A man, Andy Donovan, faced a hefty charge of over a thousand pounds for carrying an additional suitcase on his Qatar Airways flight. Andy, a 23-year-old marketing executive from Exeter, Devon, had planned a six-month trip to Kingsbury, Melbourne, to participate in cricket matches during the Australian summer.
Originally booked on a Cathay Pacific flight with a layover in Hong Kong, Andy decided to switch to a Qatar Airways flight to Melbourne via Doha, Qatar, due to the approaching ‘super typhoon Ragasa’ threatening Hong Kong.
The flight on September 22 was initially booked for £312.28, but Andy’s baggage allowance changed when he switched flights, limiting him to one checked bag instead of the two he had planned for his possessions and cricket gear. Despite attempting to purchase an extra bag online, technical issues led Andy to opt for paying at the airport.
To his surprise, he was charged a staggering £1,103.72 for the additional 25kg bag. Andy expressed disbelief at the exorbitant fee, stating that it was multiple times the cost of his actual ticket. He emphasized the necessity of his cricket equipment, customized to his specifications, leaving him no choice but to pay the fee.
According to Andy, the charge calculation was not clearly explained, but he paid to ensure he could proceed with his journey. Qatar Airways’ policy indicates a charge of approximately £44.60 per additional kilogram within six hours of departure.
Andy, who plays for the Philippines national cricket team, highlighted that his sister had taken the same flight a week earlier with two bags and faced no issues. His father, Barry Donovan, a retired pilot, intervened to help Andy switch flights to avoid the Hong Kong airport due to the typhoon.
Barry criticized the steep charge for excess baggage, calling it “extortion” and questioning the fairness of the airline’s actions. Despite attempts to contact Qatar Airways, both Barry and Andy have not received any response, prompting concerns about the treatment of other passengers in similar situations.
In response to the incident, a Qatar Airways spokesperson explained that passengers traveling on ‘standby’ staff tickets from other airlines are subject to excess baggage charges upon confirmation of their tickets, following industry standards and procedures.