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Heathrow baggage works ballot for strike action
Workers at Vanderlande Industries who manage baggage carousels are ballotin g Unite members for industrial action over pay.
Around 170 workers conduct maintenance and servicing of baggage carousels, ensuring passengers’ luggage is delivered into the terminal buildings. According to Unite, “If Unite members take industrial action it will bring all terminals and airline baggage handling to a standstill.” It seems like it would be an exaggeration as presumably they are not going to suddenly stop working, unless they are not allowed to operate baggage carousels without maintenance in the building.
The ballot opens today for three weeks until 1 September. Vanderlande Industries has made two below-inflation pay offers of just five per cent and 2.5 per cent that have been rejected by Unite members.
Finnair change business baggage again
Finnair has come under a lot of criticism recently over its changes to baggage and seating allowances. It is a shame as Finnair is a great airline that I have always found reliable with great service. Now it seems that Finnair may be listening to feedback as they have announced today that they will be increasing the business class carry-on luggage allowance from 10kg to 12kg, so you can now bring a carry-on bag and a small bag that weighs up to 12kg together. The new weight limit is also valid for tickets purchased before today.
Here is the full list of luggage allowances:
It is worth noting that the 23kg applies even to oneworld status holders who would normally get an increased weight limit. You can find out more details about flying with Finnair here.
Hotel and BA Holidays offers
Bahia Principe, resort hotel company with hotels in Spain, Caribbean and Mexico mainly, has a good offer of up to 40% off. You have until 31 August 2023 to book and can travel until 30 November 30, 2023.
Plus, if you’re travelling as a family, the first child is free! (depending on the season). Also, if you’re a member of My Bahia Principe, you can get an extra discount of up to 10% off and other benefits.
Here are some example prices after the discount:
- 5* Bahia Principe Grand Cayacoa, Dominican Republic
- AI – £50pp per night
- 5* Bahia Principe Grand Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
- AI – £60pp per night
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica
- AI – £100pp per night
- Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an Adults only Riviera Maya, Mexico (I’ve been and loved it)
- AI – £87pp per night
You can find the offer page here.
British Airways Holidays also have a couple of holidays on offer in October that could be of interest:
UAE All Inclusive – British Airways Holidays offers three nights, at the 4* Hampton By Hilton Marjan Island from £789pp, travelling in October Half Term 2023. Includes economy (World Traveller) return flights from London Heathrow Airport, 23kg luggage allowance and accommodation on All Inclusive. Now, you may have in your head that Hampton is not where you would want to stay on holiday, but hotels here are very different from the normal ones. This is a particularly good one as it was originally meant to be a 5* hotel but got changed to a Hampton instead. The hotel is situated in Ras Al Khaimah which I fell in love with when I visited earlier this year.
- South Africa Luxury Holidays – British Airways Holidays offers five nights, at the 5* Hilton Sandton from £3499pp travelling in October 2023. Includes business class (Club World) return flights from London Heathrow Airport, 23kg luggage allowance and accommodation. Book by 25 August 2023.
You can check availability on the official BA Holidays webpage here.
6 comments
VanDerLande do more than just manage arrival carousels…they also manage huge chunks of the departing baggage system too, so if those workers are in scope for the ballot, they could indeed stop the Heathrow baggage system.
Thanks David.
It would be interesting to see the comparison between the Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an Adults only Riviera Maya, Mexico, and the Hyatt Ziva and Zilara in Riviera Maya! Hyatt Ziva and zilara properties have every top shelf liquor and the food is excellent. Also entertainment day and night.
I have been to all the Hyatt Ziva/Zilara AI properties including also Punta Cana and Montego Bay. They are priced around the £300 to £350 pn price. Hyatt have expanded in this market now with the acquisition of the Apple leisure group in 2021, I stayed at two of these properties this year.
Secrets cap Cana resort and spa and the secrets royal beach both In Dominican Republic, I rate them all. The stay at secrets cap Cana resort and spa was actually a complimentary 10 night stay because the hotel took a direct hit from hurricane Fiona last September and we were evacuated to a sister property. Hyatt have a promotion atm book 5 nights get the fifth one free. There is also a new overpass bridge just constructed that will ease the flow of traffic from CUN airport to the main hotel zone.
How do you rate the Bahia Principe Luxury Sian Ka’an on these points Michelle!
I visited pre-Covid. The actual hotel is set back from the beach and has three other resorts in the same area with complimentary transport. There is a reserved area on the beach. It is close to Akumal where you can swim with turtles. I liked having the other hotel restaurants included as it gave a big range of options to choose from. The entertainment was very good including some acrobatics with aerial silks and a Michael Jackson impersonator. I normally don’t like hotel enetrtainment but this was a good standard. The food in the Sian Khan itself was excellent and the alcohol selection was also premium. Some of the other hotel restaureants were buffet starters and a la carte main but a good standard. The hotel has something of a jungle/wilderness feel which is very different from a lot of the beach hotels. Rooms had well stocked mini bars with Tequila and beer etc. We had the suites with the rooftop jacuzzi which was fun. However, if being right on the beach is your thing, this is probably not for you.
Apologies, Typo meant Michele.
Thank you, I will look into a stay at one of these properties to get a feel for how they compare. On Price point even at the standard rates they appear to be very competitive with rival brands indeed.
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