Hold temperatures for checked luggage
Feb 5, 2019, 4:19 am
#19
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Feb 5, 2019, 4:23 am
#20
Join Date: May 2012
Location: London, UK
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Hello,
Probably not strictly for the BA forum - but it's the only forum I really use and I do normally fly with BA (hope this is ok).
I'm hoping to take some special kinds of Japanese sake back from Japan. These particular types are supposed to be kept refrigerated before being opened (at least that is what the knowledge staff in Isetan kept on insisting!)
I'm assuming that the hold temperature is quite cool - but actually I have no idea. I'm only going on the fact that often bags arrive on the baggage carousel quite cool - but perhaps that is only during the winter months. Does anyone know what the temperature would be like on a long flight from Tokyo to London?
Arigato
Probably not strictly for the BA forum - but it's the only forum I really use and I do normally fly with BA (hope this is ok).
I'm hoping to take some special kinds of Japanese sake back from Japan. These particular types are supposed to be kept refrigerated before being opened (at least that is what the knowledge staff in Isetan kept on insisting!)
I'm assuming that the hold temperature is quite cool - but actually I have no idea. I'm only going on the fact that often bags arrive on the baggage carousel quite cool - but perhaps that is only during the winter months. Does anyone know what the temperature would be like on a long flight from Tokyo to London?
Arigato
They are made of bubble wrap material inside thick plastic, then the ends seal like ziploc bags and then fold over to seal again with velcro. I have found them excellent for transporting bottles of wine and spirits back as they protect it from blows and also should be watertight in the event of a break - I have not had to test that yet but they are pretty difficult to unseal!
The bubble wrap material should give a helpful layer of insulation, and with them being well-sealed (so no air flow) should keep the cold in if the bottle is cold in the first place. I would then wrap thoroughly in more clothes to add as much insulation as possible and make sure it's in the middle of the suitcase away from the sides. I think that should stay pretty cold even if the suitcase is somewhere warm for some of the journey.
In terms of size/shape, I have managed to get a 1L bottle of Bombay Sapphire in there which is square and fairly fat, but it was a tight fit. They aren't going to fit something *very* short and squat. If there's a box that would have to be packed separately.
There are also inflatable types but they don't seal as well and would need you to take a small pump as well.
Feb 5, 2019, 5:02 am
#22
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Feb 5, 2019, 5:28 am
#23
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Feb 5, 2019, 6:15 am
#24
Join Date: Nov 2010
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These pages would be filled with complaints. BA made me make my own Sashimi, BA made me put my hands in a tank of Piranhas or even "how many Avios do I get for eating the tropical fish instead of the beef which ran out.
Feb 5, 2019, 6:25 am
#25
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: France
Posts: 41
The hold temperature may vary depending what other cargo is being carried, which could be cold for perishables or warm perhaps for live animals.
Further to previous comments, one of the most interesting challenges I recall was for a tank in the hold for live fish!
Further to previous comments, one of the most interesting challenges I recall was for a tank in the hold for live fish!
Feb 5, 2019, 6:56 am
#26
Join Date: Aug 2012
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If you do go the ice or cold pack route, do check with the airline about appropriate chilling materials allowed because some of them are not. These rules are typically written with sport fishing and hunting in mind (I live in a sport fishing region and common to see people checking coolers of dead fish to take home with them)
Feb 5, 2019, 7:20 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2001
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I get melted chocolate on my fingers if I am too slow eating it, so it does melt at approx. 37 degrees centigrade, possibly lower. 
Given the Australian baggage handlers' apparent/alleged favourite activities of of leaving suitcases out in the blazing sun, and my suitcases being dark, it's possible that the internal temperature of the suitcase might reach something fairly inhospitable even to Tim Tams
(In fact, they did melt on my previous, identical itinerary, hence the preparation.)
Given the Australian baggage handlers' apparent/alleged favourite activities of of leaving suitcases out in the blazing sun, and my suitcases being dark, it's possible that the internal temperature of the suitcase might reach something fairly inhospitable even to Tim Tams
(In fact, they did melt on my previous, identical itinerary, hence the preparation.)
Feb 5, 2019, 8:57 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: UK
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I confess to knowing nothing of Sake...but I do know that you shouldn't put a slab of bottled beer in the unpressurised, unheated hold in the nose of a small private jet tucked in just above all the avionics.
Feb 5, 2019, 9:34 am
#29
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London
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I believe the hold temperature is usually 5C. I often travel with bottles of wine in a checked bag and they have never been adversely affected. Also I once compared my experience with a Master of Wine on the same flight; she routinely did this, travelling on various different aircraft, and none of the bottles she packed were harmed at all.
Feb 5, 2019, 9:35 am
#30
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