Airlines react to hand baggage rule changes

UK airlines have begun to react to the recently announced changes to Department for Transport (DfT) rules regarding carrying hand baggage onto flights.

Following the DfT giving the go-ahead for 19 airports around the UK to allow passengers to carry more than one item of hand luggage onto flights, bmi has amended its procedures.

From January 7, the airline will allow passengers in business and premium economy cabins to take two pieces of cabin baggage on board, while those flying in economy class can take one.

However, all passengers will also be able to bring one personal item, such as a small handbag or laptop, on board, though bmi emphasises that items are accepted at its discretion.

In response to the amended DfT rules, Monarch has announced that its rules will remain unchanged, with passengers only allowed to take one item of hand baggage on board their flights.

The DfT ruling comes into force at 19 UK airports on January 7, though the department emphasised that any changes to the amount of luggage to be carried onto flights is at individual airlines' discretion.

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Comments

[Harryand Bill]

There is hardly enough overhead space for one piece of hand luggage per passenger because a lot of space in the overheads is taken up by airline equipment. If you keep any luggage under the seat in front of you the air crew take it off you and stuff it, forcibly, somewhere in the overheads a long way from where you are seated making problems for you to retrieve it when you arrive at your destination. One piece of hand luggage should be plenty for anyone and the airlines should enforce the size restrictions for hand luggage as passengers board! So many times have we seen passengers with huge, heavy, bulky, overweight hand luggage which they obviously did not have with them at check-in (just because they are in too much of a rush and they dont want to wait at baggage reclaim hall).

[Andy Roberts]

If you didn't wait more than two hours for your bags at Luton Airport, if you weren't stung into paying extra for hold bags and if check-in was easier and more efficient then maybe passengers would put their bags in the hold.

Much of the carry-on problem is of the airlines own making.

[Barbara]

I agree with the person who said that hand luggage should be limited to one bag of a certain size and not too heavy for safety reasons, which is reasonable. Yes the lockers are small and sparse, perhaps the airlines might listen to passengers more if we all complained. (I think their toilet facilities also should be revised 2-4 toilets for 80-320 passengers is absurd). People who abuse the one small bag should not be allowed to get away with it! However, if a lady/man has a small handbag/wallet which can sit on lap or placed in basket in the seat in front I think this is acceptable. Golf bags and ski/snow/surf boards should also carry extra costs for those people wishing to take them on board! My daughter recently went skiing in Canada and paid the extra (no problem). Tickets are not cheap on schedule flights so perhaps the airlines should do their bit also and make flying more comfortable for the paying customers and stop treating us like sardines. Give us more leg room, more storage space, helpful staff and make us feel welcome!