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: Cabin baggage explained

Hand baggage essentials

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.

Cabin baggage allowance at a glance

Checked baggage: A detailed guide

Understanding your allowance

Your British Airways checked baggage allowance depends on many factors, including your travel class, destination, and frequent flyer status. If you’re flying Economy Basic, you won’t be 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 and Premium Economy passengers are entitled to two 23kg hold bags. Business Class passengers can take two 32kg hold bags and 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.

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:

Sports equipment and musical instruments

Special baggage on British Airways flights

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.

Familiarising yourself with British Airways’ cabin and checked baggage allowances will help you pack smartly and avoid unexpected fees at the airport. Always weigh and measure your bags before leaving home for a stress-free experience.