Baggage Allowances to Change from 23 Sep

From 23 September 2009 Virgin will be changing their checked-in baggage policy. They will be moving to a piece policy for the whole of the network. The new policy will make it easier for passengers to understand allowances and excess charges on all routes.

USA, Carib, Kenya, Nigeria
Eco: 2x23kg PreEco 2x23kg Upper: 3x23kg
All other international destinations
Eco: 1x23kg PreEco 2x23kg Upper: 3x23kg

Excess Charges:
Bags weighing anything above 23 kilos up to a maximum of 32 kilos:
GBP35/USD50 all classes
Additional bags over free allowance up to 23 kilos:
GBP90/USD150 all classes

Can a passenger pay for any additional charges before arriving at the airport?At present, all additional charges will be collected at the airport. They will begin to offer the facility for passengers to pay via VS website by early 2010.

Will Flying Club Gold card holders still have an additional allowance?
Flying Club Gold card holders will be able to take one extra piece of baggage weighing up to a maximum of 23kilos in addition to their free allowance.

What if the passenger booked prior to 23 September but is travelling on or after 23 September?
If the customers ticket was issued prior to 23 September and they arrive at the airport with baggage that exceeds the new policy, where appropriate Virgin will honour the original policy at check in.

It's great they've changed it for places like South Africa and China but I am little annoyed that Upper and Premium to the USA has fallen to 23kg instead of the 32kg.

Easier for pasengers to understand allwances and excess charges? Sorry for me this stinks. My cases are always around the 28-30kg mark so for me the reduction in the UC allowance (because that's what it is except on non USA, Carib,Kenya, Nigeria routes) is a real pain (given most of my travel is USA/Caribbean).

[Neil]

I agree with DL, moving the UC baggage limit from 32 to 23kg is not good. We prefer to take 1 case each, weighing say 25/26kg, than have to split it in to 2 cases. This means for our future flights we will have to take 4 cases, rather than 2, surely this is going to be more work for VS?

I would LOVE to know who thinks this supposedly 'easier/better' ideas up, they really do seem to be so out of touch with the pax,

I think this is positive as a whole. Much simpler and it is good to see the limits not dropped to 20Kg. I don't really understand why you would want to put 32Kgs in one bag anyway - my bags are usually 21/22Kgs. This will also help them deal with baggage handlers as there is a future risk of strikes over heavy bags.

quote:Originally posted by McMaddog
I don't really understand why you would want to put 32Kgs in one bag anyway - my bags are usually 21/22Kgs.

Because as Neil has said it saves the need for decanting into another bag.28-30 kgs is pretty usual for me. Admittedly I don't travel light (that's what LCCs are for)[:)].

I can't say much especially after doing a two week US holiday taking only one 11kg bag. [:w]

[:X]

Going to have to buy one of those travel scales now as it isn't easy to get the weight balance correct on the return trip. Very embarassing to have to move things between bags at the UC check in!!![:I]

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
I can't say much especially after doing a two week US holiday taking only one 11kg bag. [:w]

[:X]


[:0] That's nearly what my hand baggage weighs.

quote:Originally posted by maz
Going to have to buy one of those travel scales now as it isn't easy to get the weight balance correct on the return trip. Very embarassing to have to move things between bags at the UC check in!!![:I]


You can buy a set of scales from the Retail Therapy onboard.

[:D]

[Decker]

'cos when you're travelling solo one bag is a LOT easier to manage

EEK ! reducing the PE/UC baggage is not good. Nothing to do with baggage handler safety - thats why the 32KG limit was introduced and enforced.

If this is a way to try and reduce costs / increase revenue mayube they should start to strictly enforce the existing limits for those who exceed them rather than penalise everyone.

But the change will be good for when(ever!) I fly to OZ. 30KG would not be enough on the way back !

Am glad though that it looks like it will only affect bookings made after the 23rd Sept (have I read that right?) In any case I'll print out the details of whats on bookings page as evidence for my flights on the 24th & 30th September - I am planing on using up the full 96KGs !

[preiffer]

For J passengers, that stinks. Sorry, BAD move VS. [n]

Well I am over the moon, 3 bags at 23kgs for UC going to SYD. Thanks very much, I will be able to take so much home 6 months earlier than planned. [y] Slight pain that the bag can't go over 23kgs but something I can live with!

DMB

quote:Originally posted by preiffer
For J passengers, that stinks. Sorry, BAD move VS. [n]


No maybe it doesn't. Maybe they have worked out that most of the buisness people who travel in Upper rarely take that much luggae and most leisure take 2x 32kg so making it 3x 23kg is just as good.

The only ray of sunshine in all of this is the removal of the amazing per kilo excess prices on South Africa, China and other routes.

[honey lamb]

It's no skin off my nose, to be honest, as I always try to travel light and pack an extra bag for the return (after years of buying extra bags [:w]

quote:Originally posted by Tinkerbelle
I can't say much especially after doing a two week US holiday taking only one 11kg bag. [:w]

[:X]

I have a friend who teaches packing classes in California and can also take an 11kg bag for a three week holiday. She says the secret is in co-ordination. Mind you her wardrobe does tend towards beige, beige and yet more beige with a bit of orange thrown in! [:0]

A bottle of Travel Wash also works wonders! [:p]

[honey lamb]

Better than wearing beige interminably! [:D]

At least IWOOT is 20 miles per right now. 2 sets of luggage scales coming up...I do not understand how to travel light even with a washing machiene in our holiday home.

Just been having a think and a look - all figures are for UC or Business class equivalent but don't take into account any status extras that may be available. Apols if any are wrong.

VS are currently 3*32 = 96 but will be 3*23 = 66 which is what BA offer. UA is 2*32 = 64 so not much difference there. AC is 3*32 = 96 (i.e. what VS do now)

Given that I fly mainly to the US and Canada on holiday (and shopping is a big part of my holidays) the luggage allowance will come into play more given that and onboard service are just about the same for all carriers. The one time I flew Zoom I was constantly asking myself 'if I buy this what will the weight be' and it putting a slight dampner on the trip so the baggage allowance is important.

I can see what inkiboo is saying about 'proper' business class travellers not needing a large allowance but there is a market (and a growing one) for non business people (like me!) to fly in the business class cabin and VS could use this as part of its promotions.

Anyway, how about a v-flyer badged luggage weigher?

I struggle with carrying 16KGs... It felt so heavy, I was sure it was over.
The idea of travelling with 32kgs per case is amazing - does that not include the kitchen sink?

[Nottingham Nick]

I'm with Sealink here. I can't imagine it's any fun lugging a case > 23kg about, even just from car to the check-in and to the hire car. [8D]


Nick

Not impressed at all. Ours are usually around 26-28 kilos.

I'm not overly happy either - I prefer taking 1 case with me (UC), it's easier for me to pull through the airport, now I'll have to take 2 cases (or pay the excess charge).

have VS put this on their website yet?
regardless I'm sure people won't realise and face charges at the airport; is it wrong that I'm thinking of the excess I'll make at work?!