Baggage Capacity Management
British Airways carries passenger baggage, cargo and mail on most of its services. To ensure we have space for all these products, space usage is planned and allocated on each service and adjusted as the passenger loading changes.
Special Products in BA World Cargo (BAWC) manage this process and they need to know when passengers are planning to carry additional baggage, or baggage that is ‘out of gauge’ (larger than normal suitcases) to ensure space is available on the aircraft when they check-in.
Baggage is loaded either in containers (AK/LD3) or in bulk, or both. The AK/LD3 and hold doors have limiting dimensions, so the size of a piece of baggage is also important. The planning process also requires details of the dimensions (length x width x height) of any ‘out of gauge’ baggage. AK/LD3 maximum dimensions 147x145x155cm (59x58x62ins).
A volume of 4 cubic metres has been established as the critical mass of any ‘out of gauge’ or excess baggage, when BAWC Special Products need to be notified. This is equivalent to 6 touring cycles, or 40 suitcases. Therefore if a passenger, when making a booking, identifies that they will be carrying any items in excess or larger than the following limits, BAWC Special Products need to be advised so they can ensure space is protected.
Items that need special handling due to their size (volume) or weight include: TV camera equipment, orchestral instruments, sports equipment (especially windsurfers, kayaks, diving equipment etc.) and diplomatic mail.
Maximum Piece Weight
The maximum individual piece weight of 32kg (70lbs) has been determined for passenger baggage to ensure lifting resources are available, by the departing, transfer and arrival stations within Health & Safety guidelines. Items in excess of 32kg (70lbs) must be repacked into lighter units or referred to BAWC for carriage. Where items cannot be broken down into lighter units, the departure station must confirm that shipment of any piece greater than 32kg (70lbs) may be handled by the transfer and/or arrival station
Space Protection Limits
When passenger baggage exceeds the following limits, BA World Cargo Special Products must be advised:
USA / European or UK Domestic flights:
A total shipment in excess of 300kg (660lbs) - equivalent to 4 cu m.
(4 touring cycles)
All other flights:
A total shipment in excess of 200kg (440lbs) - equivalent to 3 cu m
(3 touring cycles)
Group movements involving large or heavy pieces travelling as baggage (i.e. marching bands or orchestras) will require specialist load planning and additional stowage units. when BAWC Special Products are advised of any groups of passengers with large amounts of baggage, they will liase with the Airport Duty Managers or Terminal Operations Manager at LHR and LGW to ensure the required handling resources are available.
When it is known that large, heavy or additional baggage is being carried by a passenger, this information must be shown in their PNR using a suitable APFAX (e.g. SSR CKIN with text describing the weight/size with details in RMKS).
Example:
1 BA 117 J TU 13NOV LHRJFK HS1 0850 1145 CAB J
AP FAX-1 S1 SSRCKINBANN1 HEAVY BAGGAGE (Passenger 1 for Segment 1)
RMKS- CAMERA EQUIPMENT 50PCS 500KG
2. ITEMS 1-20 DIMS 20X20X20CM 5KGSEACH
3. ITEMS 21-40 DIMS 50X40X30CMS 15KG EACH
4. ITEMS41-50 DIMS 60X60X20CMS 10KG EACH
Requests for space protection for large, heavy, outsized baggage or pets as baggage must be advised to:
When travel is from or via LHR, LGW or BHX:
PNRs with ‘out of gauge’ or excess baggage details must be directed to BAWC for space protection on the outbound service. The PNR can be sent direct or via the nearest BA Telesales Centre (RAPPORT in the UK) who will forward to BAWC Special Products - Q/QCS/50
PNRs with pets as baggage details must be sent to BAWC for protection of space on the outbound service and protection of a handling slot for both inbound and outbound pet movements at LHR and LGW. The PNR can be sent direct or via the nearest BA Telesales Centre (RAPPORT in the UK) who will forward to BAWC Reservations - Q/QCD/00
When travel is from or via other BA stations:
Please contact the local BA World Cargo office to protect space on the outbound service (contact details can be found in http://www.baworldcargo.com/stations/index.jsp). For pets arriving as baggage into LHR and LGW, the PNR must also be sent to BAWC LHR to protect a handling slot, this can be sent direct or via the nearest BA Telesales Centre who will forward to BAWC Special Products - Q/QCS/50
Franchise Carriers & Cargo
When travel is on a British Airways franchised carriers, please check that the oversize baggage or pets can be accepted on our franchise carriers.
For more information on British Airways World Cargo please visit www.baworldcargo.com.
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