In light of airlines trying to cover and recoup fuel costs and hence the tightening up of checked weight, has anyone been charged for excess baggage yet?

Especially those travelling Australia - Europe.

Penny, I know that Qantas on domestic flights do not charge excess baggage, they just refuse to carry anything over the limit.

Thanks Missie.

I haven't flown Qantas since 1997. They are not even near my list of preferred airlines.

I may just have to wear all my 3 outfits on the plane at the same time.... that would be such a good look.

quote:

Originally posted by Penny1:
Thanks Missie.

I haven't flown Qantas since 1997. They are not even near my list of preferred airlines.

Mine either - if there is any other choice, short of flapping my arms, I choose another carrier

quote:

Originally posted by Penny1:
Thanks Missie.

I haven't flown Qantas since 1997. They are not even near my list of preferred airlines.

I may just have to wear all my 3 outfits on the plane at the same time.... that would be such a good look.

Penny ~ Within Australia I don't care which airline I use, I go with the best price, but for overseas, where possible I fly Singapore Airlines.

Three outfits, that could be interesting, either way I am sure you will look great, and as long as it gets you on the plane without excess who cares.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Missie,

What concerns do you have regarding flying with Qantas? I was looking at the airlines that will get us over for our next tour. Qantas will get us closer than Air NZ.

Hi, Jeanette,

my main concern with QANTAS used to be price. They dragged their heals with competitive airfares in Australia and abroad. They did not budge with price until they had competition; then miraculously they were able to reduce their airfares overnight. Retail bullies are not my best friends.

Now, it is simply attitude and service. The last time I flew with QANTAS I received off hand, disgusting service from staff with a poor attitude. Those damn customers just kept getting in the way of the attendants efforts to have a rollicking good time in the Galley.

I like to spend my money where at least the customer is treated with a smile and genuine service.

If QANTAS goes to where you need to go, there will be a better, well trained and appreciative airline that flies to the same destination.

I quite like Air New Zealand. Not my favourite though.

We have flown Qantas many times and have always found them very good. The crew have been attentive & friendly and the meals pretty good (for airline food). Air NZ are of much the same standard. Cathay Pacific were good too but only flown them once. Recently flew LAN to South America - never again. Food crappy, crew very unfriendly (became a game between us to get one to smile) and the entertainment system only had 4 movies (for 30 odd hours of flying). Even worse the plane did not have individual systems on the way back so we had 1 movie (which we had watched on the way over) for a 13 hour flight. They also had us seated separately and it took a LOT of effort to get it changed. They didn't really give a damn.
I have to say though that I do not get quite the same attention on any airline if I am not travelling with my husband who has a much higher frequent flyer standing. I know they look after their good customers but it does irritate me a little!

quote:

Originally posted by Missie:
Penny, I know that Qantas on domestic flights do not charge excess baggage, they just refuse to carry anything over the limit.

Is this even if a passenger connects to/from an international flight? We are flying BC back to Aussie so have a higher luggage allowance but then doing a domestic flight to Canberra with I would presume the usual economy limit. What happens then?

quote:

Originally posted by augusta:
We have flown Qantas many times and have always found them very good. The crew have been attentive & friendly and the meals pretty good (for airline food).

You have been very lucky to have had such good experience(s) with QANTAS. They are just about the last carrier I would choose & that decision is mainly based on the total inattentiveness of the staff their attitude at times borders on rudeness. My TA actually steers her customers away from QANTAS as her opinion of them is so low.

My absolute favourite airline is Singapore Airline followed by Cathay.

quote:

then doing a domestic flight to Canberra with I would presume the usual economy limit. What happens then?

It is some time since I did this but my experience is that if your flights are connecting and with the same airline they will normally give you the international allowance on the domestic flight, even if you have to collect your baggage to clear customs. Just show them your international boarding pass.

However it is worth checking, particularly if you are changing airlines.

Thanks Tangata - we had the same experiences too previously but it has been a while and hence the question. We are changing airlines so we will probably call Qantas to check

Singapore Airlines is one I looked at as they will fly us direct to Copenhagen (apart from a quick stop-off entroute). I haven't checked Cathay yet but will do so to see if they fly direct too.

Thanks Dimpz & Penny1 for your information.

quote:

Originally posted by NZ Nurse:
I haven't checked Cathay yet but will do so to see if they fly direct too.

I personally would steer clear of Cathay.

We have flown with them twice, the first time they damaged one of of our two bags beyond repair. Compensation - they paid ¼ part to replace the bag, we had to pay the other ¾ balance. We were NOT HAPPY about that!!!!

The second (and last) flight, they damaged my wheelchair. They repaired it at their cost, but as it was my legs, they lent me one of their airport wheelchairs, that I could not wheel myself, I needed someone to push me around Hong Kong for 4 days!!

Sorry, but they are equal on the bottom of my list with United Airlines. Given the choice, we will never fly with either of those 2 airlines again!!!!

Airlines seldom handle their own baggage. It is normally packed into containers and loaded/unloaded by an agent, in many cases the agent is common to all airlines.

Whilst damage could occur whilst in flight, it is much more likely to happen during loading or unloading.