Virgin Allowing duty free purchases

[CHRIS F]

I flew out from LHR today to work in Rochester NYS for a few days, as I was flying American Airlines I even had my matches confiscated and was told I risked a fine of up to 2k if I was caught ignoring it, they even stuck a great big note on my boarding card.

Standing outside the duty free shop was a rep from virgin holding a board which told everyone "if you are flying VA to the USA duty free purchases [liquids are allowed aboard]" I spoke with him as there was nobody about and checked whether that applied on the LGW to Orlando flights, I was told no problem, I only asked about perfumes as Val wanted some when we go in 4 weeks forgot about spirits as we never buy any, seems VA are more relaxed, I am only saying for items brought at the duty free shop not other liquids.

Got to say the hand luggage rules were a joy for me all the overhead storage bins were empty, but then so was the AA flight I had a whole row of 5 to myself, paradise, even in the USA the connecting flight that was full, for once had so much space for storage.

 

[UKDEB]

Thanks for the heads-up, Chris. Have been struggling to understand why they couldn't operate a similar system to that at MCO (where your duty free items are taken to the plane on your behalf) given the amount of money BAA must be losing.

I agree with you about the hand baggage. Dh and I keep commenting that, in theory at least, boarding should be quicker because people won't be blocking the aisles trying to get their entire worldly possessions in the overhead bins!

 

[Julia Ann]

That's cool - i've never took much hand luggage anyway, usually just the essentials, so i agree with that. Good to hear can have the duty free - looks like i shall be purchasing my moisturiser for use on the plane there and back.

Oh yeah and BTW ..... 6 weeks today to go!!!!

 

[fizz13]

Good to know, thanks for the heads up

 

[Mrs Night-Train]

Thanks for that info Chris!!!!

 

[jna]

I even had my matches confiscated and was told I risked a fine of up to 2k if I was caught ignoring it, they even stuck a great big note on my boarding card.

I have the BAA hand baggar restrictions printout beside me now and in the permitted column is says 'a single book or box of safety matches'. No non-safety matches though.

I have to agree with the new hand luggage arrangements in principle. Many a time I've watched people with more hand luggage than we had in the hold filling an overhead bin with their own stuff and leaving no room for fellow passengers. As my DD found out yesterday on her trip back from Spain, it's a one way rule and inbound, as long as you fitted in with the airlines rules you could take on board what you liked - well within reason if you know what I mean.

 

[Queenie]

I've never quite understood why people need to take so much stuff into the cabin? I always have 1 bag with my books/magazines/ipod/documents/food - everything in it and it has always fitted within the new hand luggage rules anyway.

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well that's GREAT news - I can by some lip balm, Evian spray and perfume in Duty free and feel a little re-freshed whilst I am on board.

 

[Boo Boo Too]

I flew out from LHR today to work in Rochester NYS for a few days, as I was flying American Airlines I even had my matches confiscated and was told I risked a fine of up to 2k if I was caught ignoring it, they even stuck a great big note on my boarding card.

Standing outside the duty free shop was a rep from virgin holding a board which told everyone "if you are flying VA to the USA duty free purchases [liquids are allowed aboard]" I spoke with him as there was nobody about and checked whether that applied on the LGW to Orlando flights, I was told no problem, I only asked about perfumes as Val wanted some when we go in 4 weeks forgot about spirits as we never buy any, seems VA are more relaxed, I am only saying for items brought at the duty free shop not other liquids.

Got to say the hand luggage rules were a joy for me all the overhead storage bins were empty, but then so was the AA flight I had a whole row of 5 to myself, paradise, even in the USA the connecting flight that was full, for once had so much space for storage.

Ok, I COULD be wrong here, but I believe that this means that you can "purchase duty free onboard the plane" and not "purchase duty free in the duty free shop and take it onboard the plane with you". Can the OP please confirm what he was trying to say?

Yes VS ARE more relaxed, but it is not their rules (nor their personnel that seacrh you at the gate). Due to the current regulations, any drinks/perfumes/cosmetics you buy at a London airport duty free shop will be confiscated from you at the boarding gate...

I want to save some of you getting the wrong idea and throwing your money away here...

Boo

 

[Boo Boo Too]

To clarify, from Virgin Atltantic's website (http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/passengerinformation/latestnews/index.jsp):

Passengers travelling to the US:

In addition to the above, passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point (including Duty Free shops), will be subjected to secondary search at the gate. Any liquids discovered will be removed from the passenger and any electrical items including mobile phones and cameras will be subject to additional checks.

Passengers travelling to all other destinations (non US):

All UK departures are subject to the above cabin baggage restrictions and security checks. However those passengers travelling to non-US destinations can carry sealed liquid products, such as suntan lotions, purchased from the airport airside duty free area, i.e. after security, as long as they are submitted for search with their proof of purchase.

and, a little later on...

Flights Departing From US Airports:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is not restricting the carriage of cabin baggage, however the following items are not allowed to be carried either in cabin baggage or on your person.

No liquids of any type are permitted other than the following items:
Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket
Insulin and essential other non-prescription medicines
Baby formula, breast milk, or juice if a baby or small child is travelling
No liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol.

Liquid Duty-free items can be purchased from stores after the security checkpoints ONLY if the US airport offers a facility whereby the items are delivered sealed to the aircraft door. If the airport does not have this facility the items will be removed from passengers at the boarding gate. Any passengers with onward connections from the UK who have through checked their baggage should not purchase ANY liquids as they cannot be carried in cabin baggage from any UK airport.

So you can buy "duty free" on board flights from the UK, but you can't buy it at UK airports to take on flights from the UK.

From the US, certain airports have the facility for you to buy duty free and have it delivered to you at the gate or on the flight.

Boo

 

[UKDEB]

I've just checked BAA's website and the information posted there hasn't changed:

Further passenger information

Before security: All shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers, but any liquids and gels purchased must be packed into your luggage for check-in. Any other purchases must fit into your hand luggage.

Once through security: All shops and catering outlets are open to all passengers. If you are travelling to any destination except the USA then you can take all items purchased in the departures lounge into the aircraft cabin.

If you are travelling to the USA: Extra restrictions are in place. Passengers will be subjected to secondary security searches at the gate. No toiletries or cosmetics purchased in the departure lounge will be allowed into the aircraft cabin and any drinks or liquid items must be consumed before boarding. Food, however, is allowed. Passengers boarding flights to the USA and items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, will be subjected to secondary search at the gate and any liquids discovered will be removed.

What I don't understand is why the Virgin rep would be standing outside the Duty Free shop with the notice.

 

[Laurafoster]

That is confusing,I dont understand why they cant have the same policy as at MCO?

Well that's GREAT news - I can by some lip balm, Evian spray and perfume in Duty free and feel a little re-freshed whilst I am on board.

I just noticed your going to be out there at the same time as me! Keep an eye out for me walking around in my Wedding Ears

 

[Boo Boo Too]

What I don't understand is why the Virgin rep would be standing outside the Duty Free shop with the notice.

Virgin have no ability to allow people to carry on liquids/cosmetics - it is nothing to do with airline policy, it is BAA policy.

I think that the sign probably says "if you are flying VA to the USA duty free purchases (liquids) are allowed ONBOARD" (read the OP's post again... I think either the OP got confused OR we are reading what he wrote incorrectly...). The sign means that you can purchase duty free when you are onboard the plane and NOT that you can buy duty free purchases at the terminal and take them onboard...

Yes it is ambigious (either the original post and/or the sign that the rep was holding).

Boo

 

[Claire L]

Virgin have no ability to allow people to carry on liquids/cosmetics - it is nothing to do with airline policy, it is BAA policy.

I think that the sign probably says "if you are flying VA to the USA duty free purchases (liquids) are allowed ONBOARD" (read the OP's post again... I think either the OP got confused OR we are reading what he wrote incorrectly...). The sign means that you can purchase duty free when you are onboard the plane and NOT that you can buy duty free purchases at the terminal and take them onboard...

Yes it is ambigious (either the original post and/or the sign that the rep was holding).

Boo

Now that would make sense informing people that they can get duty free, but only on the plane

Claire

 

[pauldents]

Found this thread on V-Flyer http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14825

 

[UKDEB]

Thanks, Paul - that makes sense now and is what I suspected from Chris's post. Good news for me as I will be on VS15 in less than 6 weeks! (For Johnny ).

 

[pauldents]

Thanks, Paul - that makes sense now and is what I suspected from Chris's post. Good news for me as I will be on VS15 in less than 6 weeks! (For Johnny ).

I still find this confusing. Are liquids actually allowed to be purchased from the duty free and then picked up at the gate? I usually buy a couple of bottles of water for dehydration during the flight. I also have a three year old daughter, so it would be nice to get a couplle of fruit shoots or similiar.

We are on VS15 (PE) this Wednesday

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Am COMPLETELY shocked... it seems like a sensible thing to do, BUT does seem to completely contravene the current published regulations (which doesn't make sense...). Nowhere is there anything that documenst that this is ok (even on Virgin's website)

Maybe it is a sign of things to come (for other airlines too)...

Can anybody from here, travelling on Virgin over the next few days/weeks, post their "duty free" experiences please? Would be good to have this confirmed

Boo

 

[Red-Snapper]

I am not surprised at all. In the end making money will always get its way. They were losing too much money on Duty Free and I am sure have been negotiating with the Govt since the beginning to get some common sense policies in force.

Just like the hand luggage situation lasting for a short time (and I am sure we will see the size restrictions lifted before too long).

 

[CHRIS F]

I was totally suprised myself that is why I actually spoke to him, he was from virgin and he did not indicate it was to be sealed and delivered to the plane either definately ok to purchase from the duty free shop. Interesting thing though I brought duty free ciggerettes and carried them on board myself but for the first time ever I was stopped buying 400, I was told 200 only

It appears that airlines are doing their own thing [or mis-understanding the BAA rules], with American they were secondary searching at the departure gate for matches etc, I spoke to a few people in the smoking room, well I had to get a light lol and they all had the safety matches they were even selling them airside, in the USA they gave them to me free at the airport.

Three days into my trip I rummaged around in the bag I used as hand luggage and I found a lighter that had been there all through screening in the UK and US ok it did not work but they did not know that!