Free check in of baggage due to heavy loads but flight showing as empty?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 318
Free check in of baggage due to heavy loads but flight showing as empty?
I've had an email for my LHR - CFU flight tomorrow saying that BA will check in hand luggage for free due to a busy flight. However when checking loads on Expert Flyer, it's showing as pretty empty across all fares (every bucket is 9). Is there an operational reason for such an email on an empty flight or a mistake on BA's part? Would make life easier to check the baggage, but don't want to get to LHR to find it was a mistake and get charged etc.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,832
I've had an email for my LHR - CFU flight tomorrow saying that BA will check in hand luggage for free due to a busy flight. However when checking loads on Expert Flyer, it's showing as pretty empty across all fares (every bucket is 9). Is there an operational reason for such an email on an empty flight or a mistake on BA's part? Would make life easier to check the baggage, but don't want to get to LHR to find it was a mistake and get charged etc.
It is standard practice at lhr to allow this so there will be no problem.
Less likely for this to be allowed at outstations.
Regards
Tbs
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 318
Thanks for the clarification. During OLCI should I say a bag will be checked or just do it at the bag drop in T5? (as it's a hand-luggage only fare I don't want to be charged!).
#4
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,475
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 318
#6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: living near Malaga
Programs: BA Gold , Mucci recipient. Coffee Drinker, Blue Sky Thinker
Posts: 2,095
If you're on the BA0648 (I am) and currently dont have but would like lounge access please feel free to PM me. Enjoy your trip to Corfu whatever and take a brolly apparently :-(
#7
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Around somewhere
Programs: Gold, Some red card and some hotel cards.
Posts: 702
Maybe because not many people have said they have bags to check into the hold so locker space could be severely limited?. I know Jet2 do this when not many hold bags have been booked on certain flights
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,933
It is also worth noting that the reliability of the availability to buy seats on expert flyer is correlating less well with number of tickets sold currently- with high levels of no-shows airlines are allowing for greater oversales- for example I know from a friend who works at BA that her flight tomorrow is oversold but is showing good availability on EF.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 373
I received the same email on Thursday this week for the BA633 from Athens to LHR yesterday on the 787. The flight was quite busy but certainly not full. I think the 99 upgrade offer to sit in a Club World seat for the 3hr 20 journey was popular.
#10
Join Date: May 2006
Location: 5 miles from EMA
Programs: BD, BAEC Pleb, VS Pleb, Accor Pleb, HHonors Gold, Big White Season Pass
Posts: 5,871
#11
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: BA gold, HHonors diamond, IHG rewards gold
Posts: 122
I'm also on the 648 to Corfu tomorrow, maybe loads are higher than you think if you use representation on this thread!
Bit worried about the brolly comment though I guess I can use it as a parasol if not really needed.
Question regarding checking in hand baggage though- if I do so, which would make my life easier on liquids, will I have to wait until two hours before to bag drop? Last time I got to the airport 2.5 hrs early with luggage I found that it said bag drop wasn't opening until t-2h but first wing didnt comment and let me check in
Bit worried about the brolly comment though I guess I can use it as a parasol if not really needed.
Question regarding checking in hand baggage though- if I do so, which would make my life easier on liquids, will I have to wait until two hours before to bag drop? Last time I got to the airport 2.5 hrs early with luggage I found that it said bag drop wasn't opening until t-2h but first wing didnt comment and let me check in
#13
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,305
I'm also on the 648 to Corfu tomorrow, maybe loads are higher than you think if you use representation on this thread!
Bit worried about the brolly comment though I guess I can use it as a parasol if not really needed.
Question regarding checking in hand baggage though- if I do so, which would make my life easier on liquids, will I have to wait until two hours before to bag drop? Last time I got to the airport 2.5 hrs early with luggage I found that it said bag drop wasn't opening until t-2h but first wing didnt comment and let me check in
Bit worried about the brolly comment though I guess I can use it as a parasol if not really needed.
Question regarding checking in hand baggage though- if I do so, which would make my life easier on liquids, will I have to wait until two hours before to bag drop? Last time I got to the airport 2.5 hrs early with luggage I found that it said bag drop wasn't opening until t-2h but first wing didnt comment and let me check in
#14
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond *, IHG, Couples Romance Rewards
Posts: 2,317
#15
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAGGL, A3G, Accor Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, LHW Sterling
Posts: 1,305