bmi introduces new cabin baggage policy

bmi, London Heathrow’s second largest airline, is to introduce new cabin baggage rules with effect from Monday 7 January 2008, following the removal of certain restrictions at a number of UK airports by the Department for Transport.

Under the new guidelines passengers travelling in business and premium economy cabins will be able to take two pieces of cabin baggage, while economy cabin passengers are able to take one piece. Individual pieces of cabin baggage must be no larger than 55 x 40 x 23cm and the passenger should be able to lift their bags unaided into the overhead lockers. Rules governing the carriage of liquids remain unchanged.*

In addition, all passengers may also bring one personal item, such as a small handbag, purse, small briefcase, laptop or baby-change bag. Laptops in a thin satchel or slimline briefcase will be considered a personal item but those in a larger computer bag or bulkier briefcase will be counted as a piece of cabin baggage. Personal items are accepted at bmi's discretion.

The policy, which is in line with fellow Star Alliance member airlines, will apply from 7 January at the following UK airports bmi operates from: London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. Other airports will follow once security upgrades are in place. Customers can refer directly to the DfT website (dft.gov.uk) for the latest full list of compliant airports.

For full details of bmi’s baggage policy visit flybmi.com/baggage

* limited amounts of liquids are allowed through security screening subject to the following conditions:

- the liquid is in a container with a capacity no greater than 100ml (or equivalent)
- the containers are all contained within one closed transparent re-sealable plastic bag (such as a re-sealable freezer bag or zip top bag) which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity or 20cm x 20cm
- the contents of the plastic bag fit comfortably within it, and the bag is completely closed
- The plastic bag must be taken out of the cabin bag and placed in a tray for x-ray screening. In this case ‘liquids’ include gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.