G-BOAC

The ULTIMATE BA Upgrade Guide

Welcome to the new 'ULTIMATE BA Upgrade Guide'. This is designed to be catch-all FAQ about the dreaded U-word which so many people seem to covet! It is based on the original ULTIMATE thread, which, after running for several years, became rather unwieldy. This thread is locked as a 'master' FAQ. Please use this thread:

ULTIMATE BA Upgrade Discussion/Experiences Thread

for all discussions/new questions/'success' stories you wish to share about your experiences. Thanks to all the FTers who have contributed their wisdom and ideas to this (and the original) thread over the years to get the information this far ^

How do I upgrade on BA?

There are several options:

(1) Miles for Upgrade
(2) Gold Upgrade Vouchers
(3) Paid upgrade through ba.com in advance
(4) Paid upgrade at the airport/check-in (where offered - e.g. ex-LGW only on shorthaul routes to Club Europe for £59, ex-LGW only for £150 from World Traveller to World Traveller plus, or more typically at US stations and certain other overseas stations such as HKG, for all cabins at various prices)
(5) Paid upgrade on-board (if space and catering are available) by asking the CSD - NOTE: as of late 2008 this option is suspended and NOT AVAILABLE so please don't ask CSDs for this currently. We'll amend the guide if this is changed in future

All of these are better dealt with in the ULTIMATE BA Guide. This thread specifically relates to the elusive 'OpUp' or 'Operational Upgrade' - i.e. the situation which delights every frequent flyer; the free move from where you're meant to be sitting to a better cabin

British Airways does not have the same upgrade policy as most US carriers. BA tend to try and keep their premium cabins just that – premium. There are no booklets of vouchers for elites, no upgrade coupons and nothing to trade on Coupon Connection. Keep in mind that a Club World or First ticket on longhaul BA costs between $2000 and $12000 - most of the people in a premium cabin will have paid for their seat and BA want to protect this revenue. However, every now and then, there will be a need to upgrade people for free - typically 'Due to Oversales', e.g. World Traveller is oversold, so they move people to free seats in World Traveller Plus. If World Traveller Plus is then oversold, they will move people from there to Club World. And finally, if Club World is then oversold and there's space in First, a few lucky souls will be moved from Club World to the First.

How do BA process their operational upgrades?

If and when BA decides to do operational upgrades they are normally processed before ('pre flight upgrades' or PFUGs) or during check-in by the backroom staff - very rarely by the desk staff. There are no published written rules on operational upgrades but generally the process works by selecting passengers off the manifest. BA will always try to select their own elite members first. The order of operational upgrades will probably look something like this:

Premier (invitation only elite level)
Gold and/or Full Fare paying passengers
Silver
oneworld Emerald
oneworld Sapphire
Blue
Other

Note there are always exceptions. The whole point is, OpUps arise due to some operational anomaly - there will be anomalies within the anomaly too It is not unheard of (though it is rare) for a Blue (or even a non BAEC member) to get an OpUp and a Gold not to, if that is what helps the backroom staff out of a jam in a split-second decision to get an aircraft departing on time.

Yeah, but surely if I put on a suit I'll end up in F?

Hardly. The oft-cited garbage 'rules' of dressing nicely and putting on a smile will not work. Although it naturally never hurts to be prepared to sit in a premium cabin and be polite to the check-in staff as always. Many anecdotal tales from frequent BA travellers here will attest to being upgraded to J or even F whilst unshaved and decked out in scruffy jeans.

Should I ask at check-in, then?

The first of many questions where you'll receive divided answers. Some people say they have success politely inquiring at check-in. Many check-in staff say they get asked this so many times a day they'll certainly not upgrade you if you ask. One thing most people agree on: don’t ever try the “Do you know who I am?!” routine or start to demand anything based on BA or any other oneworld status, it won’t help but will almost certainly hinder your chances.

What about OLCI? Should I? Does not doing it increase my chances of an OpUp?

Another one people are divided on. Some swear that by turning up at the airport at the last minute you'll be guaranteed an upgrade. Most sensible people realise that by not using OLCI the guarantee you'll have is that when you're not upgraded, you're stuck in a rubbish seat in the cabin you should rightly be in! Others say OLCI actually increases your chances because the backroom staff can see you checked in and know you're planning on joining the flight, so they can upgrade you early if needed.

The only official word on this was a thread started by BA Executive Club which says that out of LHR Terminal 5 only, OLCI will actually increase your chances if OpUps are required.

What else hinders my chances of an upgrade?

Special meals and not being a lone traveller for a start. Special meals because the crew aren't allowed to serve you meals from a lower class - and BA likely won't have an expensive special meal for the upgraded class just sitting ready to go. It's far easier for them to simply upgrade someone with no SPML request.

People travelling together are often harder to upgrade and re-accommodate together. Simply to make their lives easier, backroom staff often find it most expedient to move passengers travelling alone.

As always, there are exceptions to both of these ‘on the day’ which are borne out by anecdotal evidence here, but in general this is true.

OK, I still don't get it, distil it down please!

Here are some rules and advice:

(1) There are no hard and fast rules!
(2) An OpUp is a gift and a nice surprise - not a God-given right.
(3) If you go expecting an OpUp, you'll likely be disappointed. So don’t.
(4) There is virtually nothing you can do (except attaining status on BA) to easily influence your chances of an OpUp. Remember if there’s no reason to move you (e.g. the flight is not oversold in your cabin), they won’t.
(5) Proceed to the airport expecting you'll be where you should be and plan to travel there - i.e. secure the best seat at OLCI for the most comfortable journey in your ticketed cabin.
(6) Don't worry about what you're wearing - dress to be comfortable on the flight, whatever cabin you end up in.
(7) Always be polite to the check-in and lounge staff. It won't help your chances, but it could hurt them if you don’t! And also you just should anyway
(8) Get Gold or Silver status on BA, or failing that, oneworld status!

So there’s really no sure-fire way of me getting an upgrade, then?

Yes, there is – pay for the cabin you want to travel in from the outset!

Score! I actually got an OpUp, aren't I lucky BA gave me this lovely gift today? Now, can I get in the lounge?

It depends. At LHR Terminal 5 the lounges are now large enough that the new policy IS to offer the equivalent lounge access for the new cabin – so if you are upgraded to First, you may use the Concorde Room. However, at other terminals and stations the old policy is in force still – i.e., “in theory, no”. In these cases, your lounge access should be per your original entitlement either through the original ticket (e.g. if you were originally in J and got upgraded do F, you'd have Terraces access) and/or oneworld status.

Do they do more than one class? Has anyone ever had a Y to F?!

Upgrades are a lucky rarity in the main. Upgrades of more than one class are even rarer. As operational quirks, of course they happen sometimes - but it's really very uncommon. There is indeed anecdotal evidence of the 'ultimate' Y to F upgrade happening to some people. See the discussion thread(s) mentioned above.

OK, I flew my upgrade and got points and miles for my original class – what gives?

How much more do you want?! The upgrade itself should be gift enough Which is a roundabout way of saying, yes, on OpUps your points and miles should post based on your original ticket eligibility – although your BA statement should usually reflect the upgrade where the flown cabin is listed (e.g. it will say J/T if you were on a T class World Traveller Plus fare but got OpUp’d to Club World, instead of W/T which is what it would be had you flown in World Traveller Plus as planned. In both cases, World Traveller Plus points and miles should be awarded.)

I’m <insert tier> and never get upgraded – why?

That’s life. If you’re Blue, that’s hardly a shock! If you’re Gold now and think you used to get more Upgrades as a Silver, consider your travel pattern – when you were Silver, were you mostly flying WT+ and getting OpUps to J? But as a Gold, you’re mostly in J already? If so, don’t be surprised…with only 14-17 seats in F, it’s much less likely to get upgraded from J! Alternatively, maybe you’re just flying on flights which aren’t so busy and don’t warrant OpUps. As above, an OpUp is a lucky surprise – not a right or something BA give out to members in certain quantities each year.

What about the über-freebie – what are the chances of being upgraded on an award ticket, then?

Although passengers on expensive tickets should fare (ho ho!) better on the ‘potential’ list as outlined above, in this world of exceptions there are always exceptions! Many here have reported travelling on WT+ tickets MFU’d to Club World, only to find themselves being gratefully seated in First for the flight. This scenario seems most common because most people here will not redeem (or MFU) to less than Club World in general anyway. As with all the back room black magic, status is likely to play a big part too here. In short: it can happen, it does happen, it’s probably less likely than on paid tickets…but regardless there is still no way to ‘predict’ it or quantify an actual ‘likelihood’.

kered

A guide to BA’s policy regarding seating pre-assignments.
*** UPDATE ***

On British Airways, all passengers can choose a seat free of charge at check-in, from 24 hours before departure.

Alternatively, passengers booked to travel on a BA Mainline operated flight (excl. BA CityFlyer and franchise airlines) may elect to pay for a seat allocation as soon as they've placed their booking. BA does allow this but in exchange for a fee. Once you have booked your flight, you can choose your seat on ba.com. There are a number of exemptions. These are listed below...




Terms and Conditions
See below for the T&Cs relating to paid seating:

Paid seating

• All paid seating is subject to availability at time of request.
  
• Paid seating is available on all British Airways mainline operated flights.
  
• Paid seating is not available on flights operated by BA Cityflyer, or those operated by any BA franchisee or alliance airline, or any flight operated by a codeshare partner.
  
• Paid seating is available in Euro Traveller, World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World, Club Europe and Domestic cabins. Exit row seat requests are only available in our World Traveller and World Traveller Plus cabins.
  
• Paid seating is now available in Club World upper deck at a higher tariff, £80. These seats become available for assignment 14 days before departure date.
  
• Paid seating can be requested from time of booking up to 24 hours before your flight. Requests specifically for seats on the exit rows can only be processed from 10 days before your flight.
  
• Bookings containing more than 9 passengers, or which contain more than 16 flights or sectors are not eligible for paid seating.
  
• Seats are not transferable to any other passengers.

Changes to seats

• Once booked, seats cannot be changed.
  
• A paid seat request cannot be guaranteed as it may need to be changed for operational, safety or security reasons, even after boarding the aircraft.
  
• In the event that we have to change your seat we will endeavour to seat you in a suitable alternative. (We will look to seat your party together in the first instance, and then if possible in your choice of window seat, middle seat or aisle seat. If you have paid for an exit row seat we will look to seat you in another exit row seat.)
  
• If we are unable to offer you a suitable alternative seat as set out above you are eligible to apply for a refund.

Exit row seats

• Exit row seats are situated either next to or immediately behind the exit door.
  
• In the unlikely event of an evacuation you will be expected to assist in the opening of the emergency door.
  
• For this reason you must be an able bodied person (12 years and over) in full fitness and able to understand printed or verbal instructions given in English. You must be willing, as well as able, to assist in the case of an emergency evacuation. When requesting an exit row seat you will be asked to verify your eligibility.
  
• British Airways has the sole discretion to determine whether a passenger meets the requirements to sit in an exit row seat. If the passenger does not meet the requirements, they will be assigned an alternative seat. The additional amount paid for an exit row seat will be forfeited and will not be refunded.
  
• If after the date of requesting an exit row seat you become unable to fulfil the requirements to sit in an exit row seat then you should contact British Airways. You will be eligible to apply for a refund if you contact us at least 48 hours before your flight.

Refunds

• Paid seating is non-refundable unless (a) there is an aircraft change and BA is unable to seat you in a suitable alternative seat. (b) there is a flight disruption causing you to be moved to another flight and BA is unable to seat you in a suitable alternative seat on your new flight.
  
• Paid seating will not be refunded if you cancel your flight, are involuntarily upgraded due to oversales, or are not suitable to sit in the seat type you have selected.
  
• If, in accordance with your fare rules, you choose to move to a different flight, you will be entitled to choose an equivalent seat on your new flight. However if an equivalent seat is not available the additional amount paid will be forfeited and will not be refunded.
  
• You have 14 days after the last flight in your itinerary to apply for a refund.
  
• Refund applications should be submitted online. Refund applications cannot be processed at the airport or onboard.
  Seating refund form http://www.britishairways.com/travel...ing_claim_form
  
• Unless otherwise stated, BA will only make a refund to the credit card used to pay for the pre-assigned seating.

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...gb?topic=tcscs


Useful links for further reference
For your convenience we have provided the relevant links below.

• For an overview on paid seating, please Click Here
• For an explanation of how the current policy (effective up to 6th Oct) works please Click Here.
• For an explanation of how the new policy, set to come into effect on the 7th Oct will work, please Click Here.
• However, the most useful explanation of the new poilcy has been carefully summarised by JAXBA - at this time forming our recommended Unofficial Guide to BA's Seating Policy.

Additionally, another resource that may of use, is viewing the active seat maps of a particular flight, to determine what seats are currently assigned and which seats are available.


A useful tip on how to check seat maps online without resorting to paid subscriptions to Expert Flyer et al....
• Go to www.expedia.com (make sure it is the US site)
• Find your BA flight on Expedia.
• Hit the "Preview Seat Availability" button and you should get a seat map . . .with the taken and available seats.

However it should be noted that while seats in economy, business and first cabins can be previewed, seats in premium economy may be excluded.

The BA seating policy has always been a hot topic of debate here on FlyerTalk, now even more so, in light of the changes set to come into effect. The thread covering this subject will no doubt remain on the first page of the British Airways board for some time. But in any case a search for “seating” or “seating policy” within this forum will turn up many threads where the intricacies, merits or other wise of the policy are discussed at length.

Jimmie76

Taking Checked Baggage on BA

UK domestic routes allowances
Allowances for Europe and all other international routes excluding to Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and through-checked journeys between USA and India
Allowances for Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and through-checked journeys between USA and India You cannot purchase extra baggage allowance for infants on any route.

Exceptions

Gold and Silver Executive Club members can carry 2 bags in all cabins, on all routes.

The following customers are entitled to a 32kgs baggage allowance per bag at no additional charge:
Customers travelling to and from Brazil.
Premier, Gold and Silver Executive Club members & American Airlines Executive Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum.
This applies to all passengers travelling on the same booking.
First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes.

Connections

If you have multiple flights with BA on the same PNR in differing classes then the highest allowance you have on your journey applies across the entire journey. If you have bought separate tickets for travel on BA, each flight is treated individually and the class of travel for that flight applies.

If you are connecting to another airline you will need to check the restrictions for that airline, as that will apply to the next leg of your journey.

Franchises & Codeshares

If you are travelling on either of these check your travel documents and/or with the airline as to your allowance.



All info from BA travel trade website

E&OE

Jimmie76

Excess Baggage

Until 23:59 on the 2nd of May 2011 all customers, will be charged a fixed, single fee for each checked bag exceeding their free allowance (see post #1)

Online charge refundable (Online only) before checking in
Customers are allowed to carry a maximum of 10 items of excess baggage
Customers will be eligible to a 20 per cent discount by pre-paying for excess baggage online at BA.com. You can only use the prepay service for countries with an online payment functionality.

After 23:59 on the 2nd of May 2011 the following apply at BA.com:

After 23:59 on the 2nd of May 2011 the following apply at the airport:
Exceptions:
India - all airports (pre-pay is available where India is not the point of sale (POS)
Caribbean - BGI/TAB/POS/MEX (pre-pay is not available for journeys departing from BGI/TAB/POS/MEX due to local VAT regulations in operation at these stations)
Europe - BRI/CAG (pre-pay is not available for journeys departing from BRI/CAG)
Franchise Flights – BMed to FNA / DKR (pre-pay is not available for any journey from/to FNA or DKR)
Franchise Flights – Comair / Loganair
Connecting journeys onto other carriers
The new ‘pre-pay’ functionality will be available on ba.com.

Overweight bags

The maximum weight for your free checked baggage (unless you qualify for the exemption listed in post #1), is 23kg (51lbs) per bag. There is a flat fee of £30 for bags weighing more than 23kg (51lbs) and the maximum weight is 32kg (70lbs) You can only pay for your Heavy Bags at the airport.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Free Cabin Baggage allowances

Adults and Children over 2years are allowed two pieces of cabin baggage as described below.
Infants (0-18months) are allowed one primary bag for items that may be necessary during the flight (Nappies, Sudocreme, Infacol etc.)

Free size allowances:

Your primary piece of carry on bag should be no more than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm - 22ins x 18ins x 10ins in total.
The secondary piece of cabin baggage is for a laptop type bag and should be no more than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm - 18ins x 14ins x 8ins) in total.
In both cases that includes straps handles etc.


Both bags must fit into the bag sizer at check in and/or security, and:

The primary bag (unless a special needs passenger) must be light enough for you able to lift it on your own into the overhead lockers. No asking the crew to help you please.

The secondary bag again must fit under the seat in front of you (except in Club World/First obviously).

Other Airlines/Codeshares

If you are connecting to another flight with a different airline or a BA franchise, or are on a codeshare you should obviously check the hand baggage allowance with that airline before packing/shoping at duty free.

Franchise Airlines

BA has franchise airlines that operate certain routes on their behalf. Planes are often smaller and baggage allowances are not the same as the main BA.

On some routes these airlines operate small aircraft types which have limited cabin storage space, so you cannot always expect the same allowances as on larger aircraft.

Printer/Toner Cartridges


These are now banned items above certain weights and the following rules apply depending upon where you board the aircraft and your destination. If flying to or from the USA the lower US Govt. limit applies at all times.

UK Government restrictions
No Ink and toner cartridges weighing more than 500g will be permitted as hand baggage for all flights to or from the UK.

US Government restrictions
No Ink and toner cartidges weighing more than 16 oz (453 g) will be permitted as hand baggage or checked baggage for all flights to or from the USA.

This applies to ink and toner cartridges for use in printers, photocopiers and fax machines.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Sporting Equipment

If you plan on travelling with sporting equipment, the sporting equipment comes out of your baggage allowance. So if you only have one free bag as part of that allowance you will be paying for another bag.

Should the weight of your equipment exceed 23kg - 51lbs (and it can weigh no more than 32kg - 70lbs) and you don't qualify under the exemptions listed in post #1, you will be charged the heavy bag fee too.

The same maximum dimensions apply to sports equipment as regular baggage, so 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in). Equipment must be packed in a travel case specifically designed for that piece of equipment.

Sporting equipment not accepted:

BA do not accept the following as sporting equipment:
Hang gliders, windsurfing boards and sails, kayaks, canoes and oars, pole vaults, javelins, water-skis and surfboards (that exceed the maximum dimensions). They suggest you send these freight

N.B. This applies only to BA! Codeshare, Oneworld and alliance partners may well be different so make sure you check.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Musical Instruments

You can take a musical instrument with you on your flight with BA. If this has to go as checked baggage in the hold then it comes out of your free checked baggage allowance. If you exceed your free allowance because of this then you can expect to pay the excess baggage and/or if it weighs over 23Kg (unless you qualify for the exepmtion in post 1) you will have to pay the heavy bag charge.

The maximum weight for instruments is 45Kgs - 99lbs and the maximum dimensions are 190cm x 75cm x 65cm - 75in x 29.5in x 25.5in (unless it can be broken down into parts) there is a special size exemption if you wish to take a double bass. You must make BA aware of the fact (preferably at the time of booking although possible up to 24hrs before departure) that you will be travelling with an instrument if it exceeds the 23kgs

As Cabin Baggage.
You can obviously take (subject to size and security rules) your smaller instrument in the cabin as part of your cabin baggage. Should you think that your larger item (such as a cello) needs to accompany you in the cabin then this is also possible. You need to book an extra seat (Baggage in Cabin) and the code you need for in the booking for your instrument is is CBBG (also applies to high value items).

The maximum dimensions are 140cm x 58cm x 32cm - 55in x 22in x 12.5in.

Orchestral Instruments

BA reccomend that you book these (which conform to the size/weight restrictions above) through a specialist travel agency. Any piece that exceeds the size/weight restrictions should be booked via either BA World Cargo or a freight company.

N.B. This applies only to BA! Codeshare, Oneworld and alliance partners may well be different so make sure you check.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Missionaries and Diplomats

Missionaries

So you've decided to bring religion to the far flung places of the world (we'll miss you from FT). Well you are in luck BA offers you extra luggage to help you on your way, up to a total of three bags. This only applies to booking in WT an WT+ because you wouldn't normally be travelling in CW or F as a missionary and there are beter allowances in those cabins anyway. Depending on the route these 3 bags are made up of:

1 Bag plus 2 extra Bag in WT
2 Bags plus 1 extra in WTP
2 Bags plus 1 extra Bag in WT & WTP

In any event the maximum weight for those bags is 23kg - 51lbs each.

Diplomats

You may have to travel with a Diplomatic Bag and you need to keep this in the cabin with you at all tmes. Should this bag exceed the maximum hand luggage requirements you can purchase an extra seat for it. You need to make sure that the DIPB code is in your booking.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Spare Tyres

Okay so you're big boned and it looks like you carry a bit of 'Extra Baggage' around with you and the seats in WT are a bit too restrictive for comfort. Well the good news is that BA will sell you an extra seat, the one right next to you in fact so that you can breathe out . This is also useful for people who have a medical condition that requires you to need a another seat(s). the easiest thing to do in these situations is call BA or your experienced travel agent and get them to do the booking for you.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Missing In Action

Okay so you've arrived and your Tumi/Zero Halliburton/Samsonite/LVMH etc hasn't, what do you do?

When you realise that your bag may not have arrived, advise the British Airways Customer Service desk, (usually situated in the baggage reclaim area) of this fact. A lost baggage report needs to be made up, detailing the make, model and colour of the baggage. You must have the baggage tag receipt, given to you when the bag was checked in in for the flight.

Then, a British Airways reference number will be given and a contact telephone number. BA will immediately commence to trace the bag(s) and when found they will attempt to contact you passenger by telephone.

If you have access to the internet, you can check on your bag search progress yourself. Simply goto the World Tracer website
http://www.worldtracer.aero/filedsp/ba.htm and entering the baggage tracing reference number you were given.

The following terms may appear in reference to your bags.

"ITEM LOCATED. AIRLINE IS CONFIRMING."
This indicates that your item has been located but may not have arrived at the airport from which it was reported missing. Some possibilities include: - only some of the items have arrived, e.g. 1 of 2 pieces - an item which is a possible match has been located at another airport - another airport has updated the system to say they have located the luggage. In these instances, we advise that you re-check the status of the luggage in a couple of hours time.

"RECEIVED AT AIRPORT".
This indicates that the missing item(s) have been received at the airport from which they were reported missing. Please note that in some circumstances the item(s) may be in other local airports, e.g. items reported missing at London Heathrow arrive at London Gatwick. British Airways will now arrange delivery of the luggage using a local courier as soon as the luggage has passed through customs.

"DELIVERY PROCESS INITIATED".
This indicates that the item(s) have been processed for delivery by courier.

"RECEIVED AT AIRPORT/DELIVERY PROCESS INITIATED".
This indicates that the item(s) have been received at the airport from which they were reported missing and they have been processed for delivery by courier.

"PENDING. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER"
This indicates that there is currently no further news and that the item(s) are still being tracked. Please do check back later as our systems are constantly updated. If the baggage is delayed and later delivered to your passenger but arrives damaged or with items missing, you have 21 days from date of delivery to make a written report to British Airways. If the bag is not recovered within 5 days, you should submit a written claim to the Baggage Claims Department indicating the contents of the bag along with the value of each item. In all cases, a bag is not considered lost until a minimum of 3 weeks has elapsed.

Jimmie76

Banned and Restricted


Banned

The following (non exhaustive) list contains Items that may not be carried in your luggage/on your person

Disabling devices - mace, pepper spray, etc.
Security-type attaché cases containing dangerous goods - pyrotechnic devices, etc.
Strike anywhere matches (Swann Vestas etc)
Flammable gas cylinders
Flammable liquids - paint, petrol, lighter refills, solvents, varnish, etc.
Flammable solids - firelighters, etc.
Substances liable to spontaneous combustion
Substances that emit flammable gases in contact with water
Oxidising materials - paint stripper, etc.
Organic peroxides - bleach, etc.
Toxic substances - weedkiller, insecticides, etc.

Partially Banned

Printer/Toner Cartridges
UK Government restrictions
No Ink and toner cartridges weighing more than 500g will be permitted as hand baggage for all flights to or from the UK.

US Government restrictions
No Ink and toner cartidges weighing more than 16 oz (453 g) will be permitted as hand baggage or checked baggage for all flights to or from the USA.

This applies to ink and toner cartridges for use in printers, photocopiers and fax machines.


Restricted

The following (non exhaustive) list can be carried subject to notification to and approval by British Airways before flying.

Explosives – ammunition Camping stoves and fuel containers
Solid carbon dioxide (dry ice)
Heat-producing articles – underwater torches, soldering irons, etc.
Mercury-filled items - barometers, thermometers, etc.
Avalanche rescue pack
Chemical agent monitoring equipment
Insulated packages containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen
Non-flammable gas cylinder – as part of a life-jacket
Oxygen and other small cylinders for medical use
Mobility aids – wheelchairs, powered devices with either non-spillable or spillable batteries

If have any of these restricted items, you should contact British Airways preferably at the time of booking, but at least 24 hours prior to departure.

E&OE

Jimmie76

Openskies

Despite being a BA owned airline and having BA codeshare flight numbers Openskies differs from the regular BA limits and rules. This is jut a selection of the rules and the full details can be found here

Cabin Baggage
.

• 1 (one) standard-sized bag - maximum size of the bag must not exceed 56x45x25cm (22x17.5x9.85in) (including wheels, pockets and handles)
• 1 (one) laptop sized bag, handbag or briefcase

Extra Restrictions on Cabin Baggage

Printer cartridges and toner cartridges, weighing 16 ounces (453 grams) or greater, are not permitted to be carried on board any aircraft going to the United States, either in cabin baggage or checked baggage.

N.B. As well as being able to lift the bags unaided into an overhead locker, each bag may weigh no more than 18kg (40lbs).


Checked baggage

Free checked allowance for

Biz Bed and Biz Seat passenger, adults and children aged 2 years and older:

• 3 bags
• Maximum dimensions per bag (H+W+L): 158cm (62in)
• Maximum weight per bag: 23kg (51lbs)

Infants under 2 years (not occupying a seat):

• one bag
• Maximum dimensions per bag (H+W+L): 158cm (62in)
• Maximum weight per bag: 23kg (51lbs)
• Plus one fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat

N.B. Openskies do not interline baggage with anyone.


Overweight Baggage Fee

There is a flat fee of $49 or 32€ for bags weighing more than 23 kg (51 lbs).

As with BA the upper limit is still 32kgs (70 lbs)

Excess Baggage Fee

If there is space available then extra bags/items (i.e. any more than your normal three) will be carried, the fee is $165 or 114€ per bag.

E&OE