Hand baggage

Every flight includes a generous free hand baggage allowance, of one cabin bag weighing up to 23kg and a personal bag (hand bag or laptop). Passengers must be able to lift the bag into the overhead storage compartment unaided.

Journey

 Cabin bag Personal bag (handbag/laptop)
All flights

Up to 56cm x 45cm x 25cm

 Up to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm

Exceeding the allowance

If hand baggage is over the size or weight limit, or your clients have additional bags, it will need to be checked in and will count towards their checked baggage allowance. If the additional baggage takes them over the checked baggage allowance, or they are travelling on a hand baggage only fare (HBO), they will be charged for extra baggage at the airport rate.

Effective from 18 October 2017, British Airways have removed their Most Generous Baggage Allowance Policy, meaning for new bookings. customers will receive the baggage allowance applicable to the cabin they are flying in on a return/stopover journey.

The most significant international operating carrier (MSIOC) rule will still apply on a single journey component involving a connection (less than 24 hours).

Please note, Executive card members will still receive their enhanced baggage allowance.

Checked baggage

British Airways offers a generous free baggage allowance on all cabins. However, this does vary between class of travel, ticket type and route. Heavy (up to 32kg) or extra bags (up to ten in total) may be checked-in for a charge, which is best booked online prior to check-in at BA's Manage My Booking by yourself or your customer to save money.

The dimensions of each checked bag should be up to:

  • 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5in x 29.5in x 16in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.
  • Bags exceeding these measurements but up to 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) may be carried but subject to an overweight bag charge (currently waived).
  • Bags exceeding 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) will not be permitted to travel and must be shipped as cargo.

 Inclusive allowances for all flights:

  Adults Weight Children Infants under 2 yrs
First Three bags 32kg Same as adult allowance plus one fully-collapsible pushchair and one car seat One bag plus one fully-collapsible pushchair and one car seat
Club World Two bags 32kg
Club Europe Two bags 32kg
World Traveller Plus Two bags 23kg*
World Traveller/
Euro Traveller/
Domestic		 One bag 23kg*

* Bags exceeding the free allowance of 23kg up to a maximum of 32kg can be checked in subject to an overweight bag charge of £65/$100/€75 payable at the airport.


A number of scenarios affect baggage allowance, such as: 

  • British Airways Gold and oneworld Emerald members:
    • An additional free checked bag in any class of travel for the cardholder and any customer travelling on the same booking.
    • A weight allowance of 32kg (71lb) per checked bag in any class of travel for the cardholder only

 

  • Executive Club Silver and oneworld Sapphire members:
    • A checked baggage allowance of two pieces in any World Traveller, Euro Traveller and Domestic cabin for the cardholder and any customer travelling on the same booking (excludes G class bookings).
    • A weight allowance of 32kg (71lb) per checked bag in any class of travel for the cardholder only

 

Customers travelling to and from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Japan* or connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada, plus full fare Y class tickets on any route have an allowance of 2 bags at 23kg each (32kg each if travelling to/from Brazil) unless the cabin allowance or passenger status is greater. 

Hand-baggage only fares do not include checked luggage.

*on tickets booked from 1 July 2016

The most significant international operating carrier (MSIOC) rule will still apply on a single journey component involving a connection (less than 24 hours).

Please note, Executive card members will still receive their enhanced baggage allowance.

Excess baggage charges when pre-paid online before check-in:

  To/From airport 1st extra bag Further extra bags
First/Club World Any £120/$170/€128 £120/$170/€128
World Traveller Plus Any £120/$170/€128 £120/$170/€128
World Traveller Any £60/$90/€70 £120/$170/€128
Club Europe LHR/LCY £60/$90/€70 £60/$90/€70
LGW £36/$54/€45 £36/$54/€45
Euro Traveller/ UK Domestic LHR/LCY  £60/$90/€70 £60/$90/€70
LGW  £36/$54/€45 £36/$54/€45

Extra baggage charges when paid at the airport (charged in local currency): 

  To/From airport 1st extra bag Further extra bags
First/Club World Any £140/$200/€150 £140/$200/€150
World Traveller Plus Any £140/$200/€150 £140/$200/€150
World Traveller Any £65/$100/€75 £140/$200/€150
Club Europe LHR/LCY £65/$100/€75 £65/$100/€75
LGW £40/$60/€50  £40/$60/€50 
Euro Traveller/ UK Domestic LHR/LCY  £65/$100/€75  £65/$100/€75 
LGW  £40/$60/€50  £40/$60/€50 

Please take the following in to consideration:

    • Extra bags cannot be purchased for an infant, under 2 years of age.
    • Bags exceeding 32kg are not permitted on any journey and must be shipped as cargo.
    • You can pay for extra baggage for your clients once you have confirmed their booking by accessing the booking via BA's Manage My Booking Alternatively, you can direct them to this link to manage their own arrangements.

  • If the journey contains mixed cabins, the higher baggage allowance (and overweight/sized bag charges) will prevail providing all sectors are made under one booking.
  • For itineraries involving flights operated by British Airways' oneworld and franchise partners, the carrier which provides the longest sector will apply to the whole journey.

Flying with sports equipment

Allowance:

  • All sporting equipment has to be packed appropriately to avoid damage and meet the size and weight restrictions of your allowance.
  • Your customers can take larger sporting items of up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) as long as they weigh no more than the permitted baggage weight allowance. Any items larger than these dimensions will require shipping as cargo.
  • Items over 23kg may incur an overweight baggage charge (economy).
  • If required, customers can pay to take more checked bags than their allowance.
  • There are specific safety and security restrictions for some items and you might need to contact us to get approval first.
  • If your customers are checking in a large piece of sports equipment, please inform them that they need to allow an additional 15 minutes so that the item can be safely and securely handed over to the baggage staff.

If the equipment information you are after isn't listed below or you have any questions, please contact us.

Bikes

Customers can take non-motorised bicycles of up to 190cm (75in) in length as part of their checked baggage allowance, provided they are packed in a protective bicycle bag.

To reduce the risk of damage to the bicycle, please advise your customers that they can:

  • Pack the bike in a protective cover, such as a heavy-duty polythene bike bag, padded case or hard shell.
  • Remove the pedals or fix them inwards.
  • Fix the handlebars sideways so they don't stick out.
  • Deflate the tyres.

Diving equipment

Customers can take the following diving equipment as part of their checked baggage, provided it is packed in a recognised kit bag and does not exceed the maximum dimensions and weight restrictions for checked baggage:

  • scuba regulator
  • tank harness
  • tank pressure gauge (pressure-sensitive devices may need special packaging; refer to the manufacturer for advice)
  • face mask
  • fins
  • buoyancy control device
  • snorkel
  • weight belt
  • cylinder tank (must be empty and presented at check-in for inspection)
  • spear guns and harpoons (must be unloaded with the spear/harpoon packed separately)

Golf clubs and umbrellas

Customers can take golf equipment as part of their checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).

If they carry their golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of their checked baggage allowance.

Ski and snowboarding equipment

Customers can take your skis or snowboard equipment as checked baggage, provided it is packed correctly and within their baggage allowance. They also need to:

  • Use a bag made for skis or snowboards to carry your equipment. This bag can be no longer than 190cm in length due to airport and aircraft baggage systems restrictions.
  • Their skis/snowboard and boots can be packed in the same checked baggage with their clothes as long as it doesn't exceed the maximum dimensions of 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) and weighs no more than the weight allowance. If the weight is exceeded, customers will be charged extra at the airport.
  • If they pack their boots separately from their skis or snowboard, their boot-bag can be carried as cabin baggage if it fits into the British Airways hand-baggage gauge. If it doesn't fit, it must be checked in, so make sure your customers know their baggage allowance.

Surfboards

Your customers can take surfboards as part of their checked baggage provided they don't exceed the maximum weight restrictions, are max. 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) and packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage.

If the bag weighs more than their allowance they may need to pay an overweight baggage charge.

Sporting rackets and sticks

Customers can only take sports rackets and games sticks on British Airways aircraft in their hold checked baggage. Items such as tennis or squash rackets are not allowed as part of their hand baggage on flights into or out of the UK. This is a security policy issued by the UK Department for Transport. Many other airport authorities will not allow these items through their airport security points so customers will be asked to check them in on all our flights, even if they would normally be allowed as hand baggage in other parts of the world. Any racket or stick carried separately counts as one item of baggage so please advise your customers of their checked baggage allowance.