This is the main V-Flyer Forum for general discussion of everything related to flying with Virgin-branded travel companies.
#253231 by cshore
15 Feb 2008, 12:26
Have I got this right?

BAA have now said that two carry-on bags can be taken through security at Heathrow. The usual size restrictions apply, of course.

However, Virgin still only allow Economy and Premium Economy passengers to carry on one bag. Upper Class passengers are permitted two.

Up until the latest restrictions were put in place and everyone (including UC) was cut back to one bag, everybody (including Econ and Premium) was allowed to take a cabin case PLUS another bag e.g. handbag, laptop, briefcase etc.

If I'm reading the website right, VS rules are now that, unless in Upper, you cannot carry a case and a laptop/briefcase.

Is there any reason, other than a naked desire to push people to travel Upper, that Virgin have decided not to restore the two bags rule to other classes?

Of the airlines which could take me to Narita next week...

BA allows two bags out of Heathrow in any class, JAL two bags in any class, ANA I can't work out, Aeroflot will I think let me take two.
Only VS restricts me to a single bag in Premium.

Unless I've read VS's rules wrong (and I would really love to be corrected on this), this really, really hacks me off, I'm afraid. I think it's very, very cheap and nasty.

Chris
#434870 by Darren Wheeler
15 Feb 2008, 12:53
Economy and PE were never allowed 2 bags prior to the restrictions in Aug 06. Up to the latest changes, you were only permitted one carry on item regardless of class and laptops, handbags etc could only be carried provided they could be carried within your carry on allowance.

While it might not be ideal, it is basically back to how it was prior to Aug 06
#434874 by cshore
15 Feb 2008, 13:27
Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Economy and PE were never allowed 2 bags prior to the restrictions in Aug 06. Up to the latest changes, you were only permitted one carry on item regardless of class and laptops, handbags etc could only be carried provided they could be carried within your carry on allowance.

While it might not be ideal, it is basically back to how it was prior to Aug 06


Sorry but I disagree. I fly very regularly with Virgin and have done so for the past 8 years or so. I was always allowed to fly with a cabin case _and_ a laptop/briefcase. As far as I am aware, that was permitted for Economy and Premium. Upper Class passengers were allowed to carry on an additional cabin-case-sized item.

That was the situation up until August 06. Before then, I was never asked to check one of my two items.

After Aug 06, government restrictions meant that everybody, regardless of class of travel, was only permitted one carry on item. That included handbags, purses, briefcases, laptops and cabin cases.

Now, in Economy and Premium, we are still held to that restriction (although they do now say that a purse, small camera etc is allowed in addition to your cabin bag, the rules do seem to be pretty specific about ruling out something like a briefcase or laptop) while Upper Class has been released from it.

Why cannot Virgin go back to the pre Aug-06 rules like most other airlines appear to have done?

Chris
#434876 by HighFlyer
15 Feb 2008, 13:37
Chris, Darren is spot on with the previous restrictions, however, VS were never particularly strict with this. I would frequently travel in PE with a hand luggage case, handbag and laptop bag without issue. I think most of us did, though the rules were listed on the VS website.

If you simply want to take your laptop and a rollaboard onboard in PE I would think you would be fine, however, the rules are clearly listed on the VS website should anyone want to take issue.

Thanks,
Sarah
#434884 by mdvipond
15 Feb 2008, 13:56
Carry On Allowance Ex Heathrow? Is that the one with Kenneth Williams as a cheeky check-in agent and Sid James playing a lecherous security guard?

OK. I'll get my coat...
#434886 by Moonraker
15 Feb 2008, 14:02
Originally posted by mdvipond
Carry On Allowance Ex Heathrow? Is that the one with Kenneth Williams as a cheeky check-in agent and Sid James playing a lecherous security guard?



Did the scanners pick up the daffodil?
#434888 by DarkAuror
15 Feb 2008, 14:11
And was Barbara Windsor asked about some suspect packages she was carrying on her. [;)]

OK, I'll get my coat as well!
#434903 by cshore
15 Feb 2008, 15:49
Originally posted by HighFlyer
Chris, Darren is spot on with the previous restrictions, however, VS were never particularly strict with this. I would frequently travel in PE with a hand luggage case, handbag and laptop bag without issue. I think most of us did, though the rules were listed on the VS website.

If you simply want to take your laptop and a rollaboard onboard in PE I would think you would be fine, however, the rules are clearly listed on the VS website should anyone want to take issue.

Thanks,
Sarah


OK, I'll give in if that was the offical published position. But my gripe still stands. Why can't VS adopt the same position as almost all other airlines flying out of LHR and explicitly allow a briefcase/laptop in addition to roll-on?

To gripe further (!), why is VS's carry-on weight allowance so small? BA allow 2 pieces (in all these cases, the second 'piece' is restricted but laptops are explicitly allowed in this category) up to 23Kg, JAL two pieces up to 10Kg, AA two pieces up to 10 Kg, CO two pieces up to 18Kg, CX two pieces up to 7Kg (more for biz and tier members), SQ two pieces up to 7Kg. I could go on.

VS - 1 piece (no laptop, no briefcase) and up to a measly 6Kg.

Even Ryan Air let me take more on board than that (though it is clear that they have another agenda there!)

But why is VS at the bottom o fthe league here?

Chris
#434904 by Gavin
15 Feb 2008, 15:59
I would guess its down to weight. They have cut back on lots of things over the years to save on this, it was even reported on here once that some non essential emergency equiptment was removed to save weight too.

With the high cost of fuel I suppose its understandable.
#434906 by DarkAuror
15 Feb 2008, 16:08
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by HighFlyer

Chris, Darren is spot on with the previous restrictions, however, VS were never particularly strict with this. I would frequently travel in PE with a hand luggage case, handbag and laptop bag without issue. I think most of us did, though the rules were listed on the VS website.

If you simply want to take your laptop and a rollaboard onboard in PE I would think you would be fine, however, the rules are clearly listed on the VS website should anyone want to take issue.

Thanks,
Sarah

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



OK, I'll give in if that was the offical published position. But my gripe still stands. Why can't VS adopt the same position as almost all other airlines flying out of LHR and explicitly allow a briefcase/laptop in addition to roll-on?

To gripe further (!), why is VS's carry-on weight allowance so small? BA allow 2 pieces (in all these cases, the second 'piece' is restricted but laptops are explicitly allowed in this category) up to 23Kg, JAL two pieces up to 10Kg, AA two pieces up to 10 Kg, CO two pieces up to 18Kg, CX two pieces up to 7Kg (more for biz and tier members), SQ two pieces up to 7Kg. I could go on.

VS - 1 piece (no laptop, no briefcase) and up to a measly 6Kg.

Even Ryan Air let me take more on board than that (though it is clear that they have another agenda there!)

But why is VS at the bottom o fthe league here?

Chris


However the flipside is that you can check in more on a VS flight (which I think is what they advise you do) compare to other airlines.

VS UC/PE 3 x 32kg, EC 2 = 23 x 2kg
BA First and Club World 3 x 23kg, Economy 2 x 23kg
SQ to US all classes 2 x 32kg (extra bag if you're member of PPS or KrisFlyer Gold)
#434910 by HighFlyer
15 Feb 2008, 16:42
Originally posted by DarkAuror

However the flipside is that you can check in more on a VS flight (which I think is what they advise you do) compare to other airlines.

VS UC/PE 3 x 32kg, EC 2 = 23 x 2kg
BA First and Club World 3 x 23kg, Economy 2 x 23kg
SQ to US all classes 2 x 32kg (extra bag if you're member of PPS or KrisFlyer Gold)


Its not quite as straightforward as that on the VS side to be fair, as some destinations are 'by weight' not 'by piece', and PE doesnt have a three piece allowance, only two. See here for luggage allowance by piece and and here for baggage by weight, from the VS website.

I still maintain that a laptop falls into the 'personal item' category, especially given that the vast majority travel with one nowadays,

Thanks,
Sarah
#434911 by jimbob247
15 Feb 2008, 16:47
If everyone took a small wheely and a laptop bag there wouldn't be much space in the racks...
#434912 by cshore
15 Feb 2008, 16:52
Originally posted by jimbob247
If everyone took a small wheely and a laptop bag there wouldn't be much space in the racks...


Believe me, it would be fine. You only have to take one flight in India to have your eyes opened once and for all over how much stuff you can cram into those bins!

Chris
#434913 by cshore
15 Feb 2008, 16:55
However the flipside is that you can check in more on a VS flight (which I think is what they advise you do) compare to other airlines.

VS UC/PE 3 x 32kg, EC 2 = 23 x 2kg
BA First and Club World 3 x 23kg, Economy 2 x 23kg
SQ to US all classes 2 x 32kg (extra bag if you're member of PPS or KrisFlyer Gold)


But I don't want to check any more. My goal in life is to avoid checking anything, ever, anywhere! I would happily trade my entire checked baggage allowance for an extra 5Kg of carry on...

And it still irks me (sorry if I seem to be bringing out all mr irks in one day today!) that I can be restricted to carrying more than 6Kg through security and then have to stand and watch while someone strains to lift into the rack the 10Kg of stuff they've bought in duty free after security. How does that work? (Apart from the obvious fact that airports make money out of one and not the other!!)

Chris
#434914 by DarkAuror
15 Feb 2008, 17:03
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by DarkAuror


However the flipside is that you can check in more on a VS flight (which I think is what they advise you do) compare to other airlines.

VS UC/PE 3 x 32kg, EC 2 = 23 x 2kg
BA First and Club World 3 x 23kg, Economy 2 x 23kg
SQ to US all classes 2 x 32kg (extra bag if you're member of PPS or KrisFlyer Gold)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Its not quite as straightforward as that on the VS side to be fair, as some destinations are 'by weight' not 'by piece', and PE doesnt have a three piece allowance, only two. See here for luggage allowance by piece and and here for baggage by weight, from the VS website.

I still maintain that a laptop falls into the 'personal item' category, especially given that the vast majority travel with one nowadays,

Thanks,
Sarah


I was trying to base my figures on going to the US which as you said was by piece. PE figures were incorrectly entered by me even though I got the correct ones from VS website.

I invested/got as a freebie from a Microsoft conference, a biggish laptop rucksack that can fit most of my electronic valuables (laptop, camcorder, ds, ipod, laptop charger + power monkey) + book and other little bits that does me very well on flights.
#434937 by slinky09
15 Feb 2008, 20:51
Originally posted by cshore
Originally posted by jimbob247
If everyone took a small wheely and a laptop bag there wouldn't be much space in the racks...


Believe me, it would be fine. You only have to take one flight in India to have your eyes opened once and for all over how much stuff you can cram into those bins!

Chris



Especially when coming through Dubai - boy what they can buy aint fixed to the ground!

On other points, don't forget the extra piece if you're FC Au on certain routes!
#435099 by Jon Morgan
18 Feb 2008, 02:17
When I came out of Heathrow about a month ago (in UC upgraded from PE), I was told I could take my suiter (fold over case thing - you know what I mean - I've always just called it a suiter), I was told I could take it on board with me even though I had my usual carry on with me. I was really surprised, so I asked if it was new, and an Upper thing, and was told yes, but that as I was Gold FC I'd get teh allowance in any cabin.

Which has just stood me in good stead, as I left the 'Accepted as Cabin Baggage' tag on it and just flashed it when I was checking in for the flight back from SF. I'm sitting in the SF Clubhouse right now with it sitting beside me :-)
#435101 by Darren Wheeler
18 Feb 2008, 02:49
It does seem that the rules on carry-on are 'flexible' at best, anything goes at worst. The problem is if you turn up outside your allowance you could find yourself making hard choices on what you can take on and what you are forced to check in and get hit for excess baggage, which ain't cheap.
#435113 by cshore
18 Feb 2008, 10:43
Originally posted by Jon Morgan
...as I was Gold FC I'd get teh allowance in any cabin.



Now I have heard rumours about this before - that Gold card holders are allowed two pieces of carry on in any cabin. But I can't find it documented anywhere on the VS website. Can anyone confirm that this is official VS policy?

Chris
#437025 by cshore
03 Mar 2008, 17:09
To follow up on this one, in case anyone is still interested...

I duly showed up at Heathrow UC checkin with a carry on and a laptop bag. I asked whether it was OK to carry both on and the checkin agent said 'Yes, that's fine. It's two pieces now.'

So, it would appear, if she was right, that you can carry two items and the description on the VS website is unduly restrictive...

Chris
#437352 by clarkeysntfc
06 Mar 2008, 17:46
Seems rather fluid at the moment doesn't it?!

Further to this, for our economy flight LHR-HKG we are limited by weight to 23kg checked-in luggage. Does this mean that we can only take one piece each, with a max weight of 23kg or can we take (in theory) as many pieces as we like provided 23kg per passenger is not exceeded?

This doesn't seem quite as clear as LAX-LHR where it's 2 pieces each, no more than 23kg per piece.
#437354 by Pete
06 Mar 2008, 19:00
I think the published rules are there so they can restrict the amount carried on if the flight is going to be chokka. Regardless of those Indian flights, if everyone takes on the largest possible roll-on, plus laptop bag, the bins do get full (and tempers fray when you find the bin above your head has been taken by someone who's sitting at the back of the plane). The reason there's no need for that kind of restriction in Upper is because there are less passengers. It's easier to point at the rules if it needs to be enforced rather than say you can't take the bags on when the website says you can.

On a separate note, regardless of the quantity, I wish people didn't take on overweight carry-ons. If that isn't placed above their own head, they are putting other people at risk if there's a bad case of CAT and it falls out. There have been cases of brain damage caused by overweight bags fallen on a third party's noggin. Hate it when someone is shoving a clearly heavy bag into the bin above my own seat. Grrrr...
#437403 by Roxy-Popsy
07 Mar 2008, 22:14
I interpreted the rules for my flight to JFK in PE on Monday as 1 carry on, no heavier than 6k & the restricted measurements, AND a handbag of normal girly size. I was told this was fine.

On previous occasions when VA were being VERY strict, I had my single piece of luggage weighed & it was a tad over so I took out the 500ml bottle of water that I drink whilst waiting in the security queue, put it in my pocket & was told that all was fine.

As a point of interest,a friend was flying out to JFK with AA in econ & we checked their carry on weight & it was 18k. We read it several times to make sure that we had read it correctly.
Virgin Atlantic

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 157 guests

Itinerary Calendar