Lufthansa will restrict passengers to checking in a single suitcase at no cost from next month – but there are no indications that major airlines flying from South Africa will emulate American airlines or budget carriers which already charge for all check-in baggage.
Lufthansa currently allows economy passengers to check in any number of bags up to a maximum of 20kg, but from next month these passengers can only check in one item of baggage, up to 23kg.
From June 1, sloppy packers and big shoppers who choose to check in more than one piece of baggage will have to fork out an extra e50 (about R550) for each piece of extra luggage, rather than paying excess baggage fees based on the current rate of e30 per kilogram. The airline said it was moving to the “piece concept” on its flights rather than the traditional weight-based approach to excess baggage.
However, economy class passengers would also be allowed a single item of carry-on baggage weighing up to 8kg (as well as a laptop).
An SAA spokesman could not be reached for comment , but according to the airline’s website, economy class passengers can check in a maximum of 20kg of baggage at no cost.
British Airways has a similar policy to Lufthansa, restricting economy class passengers to a single check-in bag weighing up to 23kg on most routes – although it does allow for two bags with a maximum combined weight of 23kg on some routes between India, Africa and the US.
British Airways spokesman Stephen Forbes said that to save on fuel costs, airlines were now applying weight and baggage restrictions much more rigorously. “Passengers might think an extra kilogram is insignificant, but it adds up when it is multiplied by up to 300 passengers per flight.”
However, both Lufthansa and BA dismissed suggestions that the new baggage policy signalled a move to ultimately charge for all baggage.
Nevertheless, several US airlines and budget carriers such as Ryan Air and Air Asia have already ditched free baggage allowances and charge around US$25 for the first piece of check-in luggage, with costs rising for all extra checked baggage. Air France also introduced a one free bag check-in limit two years ago.
Several US airlines came in for criticism two years ago when they dumped the free luggage allowance system and started charging passengers for all hold luggage. The move also sparked speculation that some airlines might begin to charge passengers based on their individual weights. - The Mercury