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British Airways
British Airways, the national carrier, is a full-service airline, but regularly offers fares that can only be described as "budget". BA is the UK's largest international scheduled airline with an extensive global route network.
- Check-in times: vary according to airport. The shortest is 20 minutes before departure at the smaller airports and the longest is 45 minutes for most long-haul flights. You can also check-in online (choose seat and print a boarding pass) 24 hours before your flight, or with the self-service machines at the airport. "Fast bag drop" machines are available in many airports to drop off any hold luggage if you've used online or self-service check-in.
- Baggage allowance: varies by class of travel. In line with current security regulations, one piece of hand luggage is allowed, no bigger than 56x45x25cm. On UK domestic flights the limit is one piece of hold luggage, not exceeding 23kg (51lbs) or dimensions of 158cm (62in) for adults and infants. On European and some international routes, World Traveller and Euro Traveller flyers have one bag up to 23kg; Club Europe and World Traveller Plus are allowed two bags while First and Club World flyers are allowed three bags. On flights to the US, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Brazil, Nigeria, Caribbean and Central America, those in World Traveller and World Traveller Plus can check two bags, First and Club World flyers, three bags. The maximum weight per bag is 23kg. Infants also have a baggage allowance of one bag up to 23kg. Excess baggage charges vary, but there is a 30 per cent discount if paid online. On UK domestic flights excess baggage charges are £30 per bag (or £21 per bag with the online discount), on short-haul routes the charge is £60 per bag (£42 with online discount), and on long-haul routes £120 per bag (£84 including online discount). Pack carefully…
- Change the passenger name or flight: name changes are not permitted. Flight changes depend on the fare. In general, the cheaper the flight, the more restrictions there will be. The date and time of the flight can be changed online at the "Manage my Booking" section or by calling the reservations number.
- Child fares: there are no child discounts on UK domestic and short-haul flights with the exception of flights to Larnaca, Budapest, Tel Aviv and Domodedovo (Moscow) where children pay 75 per cent of the adult fare. Lap infants pay 10 per cent of the ticket price. Infants in their own seat are charged the full child or adult rate (depends on the route). On long-haul flights, child fares are 75 per cent of the adult fare. As with short-haul flights, lap infants pay 10 per cent and infants occupying a seat pay 75 per cent of the adult fare.
- Pre-assigned seating: some customers can choose their seats at the time of booking and change at any time until they have checked in. These are: Gold and Silver Executive Club members; oneworld Emerald and Sapphire equivalents, and other passengers on the same booking; FIRST Passengers; customers holding fully flexible tickets booked in J/C/W/Y booking classes; those travelling with infants and customers with disabilities. Passengers travelling with children, unaccompanied children and sporting or school groups have their seats allocated three days before departure. Seats can be changed at check-in. For all other travellers, BA allocates seats at check-in. The airline advises that the best way to choose seats is to check-in as early as possible.
- Legroom: depends on class of travel. On domestic flights, in Euro Traveller and in World Traveller class, the seat pitch is 78cm (31in); Club Europe, 86cm (34in); in Club World (Business Class) it is 185cm (73in); in World Traveller Plus, it is 96cm (38in).
- In-flight service: you wouldn't be flying BA if you didn't get a pretty tasty in-flight snack or meal. Television programmes are shown on short-haul and long-haul routes and films are shown on all long-haul routes. You can even find out in advance which film will be playing on your flight by checking online.
- Arrival Airports: well-located.
- Departure airports: Flights leave from 30 airports in the UK and Ireland, including all five London airports.
- Website: www.ba.com
- Telephone number: reservations and general enquiries: 0870 850 9850 (Mon-Sun 6am-8pm); flight arrival and departure information: 0870 55 111 55; web support: 0870 850 8504.
Updated September 2007
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www.ba.com
