Peter of York,

I thought that to, but on our last holiday in September from Bristol to Antalya and return, there was a chap across the isle from us in the extra legroom seats Row13 and he was not what you called able bodied, because I saw him just about being able to walk, it made me wonder how on earth he was able to get away with having those seats. That was flying with Thomas Cook.

Angie.

You are supposed to be over 16 and able bodied to sit by the emergency exit extra leg room seats. I managed to get one (pure luck!) and the air hostess explained to me about an emergency etc. They need able bodied people to help with the door and basically not block the way.

i second that, as i tried to get 1 of these seats when i was 5 mths pregnant so i could stretch my legs more but they refused and said it wasnt suitable for me

Medical seats are alloted by many airlines nomally on the bulk head away from emergency exits for obvious reasons. My point is that the seats have been crammed too close together as a general lay out don't you think ?

airline seats on the whole are quite generous when you consider the minimum pitch as laid down by the CAA and FAA is 27 inches even on long haul, in the UK the shortest pitch i have seen is 28 inch and usual 29/31 for cattle class and 33/36 for premium

My point is that the seats have been crammed too close together as a general lay out don't you think ?

Without being flippant just how much room are you prepared to pay for?

Airlines could remove every other row, that would give great leg room. But then they would charge you more than double for doing so, that would also increase the number of flights. But then the green lobby want less flights, not more. If those campaigning have their way then holiday flights could easily become the preserve of the wealthy few.

Apologies to the Mods - This is turning into a debate which is not the purpose of HT.

fwh

Back to the subject of Baggage Charge Extras. My main concern is that holidaymakers may un wittingly turn up at the airport having not selected or paid to take a suitcase with them (assuming as I did that it was mandatory to take a suitcase) only to find that they are going to be charged an exorbitant amount in excess baggage charges which ultimately comes out of their holiday spending money - not the best start to a holiday - hopefully the airlines will sho wsome leniency in the transition period or will decide to boot out the charges as un ethical and un popular!!

Much to my surprise, despite dire warnings I'd been given Thomas Cook didn't even weigh my hand luggage on my flight to Monastir last month. As I'd already weighed it with the Balanza luggage scales I knew I would be OK but was surprised how relaxed they seemed. My next flight is with BA, who give a full 23kg hold luggage allowance and the same for hand luggage, as long as you can lift it into the overhead locker. I can't actially imagine anyone wanting to take that amount of hand luggage, I certainly wouldn't, but at least it saves the stress of worrying about being a bit over the normal 5kg.

I just wish all the airlines would agree on the size and weight of hand luggage allowed and stick to it, they seem to vary so much at present.

You 'can't imagine anyone wanting to take that much weight of hand luggage' - Oh! Aslemma,I think that you can!!! Jenny x

Yes I can my love, but didn't feel this was the place to name and shame!! Anyway, I meant normal holiday makers, not those who go away for six months, support a couple of villages and take out enough sweets for local children to keep the dentists gainully employed for months!!

about baggage have been told today someone was charge baggage allowance two people one case
said they were over wieght do you need a case for each person now

Welcome to the forums TREVANN.

Baggage allowances and conditions vary according to airline or tour operator. It might be best if you visit our AIRLINES & AIRPORTS forum and check out or post in the dedicated Q&As topic for the airline you are travelling with.

David

some airlines have had the one bag per person rule for a while now, others will let you combine provided no one bag weighs over their max wt per bag [ 30kg in some cases 15kg others and most are 23kg]

wizard

Strange how topics take on a life of their own. This one started because the OP was complaining at the allowance. We discuss baggage allowances every year elsewhere on HT. Each time people complain that it is not enough.

Perhaps people do need to start thinking a little more about what they actually need. At one time , like others, we seemed to pack everything but the kitchen sink - probably because it would be a major task to dismantle it - until we booked a holiday and found we only had 15kgs. We had to rethink what we took if we did not want to pay excess charges. Since then we have managed quite well - much of what people take is just in case. When I was out walking or canoeing and leading the party then my pack was heavy. I needed to take the things needed in an emergency. Now I only do it for pleasure I carry a lot less - although I will confess to still packing a rope.

Read HT and there are many tips on how to pack all you need and stay within the limits. My youngest, who manages to rack up the airmiles has a simple policy. Pack the minimum and if you really need it buy it there. Excess luggage charges are more than that extra sun cream that you find you did not need.

I will remind everyone that you are getting what you asked for when you filled in the questionnaire. You said you wanted extra leg room, extra luggage, even mobile phones - and very importantly said you were willing to pay extra for these things.

Well guess what? You are getting what you asked for.

So what is your complaint?

fwh

For those who don't mind going d.i.y., Lowcost are offering reasonably priced flights including baggage allowance. I've just had a look at a flight for next May and the price is over £30 cheaper than Thomas Cook's basic and includes baggage allowance of £32 which equates to TC's own £16 baggage cost e/w for flight only bookings.

I'm about to book seats for next July from Gatwick to Dalaman with Onur Air. Booked direct, 3 seats cost £678 including 15Kg baggage allowance and pre-booked seats. I've just checked Low Cost and the same flights, without pre-booked seats, are £778 so it's always worth double checking the price with the airline direct!

Cazz

You do indeed need to check all options to get the best price. In the past I've booked direct through the airline and through travel companies and on a coiuple of occasions direct would have been more expensive.