BA Implements New Boarding Procedures, Reduces Size of Carry-On Bags

A BA 767 taking off from Newark

British Airways announced a new procedure for boarding as well as a reduction in the size of hand baggage that may be brought onto the aircraft.

The most significant change is to the order in which passengers will board.

Effective immediately, passengers will board based on two criteria: first, based on the cabin in which they are traveling, such as first or business, and then in order of Executive Club status.  All other passengers will then be asked to board by seat row number.

Passengers who are accompanying infants or who require extra assistance will continue to board before everyone else.

Explaining that it has “seen an increase in customers travelling with hand baggage that exceeds their allowance,” the London-based carrier is also clamping down on oversized carry-on bags.

All passengers may continue to bring two bags on board including a roll aboard and a personal bag.  The size of the larger bag remains unchanged at 22” x 18” x 10” (56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm) including handles, pockets, and wheels, and it cannot weigh more than 51 pounds (23 kilograms).

The smaller bag may not exceed 16” x 12” 6” (40 cm x 30 cm x 15 cm).  All passengers except those in First and Club World will need to obtain a yellow tag for the smaller bag prior to boarding that indicates to the gate agent that the bag complies with the new size regulations.  The airline asks that the tag be “visible for boarding” and that the smaller bag be placed “under the seat in front of you.”

(Photo: Accura Media Group)