Originally Posted by
Globaliser
Slightly OT, but I have wondered whether this approach is intended by BA to encourage customers to buy the Plus fare rather than the HBO/Basic fare if they know they're going to (or likely to) check a bag.
Probably, and it makes sense.
If a passenger buys a Plus fare:
1. The extra income is guaranteed, even if the passenger doesn't bother checking a bag or no-shows or cancels on a non-refundable ticket;
2. They are better able to predict how much luggage will be loaded, and therefore how much cargo room there is;
3. They don't have to process payments at the airport and deal with potential check-in delays, reducing staff costs.