BA changes bag policy

Carry-on bags are a both blessing and a curse - a blessing because you can grab your valise from the overhead and be on your way (without having to wait at baggage claim) and a curse because everybody wants to do just that and there simply isn’t enough room in the airplane.

Now, British Airways is introducing — and enforcing — a new baggage policy. The idea is to reduce passenger queues at airports, and speed boarding. On-time departures are part of any airline’s formula for success.
The changes will take effect from July 5. From then on you’ll be able to take on board one standard-sized bag (22in x 18in x 10in maximum dimensions), and either one briefcase, computer bag or equivalent. The bottom line is that no more than two items can be bought on board. Period. And that briefcase, laptop computer bag or its equivalent has to fit below the seat in front of you.

The changes to the bag rules simplify things – for fliers and airline alike – by consolidating two existing policies that are predicated on the number of bags, or total weight, and depend upon route and class of travel. A British Airways spokesperson tells Cheap Flight News: “Essentially, the new rules simplify things by making the regulations equal for all passengers.” No more guessing. You may not like the rule, but there will be no misunderstanding it.
Checking your luggage? New rules apply to the belly of the airplane too. BA is standardizing its excess baggage charges as of October 11. Bags that exceed a passenger’s free check-in allowance will be charged a flat fee. These charges will apply to all fliers, and are dependent on how long the flight is. The good news is that British Airways contends: “In the majority of cases he new charges will be less than those currently levied.”

U.S. congressman is opposing the use of federal funds to modify airport facilities for Airbus A380

The Airbus A380, long hailed as the "next generation" of air travel, has been hit by news that a prominent U.S. congressman is opposing the use of federal funds to modify airport facilities needed to accommodate the new plane.
Republican John Mica, the chairman of the House of Representatives' aviation subcommittee, says that the airlines that operate the new superjumbo should be the ones to foot the bill for the cost of rebuilding gates to cope with the larger aircraft.

"Until a U.S. airline chooses to acquire and operate the passenger version of the A380, foreign airlines that operate A380 passenger service to and from the United States should pay for any needed infrastructure improvements at the airports they serve," the Floridian representative said.

Mica's argument is disputed by aviation experts, however, who say that the same runway and taxiway improvements and refits to gates will also be needed for the new Boeing 747-800, which has a similar wingspan to the A380 and will be operated by some U.S. carriers.

The result of having federal funding for the project revoked could mean that airlines that will operate the new A380 on routes to and from the U.S. could look to recoup the losses through higher ticket prices or some kind of surcharge.

Verizon is ending its in-flight telephone

Say so long to Airfone. Verizon is ending its in-flight telephone service, at least for commercial airlines, by the end of this year. The move means that 1,000 aircraft will be bereft of in-flight passenger communications, at least communications provided by Verizon. Continental Airlines, Delta, US Airways and United Airlines will be affected.

Verizon will continue to provide Airfone service for corporate and government aircraft, for the time being at least.
In recent years in-flight telephones have been disappearing from airliners, much as pay phones have been vanishing on the ground. Cells are in the ascendant.

Airphone has never been cheap. Domestic calls cost $3.99 for the initial minute, and $4.99 per minute after that. For Verizon subscribers, the rate is $0.69 per minute, or $0.10 per minute for subscribers who pay a $10 monthly fee.
Whether the Verizon move will provide impetus for those who favor in-flight cell phone use remains to be seen.

Trusted traveler program having trouble taking off

A proposed new express lane check-in service for frequent users of air travel services within the United States has run into problems.
The Registered Traveler program idea is being put forward by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in order to speed up security checks for frequent fliers.

The system uses advanced background checking of passengers, who will pay a set fee of $80 to $100 and carry a specialized ID card so they do not have to stand in the same lines at security.

However, many security companies and airport operators have balked at the suggestion that they will have to pay the TSA up to $300 an hour to operate the special lanes, and smaller airports will also need to apportion an entire security lane for trusted travelers, limiting space for regular passengers.
These concerns, among others, have been raised by the Airports Council International and the Air Transport Association, both leading aviation groups. Observers suggest that with such opposition the TSA may find it difficult to push through its proposals.