BA ups fuel fees in premium seats

British Airways first introduced fuel surcharges in 2004

British Airways has increased the fuel surcharge for passengers travelling in its premium classes to compensate for rising fuel costs.

Flyers in first class, Club World and World Traveller Plus will pay up to �24 more per flight than those in economy.

A BA spokesperson said the move was "appropriate" as premium passengers enjoyed more space in the cabin and a higher baggage allowance.

Virgin Atlantic also has higher fuel surcharges for its premium customers.

This is the first time British Airways has introduced different levels of surcharges depending on which class passengers travel in.

Economy-class passengers pay a �109 fuel surcharge on one-way flights of more than nine hours. The changes mean that World Traveller Plus customers will pay �121 and travellers in Club World and First Class will pay a fuel surcharge of �133.

On a typical long-haul flight in a 747 plane, there would be 14 first-class passengers, 38 in Club World, 36 World Traveller Plus passengers and 263 economy customers, BA said.

The airline said it also had another configuration for its 747s, which would see 14 passengers in first-class, 70 in Club World, 30 World Traveller Plus passengers and 177 economy customers.

At the start of the year, British Airways' fuel surcharge was �58 for a single flight of more than nine hours. The rising price of oil has caused it to increase its ordinary fuel surcharge three times this year.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version