BRITISH Airways passengers will have to pay up to £240 if they want to check in two bags for long-haul return flights.
It means customers could be forced to pay more for an extra item of hold baggage than the cost of their fares.
BA passengers heading from London's Heathrow Airport to Egypt and back may only have to pay £199 for their ticket. But if they take two suitcases, they will have to stump up the new fee.
The change, which comes into effect on Tuesday, will also add £120 on short-haul return flights and £60 on domestic return flights for an extra bag. BA insist the decision was an attempt to "standardise" charges and cut the number of injuries to baggage handlers.
A spokesman said: "In the past, there were different kinds of policy, depending on where you were flying to.
"There were certain destinations where you were allowed one piece of luggage but others where the policy depended on weight.
"We are also reducing baggage weights because there are requirements to try to reduce baggage-handling injuries."
The rule change means BA travellers will only be able to put one bag with a maximum weight of 32kg in the hold, without being charged extra.
And the maximum baggage weight limit will fall to 23kg from September 30.
People who want to check in two bags will pay the new charge, even if the total weight is below the limit. Sports equipment will be exempt.
Passengers will receive a discount on excess baggage until September 30 if they pay in advance online.
Flights to America, Canada, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico will be exempt from the charges. First and club class fliers on long-haul flights can check in up to three bags free, or two in Europe.
Infants will have a hold allowance of one bag, plus a baby buggy and a car seat in all classes on all routes.
Source: The Daily Record
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