British Airways has announced it is to expand its new ‘hand baggage only’ fares from Gatwick, following the success of initial trials, launched last month.
The initial trials – which started on routes to Amsterdam, Dubrovnik, Turin, Jersey and Tunis – were met with such a positive response and uptake when launched in February that the new fare option is to be extended to all thirty-two of Gatwick’s short-haul routes.
Peter Simpson, director for BA at Gatwick said: “The new fares have been very well received by customers and we have now decided to make the discounted prices much more widely available. We are confident that they will prove popular during the busy summer season as short-haul customers continue to take advantage of our generous two-bag hand luggage policy. Those who still want to check in a bag will simply pay the same price they do now.”
Customer hand baggage allowance for British Airways flights is currently one piece of hand baggage (up to 56 x 45 x 25cm) plus a handbag or laptop bag; it is also the same for children, meaning that families will be able to combine allowances to take advantage of the new, cheaper fares when they jet off this summer.
The new fare prices are now available for flights as of the 2nd April 2013. Domestic flights will also be available, with a hand baggage only one way fare to Glasgow now starting at £39. Other routes available will be Genoa (£39 one-way), Barcelona, Nice and Venice – all three starting from £49 one way.
There has been no word yet on whether these ‘hand baggage only’ fares will be extended to BA short-haul routes from other airports.