UK nationals travelling with British Airways will need to have photo ID at hand when travelling on domestic flights from next week. Until now, the airline doesn’t require any identification when travelling within the country on a plane.
That is, if you’re carrying just hand luggage and getting a BA flight from London to Edinburgh, Manchester to Cardiff or even Dublin to Swansea you have not been required to prove who you are with documentation. But, that’s about to change.
From Friday September 1 anyone 16 or over will need to provide a photo ID when travelling within the UK – whether that’s within one country or crossing from England to Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and vice versa.
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Permitted forms of ID include a passport, driving licence – or provisional license – or EU national identity card. Most other airlines have already insisted on ID being required for domestic flights, but now BA also implemented the change.
Until now, the airline has been a staunch hold out refusing the need except on those flights where it’s legally required. Customers will be warned they need ID from the day the rule comes into force via the automated pre-travel reminder emails.
So far, it’s not known why BA has changed its mind about ID. The Civil Aviation Authority claims it leaves the decision up to the airlines.
Andrew McConnell, a spokesperson for the CAA, told the Independent: "UK aviation security regulations do not require a passenger’s identity to be checked for security purposes prior to boarding a domestic flight, in the same way when travelling within the mainland on a train or bus. Any further requirement on behalf of the carrier to provide identification may be a condition of travel by the carrier itself."
An update on the British Airways website states: "You do not require a passport to travel within the UK, but you will need to carry one type of photographic ID when travelling with us. Examples include: valid passport; valid driving licence, either provisional or full; valid EU national identity card; valid armed forces identity card; valid police warrant card or badge.
"Children under the age of 16 do not need to show identification when travelling on domestic flights. The adult they are travelling with must travel with photographic identification and be able to confirm their identity. Children aged 14 and 15 years who are flying alone will need to show identification when travelling on domestic flights."
It's not known whether British Airways will insist on checking everyone's ID on every flights around the UK. But, you must bring some along with you from next week just in case.
If you don't have valid identification you may be refused boarding and miss out on your flight. Plus, as the rules are clearly stated on emails it's unlikely you'd get your money back from the airline.
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