MH (temporarily) bans checked luggage

[Mattg]

From today Malaysia Airlines is placing what they call a "temporary limitation" on checked luggage on its flights from Kuala Lumpur to Europe. Economy passengers will only be allowed 7kg of carry-on each, while Business/First passengers can take up to 14kg on board.

From the MH website:

In the interest of safety, Malaysia Airlines currently operates a long route to Europe via Egypt airspace, which combined with temporary unseasonably strong head winds, is limiting the airlines' ability to carry baggage in cargo.
This longer flight path consumes more jet fuel and for safety reasons, Malaysia Airlines has had to impose temporary limitation on checked in baggage allowance. From tonight, 5 January 2016 (until further notice), the airline will only be able to accommodate cabin baggage of up to 7kg – one piece totalling 7kg per Economy Class passengers and two pieces totalling 14kg (up to 7kg per piece) for Business/First Class passengers. Passengers who wish to check in their luggage will be able to do so, however their baggage will only arrive later.
...Connecting passengers travelling on oneworld member carriers with through check in may also have their baggage offloaded due to this operational constraints.

Travel Advisory - Temporary Limitation on Checked In Baggage Allowance for Kuala Lumpur-Europe Sector | Malaysia Airlines

This is really quite bizarre.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

what on earth???

 

[tania73]

Can they not pay their fuel bills - getting closer to bankruptcy. This is really wrong for people already travelling

 

[Himeno]

If they have an range/loading issue due to a "temporary longer flight path", then why not add a temporary tech stop somewhere (like DOH or DXB)?

 

[Mattg]

If they have an range/loading issue due to a "temporary longer flight path", then why not add a temporary tech stop somewhere (like DOH or DXB)?

Your guess is as good as mine...

I'm not sure whether I believe their reasoning though. Why aren't any other airlines affected?

 

[JohnK]

Makes no sense.

What happens to people already travelling who have plans to leave the destination airport immediately? Wait for their luggage to arrive later?

 

[SeatBackForward]

Or it has to do with baggage handlers. If they check weight of carry on, then the fuel story may have some legitimacy (if at all).

If they're not enforcing carry on weight restrictions, then...

 

[Sprucegoose]

Fuel has never been cheaper.

 

[Himeno]

Or it has to do with baggage handlers. If they check weight of carry on, then the fuel story may have some legitimacy (if at all).

If they're not enforcing carry on weight restrictions, then...

If it's baggage handlers, then why only the EU flights? Why not also the Asia flights?

 

[kpc]

Maybd MH have received a security threat re checked luggage? !

 

[opusman]

777-200ER range is 7065 n.m., KHL-CAI-LHR is only 5797 n.m. Must be pretty strong headwinds.

 

[SeatBackForward]

If it's baggage handlers, then why only the EU flights? Why not also the Asia flights?

Precisely, which is why this is bizarre..

 

[Mattg]

Well, it looks like this has just been picked up by the mainstream media:

Malaysia Airlines temporarily bans checked baggage for flights to Europe due to 'safety, strong head winds' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation

One third of this particular article is about the baggage ban (basically just with quotes lifted from the MH website) and the other two thirds is about the airline's other incidents over the past couple of years....

 

[JessicaTam]

This is quite bizarre.

 

[drron]

Whatever their reason for doing this it is reason to not fly MH.
Have felt sorry for them but this is just plain stupid.

 

[DAC1]

A comparison of the MH and BA flight paths are here Malaysia Airlines Goes Carry-on Only for Longest Routes - Wandering Aramean

They're a fair bit different

 

[Melburnian1]

What would passengers do who arrived at the airport (as a family of four) with 80 kilograms or more of luggage supposedly for checking in if they wanted quick access to their luggage at the destination?

Rush around to the freight section of KUL airport and try to consign it to MEL, SYD, ADL or other destinations - and risk missing their booked flight (plus make a huge hole in their credit card(s)?

Does the ban only apply northwestbound, and not returning from Europe to KUL?

 

[awkwardpaws]

A comparison of the MH and BA flight paths are here Malaysia Airlines Goes Carry-on Only for Longest Routes - Wandering Aramean

They're a fair bit different

Looks like avoiding Ukraine and Russia has made it a really long flight to get to LHR from KUL. An aftermath of the incidents it seems.

wonder whether it would stack up against the world's longest flight (by time) as a result of this..

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Baggage ban lifted with immediate effect for the A380 flight to London, but remains in place for the 777 to AMS and CGD: Travel Advisory - Temporary Limitation on Checked In Baggage Allowance for Kuala Lumpur-Europe Sector | Malaysia Airlines

 

[trippin_the_rift]

That's one way to kill off your passenger numbers and future bookings...