Familiarise yourself with British Airways' baggage policies so you can fly smart and avoid fees.
Navigating baggage allowances can be tricky and taking more bags than you’re permitted could result in expensive fees at the airport. This guide simplifies British Airways' policies, covering everything from cabin baggage to checked bags, ensuring a smooth journey.
British Airways: Baggage explained
British Airways passengers have a free cabin baggage allowance of a small personal item and a large cabin bag. The personal item can be up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm in size and must be stored under the seat in front of you. Your cabin bag must be no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and should be placed in the overhead locker.
Personal items, such as a small backpack, handbag, or laptop bag, are ideal for essential belongings you’d like to keep close to hand throughout the flight.
British Airways carry on baggage at a glance
British Airways cabin baggage allowance: In depth
Who | No of Bags | Weight and Size |
|---|---|---|
Adults and young | 1 handbag and 1 cabin bag max | Handbag size: 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) |
Infants under 2 years | 1 cabin bag | Cabin bag size: 56 x 45 x 25 cm |
Flying to/from Brazil | 1 handbag and 1 cabin bag max | Handbag size: 45 x 36 x 20cm |
Understanding your British Airways checked baggage allowance
Your British Airways checked baggage allowance depends on many factors, including your travel class, destination, and frequent flyer status.
Economy Basic is not entitled to any checked baggage but can pay to add this on should you require a hold bag. Economy passengers can take one item of checked luggage weighing up to 23kg.
Premium Economy passengers are entitled to two 23kg hold bags.
Business Class passengers can take two 32kg hold bags.
First Class passengers are entitled to three 32kg checked bags.
Any British Airways passenger can choose to add additional checked luggage to their booking for a fee. The cost depends on your destination and how many extra bags you’d like to purchase. Regardless of which travel class you are, your checked bags must be no larger than 90cm x 75cm x 43cm. If you need to take a bag larger than this, it will be classed as oversized, and you’ll need to pay an additional fee. The largest a checked bag can be is 190cm x 75cm x 65cm.
Avoid unexpected fees at the airport by only taking the checked luggage you’re permitted to and carefully measuring and weighing it before you leave home.
British Airways checked baggage allowance
Who | No of Bags | Weight and Size |
|---|---|---|
Adults and young adults 12+ years | 1 bag max | 23 kg only |
Children from 2 | 1 bag max | 23 kg per bag and any two items from -a completely collapsible stroller or car seat or travel cot or carry harness |
Premium Economy | 2 bags | 23 kg per bag |
Business Class | 2 bags | 32 kg per bag |
First Class | 3 bags | 32 kg per bag |
British Airways passengers traveling in Economy Class (Euro Traveller/World Traveller) on:
Routes to/from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria
Flights between Japan and Europe
Connecting flights between India and the USA, Bermuda Triangle or Canada
Flights to/from Saudi Arabia going to the USA, Canada or Bermuda
typically receive the following checked baggage allowance:
Who | No of Bags | Weight and Size |
|---|---|---|
Adults and young adults 12+ years | 2 bags max | 23 kg per bag |
Children from 2 to 11 years | 2 bags max | 23 kg per bag and any two items from |
Infants under 2 years | 1 bag max | 23 kg per bag and any two items from |
Top tips for stress-free packing
Sports equipment and musical instruments
Travelling with special items such as sports equipment or musical instruments? British Airways has specific guidelines for these items and how they can travel.
You can bring your sports equipment on board, but how it travels will depend on its size. If your sports equipment item fits within the airline’s cabin baggage restrictions, it can be bought into the cabin with you. There are some exemptions for items that could be deemed unsafe by airport security, such as any sharp sports equipment, so ensure you check the list of prohibited items before you pack. Larger sports items, such as scuba gear and golf clubs, can be included as part of your permitted checked luggage allowance. Alternatively, you can pay to take these in addition to your free checked luggage.
Musical instruments follow similar guidelines, and those up to 80cm x 45cm x 25cm in size can be brought on board in place of your larger cabin bag. This means you can bring a personal item and your musical instrument into the cabin with you. If your instrument is between 80cm and 140cm in length, you can check it in as hold luggage or purchase an additional seat for it.
British Airways baggage FAQs
Familiarising yourself with British Airways’ cabin and checked baggage allowances will help you pack smartly and avoid unexpected fees at the airport. Wodnering what other airlines offer? Skyscanner India's baggage coverage spans everything travellers need before they fly: general cabin baggage rules for flights to and from India, airline-specific allowances for Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet, a guide to choosing the right travel bag, and a roundup of surprising items banned from cabin baggage on Indian routes.
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