Families with young children are being unfairly treated by some leading airlines due to restrictive policies on baggage allowances.
A study by the UK’s largest independent travel retailer Cooperative Travel found that on average an infant on holiday requires essential items weighing between 14 to 15kg.
Despite this, only two out of seven of the top airlines used by British holidaymakers provide an additional baggage allowance for infants, leaving parents with very young children subject to high excess baggage charges.
The best carriers for families with young children were Virgin and British Airways, who offer an infant allowance in addition to generous normal baggage allowances (23kg). However, their excess baggage charges were also the highest, ranging from £30 to £120 (charge per bag not kg).
The worst for families was Ryanair which only offers a 15kg baggage allowance and no extra allowance for infants. Parents needing to take extra items have to pay an excess charge of £12 per kg.
Parents also need to be aware that some airlines such as Ryanair, don’t allow passengers to pool or share baggage allowances even when travelling on the same reservations. Even if parents are under the weight allowance combined they could still be charged if they don’t check relevant baggage information before they travel.
Trevor Davis, Head of Retail Distribution with The Co-operative Travel, who moved to raise awareness of this disparity over baggage allowance to help parents planning their next trip abroad, said: “The situation can be confusing and we believe it’s important that families know what charges they might incur before they book. We see this as part of the service a good travel agent should offer, especially for those with young children who may be travelling abroad for the first time.”
Parents could also save money by checking in or booking additional weight/bags whilst making the booking, so it is important that parents understand their options during the booking process.
October 2008 | 
Canvas Holidays 2012
