Change to rules for boot bags on airlines

Hi all, I take my own boots, but not skis. Previously I've always taken my boots in my boot bag, packed out with clothing to protect them, and then a smaller suitcase, with the combined weight of the 2 bags being 20kg. We've booked this year and are flying with Aer Lingus and apparently the rules have changed now so you're only allowed ONE bag. So I've had to get a new big suitcase to fit my boots in as well as everything else. Apparently they aren't the only airline to do this, jet2 have changed their rules too. I've also been told I can't pay for ski carriage as I don't have skis! Also been told I could risk having 2 bags, but depends who we get checking us in. What's the point of this new rule?? Arghh.

Simple - potential money making for excess baggage and rightly so in my opinion. I make do with one case 20kg and a large ski bag which I pack with outdoor clothing and other essentials. I have to pay for ski carriage, except with Swiss who I am flying with this January. When I fly BA, I pack out the ski bag further to 23kg as they allow one checked bag, and then take boots in hand luggage on board to comply with the limits.
I can only suggest you will now have to do something similar - a large suitcase and hand luggage without skis really should be enough for a week.....if not think about cutting down on your non skiing items (people usually take way too many clothes with them!)

It's more the annoyance that I've had a buy a new bigger suitcase as my small HEAD ski suitcase that I usually take isn't big enough to pack my boots in. Ultimately the amount of stuff I can take hasn't changed, that isn't the issue. I've done many ski trips under the 20kg allowance. However, I'm just not sure what putting it all into one heavier bag actually achieves. Apart from the baggage handlers handing less, but heavier bags, all this serves to do is have heavier bags to lug in the snow up to chalets etc which just isn't practical, whereas having a few lighter bags was much easier to deal with.

Baggage allowances on airlines have become a racket. Aer Lingus have increased their prices quite outrageously in recent times. I was looking at flights to Munich recently and found reasonably priced flights but then the baggage charge added another E80 for a 20kg bag :evil:.

Not a lot you can do other than give the feedback whenever you can and also vote with your feet - if enough customers go elsewhere they will get the message. Ryanair started to pull a similar stunt with golf clubs a few years ago but then found that they were losing passengers or that golfers were hiring in resort losing them lots on carriage charges. They actually reduced their charges back to a slightly less extortionate rate :hunf:.

I just checked, and I'm still allowed to cram as many bags as I can get into the boot of my car when I go in a couple of weeks :twisted: