V-Flyer

Now that Delta/Air France/KLM have announced that they will start charging $200 for two luggage bags return, $120 for one, how long before Virgin follows?
https://www.headforpoints.com/2017/12/2 ... sale-2018/
Also does this devalue reward flights with the baggage fee added with the taxes after miles cost? Happy Christmas from Virgin / Delta...
Or am I just being cynical and old fashioned and a no luggage, 10k carry on limit for transatlantic fare is nothing to be concerned about and normal for no frills travel today?

Welcome to V:Flyer.

Until you read an official announcement from VS, there's little point worrying about things that may or may not happen....and just because one airline does something, doesn't automatically mean to say another will do the same.

Remember that Delta have been charging for checked luggage for several years now.

I’d say it’s only a matter of time until a luggage charge comes in... (it was omitted from a recent announcement too which arose my suspicions!)
Enjoy the free checked bag whilst it’s still there, as removing it seems to be the way the industry is going!

I think some of your need your tinfoil hats checking

Isn't Delta's announcement related to their "basic economy" fare class?

If BA introduce a "basic" Economy fare with pay-extra luggage, you can bet VS will follow suit pretty quick. Given that VS use the Delta IT system, if should be geared up for implementing such ticketing / baggage charges quite easily & quickly.

As long as BA remains a full-service airline on all Economy tickets, VS will remain as they are in order to compete. But as we see with sales / surcharge amount changes etc, one always follows the other "to remain competitive", as to collude would be highly illegal.

Kraken wrote:If BA introduce a "basic" Economy fare with pay-extra luggage, you can bet VS will follow suit pretty quick. Given that VS use the Delta IT system, if should be geared up for implementing such ticketing / baggage charges quite easily & quickly.

As long as BA remains a full-service airline on all Economy tickets, VS will remain as they are in order to compete. But as we see with sales / surcharge amount changes etc, one always follows the other "to remain competitive", as to collude would be highly illegal.

But BA does offer 'basic' hand baggage only fares on many of it's short haul routes. Also on short haul in economy it is all 'buy on 'board' catering. It is no longer a full service airline for many passengers.

Same with many US airlines. What is changing is these types of fare being offered on long haul routes.

tontybear wrote:But BA does offer 'basic' hand baggage only fares on many of it's short haul routes. Also on short haul in economy it is all 'buy on 'board' catering. It is no longer a full service airline for many passengers.

Same with many US airlines. What is changing is these types of fare being offered on long haul routes.

I am aware of the BA fares that you mention & should have been more specific - I was referring to long-haul routes only (Apologies!) I fully agree that BA has ceased to be a full service airline for many in economy on short-haul flying, as they have to compete with the LCC's on many routes.

Personally I can see basic economy fares coming along on long-haul routes in the not too distant future. If you're only going away for a long weekend / few days, then it is easy to manage with just a carry-on size bag which you can easily fit a few days clothes in (especially in summer months / when visiting somewhere warm). The toiletries / liquids are the problem here, due to the 100ml single item limit.

If basic fares did come on long-haul routes, I think they would relate to hold luggage only (i.e. keep the in-flight service as it is). It would be impossible for the crew to remember who has to buy-on-board / gets their food & drink included on a long-haul flight, with 2 aisles & crew rotation during the flight to cover breaks. The on-board service has to either stay as it is, or go completely buy-on-board. Or keep it as it is but offer quite a few buy-on-board extras (like chocolate / sweets, champagne etc) which Virgin already do.