worse, switch airlines, is really rude and uncalled for. Yes, the airline has no choice; the oil prices affect everyone and they've got to put out a negative incentive to reduce the weight of the a/c. But let's not make it worse by calling people out. I'm a Y flyer generally, but I'd be willing to pay the $25 fee (if I were green member or non-member) if it meant flying CX and not, for example, CO, on the NYC-HKG route.

By the way, this thread is getting a little personal with some of the jabs going around, so let's just keep to the topic or the moderator might lock it.

I am generally a Y person too. I normally board with a 7-10kg carry-on (including my notebook - so I am way within my cabin allowance) with no checked luggage. When my carry-on is a little heavier, I will check it in. My checked luggage for my last two flights was only about 8kg.

Saying that, my sister pushed to the 32kg/bag limit almost always, but she did not do that in her last trip - only totalling about 50kg in three bags for two persons. It was just too much exercise for them moving bags weighing 32kg each.

It is difficult for airlines to charge th F/J passengers on small items. They can be turned off. Many of these passengers do not really have a lot of luggage anyway. So airlines have to turn to discourage the majority (80%) of the other passengers from carrying too much.

Just curious...from g-man's post I infer that GR members get stuck with the new weight restrictions? Maybe CX could change course, it might would be an added benefit (and a revenue source) if CX would allow GR members to get a reprieve on the luggage charge...maybe would get a lot new CX members, build some loyalty with them during what looks like may be a difficult stretch.

Basically then everyone could just pay $50 to join MPC and then get more luggage onboard...it pays for itself after a round-trip. Can you imagine if this happened?! The lines for F/J/MPC/OW would be overflowing with pax!

It seems like CX usually has some special baggage privileges for MPO members. As gold member I can technically bring a 3rd piece with me, though i think lugging around even 2 pieces of luggage is annoying. Since we already get that privilege, I somehow don't really think that CX will waive the charge for elite Y passengers. Though it would be nice.

I do hate it, mostly observed in both HK and the US Im afraid when people observe baggage weight limits for checked baggage though miraculously appear at the plane with all manner of carry on items, including carry on size bags quite obviously weighing way too much (as the people carrying them cant even lift them into the overhead bin).

Recent changes to what is allowed as carry on items, the sort of things that would have in the past been taken on board are now being put in checked luggage.

My point is that cracking down on checked luggage just forces people to be more 'inventive' with their carry on items, which is in my opinion dangerous if it gets out of hand.

Please keep to the topic without referring to other nationalities and what they are. Keeping thread open for now, but if its getting more Off Topic, it will be closed.

Thanks.

Guy Betsy
Cathay Pacific Asiamiles forum moderator

well its a good thing we went to the philippines before these changes were made. cause most of our checked luggage were 65-69 pounds.

i wish they'd put an exception for passengers going to/from the philippines like korean air does. cause us filipinos are known for bringing big, heavy balikbayan boxes with us for our loved ones back in the motherland. korean air's limit is 50 Ibs, but allows those going to/from philippines or brazil to have 70Ibs.

I often have to fly with rather heavy luggage due to the nature of my work. Am normally very happy with CX "elite" limits although some airlines are even a bit more generous.

In the end, we as passengers will pay for the extra fuel costs anyway one way or the other. At least excess luggage can be redeemed with AM.

i wish they'd put an exception for passengers going to/from the philippines like korean air does. cause us filipinos are known for bringing big, heavy balikbayan boxes with us for our loved ones back in the motherland. korean air's limit is 50 Ibs, but allows those going to/from philippines or brazil to have 70Ibs.

I might sound rude and not understanding but may be it is time to cut down the weight a bit these days.

Even Northwest is lowering the baggage allowance in particular to Philippines, Taiwan, HK, China to just 50lbs from 01AUG08. Singapore/Thailand/Japan/Korea stays at 70lbs.

i wish they'd put an exception for passengers going to/from the philippines like korean air does. cause us filipinos are known for bringing big, heavy balikbayan boxes with us for our loved ones back in the motherland. korean air's limit is 50 Ibs, but allows those going to/from philippines or brazil to have 70Ibs.

Surely you are not saying that people returning to the Phil's should be exempt from excess baggage charges?

Surely you are not saying that people returning to the Phil's should be exempt from excess baggage charges?That's what he typed...


http://www.angrybackhand.com

Having spoken to MPO - there is no reprieve from this charge even if you are a diamond member.

Gold / Diamond members are allowed to bring an extra bag on trans pacific flights. When flying economy class, the max weight of each bag is 23KG. If they are flying business they can take up to 32KG.

What I think is a bit funny is that 3 bags of 23KG is actually heavier than 2 bags at 32KG. I pointed this out to MPO, but they said that no pooling of bags are allowed. They also stated that safety was something to do with it - which I don't really believe as first and biz pax can take upto 32KG, and that we've been carrying 32KG's this whole time.

The safety issue might actually be concerning the baggage handlers work safety, if I'm not mistaken.

So we are learning from the Brits and BA are we? When are the baggage handlers going on strike?

If it's a safety issue there shouldn't be any bags above 23KG