On the surface, it seems the international airlines have started to copy the low budget Europeans as the hold and cabin weight allowances go down and excess-weight charges go up.
On International routes, SAA allow you 8Kg in the cabin and 20Kg in the hold - any extra must be paid for at check in {no opportunity to book ahead online} at the rate of £35/Kg!!!
So , using kitchen scales at friends in Berkshire, I leave 10Kg behind and still find I'm 2Kg over at check-in . . . £70 one way - no exceptions. My necessary paperwork is 15Kg so it's tough, but what can a poor boy do?
Conversation with the aircrew at checkin {I always like to check with the Captain & his crew} reveals that it's not the Airlines that are pulling these extra-revenue-generating stunts, it's the airport authorities!
They take a %age of the excess rates charged, and insist on detailed passenger manifest information to ensure they get their pound of luggage!
So the airlines look like they're the bad guys and the airport authorities get away with it - so far!
