British Airways (BA) is planning to add up to GBP240 to the cost of a return long-haul flight if passengers want to check in an extra bag.
Travellers on shorter international trips will face a bill of GBP120 and those on domestic journeys, GBP60.
Analysts said the tactic allowed BA to cover costs – and possibly to ease its move to Heathrow Terminal 5 next year.
Yet BA said it would make exceptions for passengers who “cannot comfortably carry” one heavy bag.
Until now, customers have been allowed to check in more than one bag as long as they did not exceed weight restrictions.
The fees, which apply from 13 February, will be imposed even if the combined weight of the two bags is below the allowance.
However, passengers will be able to carry one piece of sporting equipment free of charge.
From 30 September, the maximum weight of a bag that can be checked-in free of charge will be 23kg – down from the current limit of 32kg.
BA said the new system aimed for a “single allowance system based on the number of bags that can be checked in”.
“Our vision for London Heathrow Terminal 5 is to create the best possible airport experience before you fly,” it said.
“With this in mind, we have announced a new simpler checked and excess baggage policy.”
Passengers will get a 30% discount by paying in advance via the internet.
The extra charge will be GBP168, GBP84 and GBP42 per extra bag for return long-haul, short-haul and domestic flights respectively when booked on line.
BA said that flights to the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Nigeria, Brazil and Mexico would be exempt from the new charges to bring policy “in line with the local government regulations”.
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And passengers flying to any destination will be exempt from the new rules if they cannot easily manage one bag.
“Where it is clear that a passenger cannot manage one bag, we will let them check in an additional bag, or more, provided the total weight is within the 23kg limit,” said a BA spokesman.
The carrier said its “overall baggage allowances remain highly competitive when compared with other airlines”.
“For more than 98% of customers, there is no real change as most people already travel within their free hold and cabin luggage allowances,” it added.
The move has already provoked outrage from consumer groups.
A spokesman for Help the Aged told the Daily Telegraph the news raised “serious issues” for older travellers.
“For many older people, it is important that they can travel independently,” he said. “But many will not be able to manage one bag.”
Budget airlines such as Ryanair already charge passengers for carrying any check-in luggage at all.
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