How will this affect Divers?

New baggage charges to be introduced by British Airways next week have come under criticism from Help the Aged charity, which says they will hit older customers. 

From Tuesday, passengers face paying up to 240 pounds if they want to check in more than one bag on a long haul return flight.

BA said the new baggage policy, announced last June, would be simpler and only affect 2 percent of its customers.

"We are changing some of our excess baggage policies from next week, but our overall baggage allowances remain highly competitive when compared with other airlines," a BA spokesman said.

Under the new rules, passengers in economy class will be able to check-in one bag weighing 23 kg.

Travellers on long haul flights will have to pay 120 pounds for every extra bag, except for those travelling from the United States, Canada, Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico who will still be allowed two checked bags in line with local rules.

Short haul passengers will be charged 60 pounds per extra bag and domestic travellers 30 pounds.

Up to September 30 this year, customers can get discounts if they pay for any extra bag online, making the cost 84 pounds for long haul, 42 pounds for short haul and 21 pounds for domestic flights.

BA said passengers who had difficulty carrying a single bag would be allowed to check-in more than one case providing the overall weight was under 23 kg.

BA's changes follow similar steps taken by budget airlines. Last year Ryanair introduced charges for check-in luggage to cut costs and speed up the check-in process.

"In some ways they are taking a leaf out of a low-cost airline's book by charging," independent air transport consultant John Strickland told the BBC.

"They are seen as a full service airline and certainly not as a low cost carrier."