Door-to-door airline luggage delivery service launched in UK

Budget airline passengers are getting accustomed to regular hikes in the cost of checked-in luggage and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary claimed last week that he expects airlines to soon start charging

Budget airline passengers are getting accustomed to regular hikes in the cost of checked-in luggage and Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary claimed last week that he expects airlines to soon start charging for hand luggage.

But a new door-to-door budget luggage delivery service claims to offer holidaymakers an alternative to the pricey fees they face on their European break.

The Luggage Delivery Company says its service will “bring the glamour back to travelling within Europe” without the expensive prices that other luggage delivery companies charge.

It will pick up your suitcases from your house before you leave for the airport and deliver them to your holiday accommodation in time for your arrival.

Prices vary on weight and destination but start from £29.99 for a 15kg suitcase, and bulky items such as golf clubs, bikes, skis and prams can also be shipped.

Its sister company, First Luggage, offers a worldwide service but Luggage Delivery Company will initially only deliver to destinations in Europe.

The company’s owner Gideon Kasfiner said that he launched the service in response to a demand for a cheaper European delivery service for the mass market.

“Budget airlines have been increasing their charges for check in luggage and I expect them to start charging for hand luggage so I see demand for our service growing,” he explained. “We are going to be far cheaper than any airline for check-in luggage.”

A study by price comparison website TravelSupermarket revealed that Thomson’s baggage fees charge has risen by 47 per cent since 2012, from £15 per person per flight to £22, while easyJet’s equivalent fee has increased by a quarter, from £14.50 to £18. Ryanair, Flybe and Jet2 have all raised their baggage fees by at least 10 per cent.

Ryanair’s check-in charges range from £15 to £160 depending on weight, number of bags and whether the passenger has paid in advance or at the airport.

The budget airline increased its charges for the summer period and Mr O’Leary said that the company will continue to increase its baggage charges until no-one can afford to take luggage for the hold.

Mr Kasfiner said: “Michael O’Leary is talking about £120 to check-in a bag whereas we charge just £34 for a 20kg to be shipped from London to Paris.

“We’ll pick up from your house and deliver to your hotel so you don’t have to wait around for your bags at the airport.”

Mr Kasfiner claims its sister company has only lost one piece of luggage in the past nine years and has had no problems with suitcases being tampered with.

Deliveries are tracked and customers are kept up-to-date via email, SMS and telephone alerts.

“We ship thousands of items each month, all over the world. We even delivered a flag to the top of Everest”, he says.

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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