Gagravarr

I've just had a rather odd experience at T5 first class checkin, on my way to Manchester. I'm following CWS best practice, and travelling HBO, but I didn't have easy access to a printer so approached the desks to get my online checkin boarding pass printed. Handed over my BAEC card, and asked if they'd mind printing the boarding pass for me

Agent: Certainly, BAxxx to Manchester, <tap tap tap>
Printer: Whirr spit
Agent: Do you have your passport with you?
Me: No, I'm off to Manchester
Agent: Yes, but can I see your passport please?
Me: I'm on a UK domestic flight, so no
Agent: I know, but I need to see your passport
Me: But Manchester is part of the UK, so I don't need a passport
Agent: I'm aware that Manchester is in England, but something has changed and I still need your passport

The agent went off an conferred with someone else, then came back and said she really needed some ID, even though I wasn't checking a bag, and even though she had my BAEC card. Since I figured they're very frazzled from the weekend's IT mess, I decided to just offer up my driving license and not fight it, which worked and resulted in me being handed the boarding pass for today + tomorrow's return, and wished a pleasant flight.

Have the rules changed for domestic flights though, or was the agent just confused after a doubtless hellish last two days in Heathrow?

jday

They've always needed ID for domestic with me, usually I just use my driving license.

KARFA

Yes but only if checking bag. If not you were never asked to show ID at any point.

Tobias-UK

Identification on UK domestic flights
If you are flying solely within the UK, including Northern Ireland, you do not need a passport but we advise that you carry photographic identification with you when travelling, such as your passport or driving licence. This may be requested at certain points in your journey. Children under the age of 16 years do not require identification to travel within the UK.

https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...assports_visas

jamesreid978

Even when checking a bag on domestic, I've never had to show ID. I simply just say travelling to London. I've always found it quite comical that nothing needs to be handed over to prove who I am.

KARFA

Why? You are traveling in the Uk, both you and your bag will be screened.

Tobias-UK

All you need is your booking reference or form of identification (e.g. credit/debit card, Executive Club card or passport).https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...NF3checking_in

Land-of-Miles

It is always wise to have photo ID in any event as when the facial recognition at T5 goes Tango Uniform they start to fall back upon demanding photo ID that most don't have with them.

Tobias-UK

I agree, I always carry my passport if passing through an airport (even when flying domestic) just in case the biometrics fail.

techie

Should have used one of those self-service kiosks, they aren't as fussy

LondonAndy

It's not new..... see "Flying to Belfast from London - not a domestic flight?!"

Scottish_aero

I've noticed this can vary quite considerably when I travel domestically, sometimes I walk the whole way through without an ID check, other times I do get asked for ID. Best advice is make sure you have something just in case.

Tobias-UK

Duplicate - how the heck did that happen

LondonAndy

FT now running on BA IT Systems

Skipcool3

Only ever been asked when checking a bag.....