BA axes free ski & snowboard allowance
BA axes free ski & snowboard allowance

British Airways (BA) is scrapping its free ski and snowboard baggage allowance. The decision has been blamed on "unprecedented economic times".
From October 7, BA passengers will have to pay to take their skis and snowboards if they exceed their baggage allowance, reports The Times. The existing policy allows passengers to take sports equipment free of charge in addition to their luggage allowance, currently a single bag of 23kg per passenger in economy class.
Passengers renting a
ski chalet in France, or travelling to another short haul destination will have to pay £28 if they book in advance online. Should they pay at the airport, this will increase to £35 per pair of skis or a snowboard.
For long haul flights, booking online will cost £32. Those waiting until they get to the airport will have to pay £40.
A spokeswoman for BA said: "Sporting equipment will now be included as part of the customer's free checked baggage allowance on all bookings on or after October 7 2009. Any bag that exceeds the free...allowance will incur an excess baggage fee."
Defending the decision, she added: "Most other airlines already charge for sporting goods. These are unprecedented economic times and we believe this can generate revenue for British Airways and help us return to profitability."
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