BA luggage - why ?

[BeaLola]

Was booking flights to Malta with BA and we decided to only take hand luggage as cabin bag and hand combo allowed for each of us seemed sufficient for the time we are away.
Anyhow as were clicking through it offered us 1 checked bag each - think it was £32 each way and we declined this- however having had confirmation through we are allowed I checked bag each ? Is there sone reason for this - eg all Europe flights get it regardless ?

I know it's not an issue but just bugging me as to why it did it

No they don’t. You normally pay more for checked bag unless business. Have you misunderstood the pricing? Clicked on the wrong price? Have you gone back into the price page to check your fare with hand luggage fare?

BA is a bit different to budget airlines. Even the super cheap seats give you a rucksack and cabin bag/case. What they call standard, gives you a checked bag. You must have booked standard seats.

With BA it’s:

Economy basic = hand luggage only
Economy plus = one checked bag
Business = 2 checked bags

@BeaLola

Just to potentially add to the confusion I think Malta is currently a BA Gatwick route (you’ll obviously know for certain) and if it is it is operated by BA City flyer (or Avion Express in their stead).

Their terminology is slightly different to the one used by BA mainline that @Ratsalad described, they simply use:

“Economy (Hand Baggage Only)” or
“Economy (Checked Baggage)”

Thank you alll. Definitely had the most basic seat choice with hand luggage only but what i hadn't factored in was we booked hotel via their site so ended up with a package which apparently gives you hold luggage whether you need it or not .

Such a long time since I've been away - didn't think to book hotel via BA but it worked out cheaper than TUI package and better flights .

BA flights are often at better times of the day! Still if you want a bit more space in your luggage, you have it. Plus: board as early as possible or your bag might get in the hold anyway.,

When I booked a package through BA there was a hold bag included regardless. Their basic is quite generous compared to the budget airlines!
Malta airport is a bit chaotic, I would say for the trip home, once you're done with duty free then go through passport control to the Non-Schengen zone asap, there's lots of seating and a good sized Costa. (Whereas on the main side there is not enough seating due to the gates being the only seating options available). Your plane has to go from that side so it's safe to do even if you're quite early.

There’s an issue with their IT system and baggage (that’s what we were told). Despite our booking confirmation and subsequent emails showing that we had had a checked baggage allowance, when we got to the airport, their systems showed hand luggage only. It did get sorted eventually but it took time and a fair bit of persuasion!

Thank you

Pashazade - any Malta recommendations whilst there ?

So we went in May, just for time frame.
We loved the Tarxien Temples (not far from Valletta)
Stayed in Rabat, so loved Mdina, do not go to the restaurant Il Veduta worst meal of the trip.
Rest of the restaurants in Mdina are nice/very good. Ice cream place in the top corner near the wall does nice ice cream.
The Palazzo Falson was fab, lovely eclectic collection with an excellent cafe on the roof.
Also the Roman Villa is interesting, as is the cathedral (much preferred it to the big one in Valetta) and the cathedral museum.
Natural History museum is ok but wouldn't worry about visiting too much unless you love rocks!
Catacombs in Rabat were fascinating, we didn't do them all, but there are a lot to explore!
We did a bespoke tour round Gozo which was interesting but felt rushed, but I didn't want to drive so this was the compromise.
Did the Gigantija temples in Gozo, the artifacts were more interesting than the temples!
The ferry trip over to Gozo is a nice one, we didn't do any of the small boats and DH and DS aren't fans of small boats.
The bus app is handy but be aware it's not always accurate with bus stop closures. But getting buses in and out of Valletta is dead easy and cheap.
I used GetCab Malta for various trips around the island. Guy who runs it is very helpful and friendly. They did our there and back for the airport and also trips to the ferry terminal for Gozo.
So we did "History" rather than sun and sand as it were.
It gets very breezy so a cover up is worth while, although the heat of summer may make this less of an issue depending on when you're going.