British Airways Baggage Policy

British Airways baggage policy includes 1 free checked bag and the carry-on bag with the ticket cost.

The fee would be applicable if you purchase extra baggage. There’s a variation in the British Airways baggage fees if you’re traveling from London Heathrow or London Gatwick. The same rules are applicable for all the primary hubs located in the US. 

The baggage rules of British Airways can be a bit tricky to understand, but we’re here to help make it clearer for you!

How much is the British Airways hand baggage allowance?

To make it easy for you, we’ve laid out the British Airways baggage rules for the size and weight of your essential bags.

Personal Item

• Size must be within 16 x 12 x 6 inches.
• Should weigh no more than 51 pounds

British Airways carry on baggage

• Size should measure around 22 x 18 x 10 inches (similar to a medium-sized suitcase)
• Should weigh no more than 51 pounds

Lap Infant Carry-on baggage

• When you’re flying with a baby sitting on your lap, you can bring an extra cabin bag.
• Should weigh no more than 51 pounds

Carrying Strollers on board

• Your stroller must be fully collapsible.
• Size must be within 46 x 15 x 15 inches when folded.

Exceptions under British Airways baggage policy

Larger strollers should go as checked baggage. Upon arrival, they must be picked up at the baggage carousel in the baggage hall.

What is British Airways checked baggage allowance?

The British Airways baggage policy allows checked baggage starting from 51 pounds (23 kg) up to a maximum of 70 pounds (32 kg), and it may vary according to your fare class.

Here’s the overview of the British Airways baggage policy for checked baggage – 

Please Note: The aforesaid baggage allowance is applicable for flights to/from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, flights between Japan and Europe, connecting flights between India and the USA, Bermuda Triangle, or Canada, as well as flights to and from Saudi Arabia going to the USA, Canada, or Bermuda.

Weight limit 

Baggage dimension

Your checked bag should not be larger than 35 x 30 x 17 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm). Checked baggage allowance may vary for the Business Class.

How much is the British Airways extra baggage fee?

British Airways has not published any information regarding the excess baggage fee, but always asked its passengers to use the British Airways baggage calculator.

Below is the overview of the baggage fee we have researched based on this tool –

For carry-on baggage

Short-haul to/from London City Airport

Short-haul to/from London Gatwick Airport

Short-haul to/from London Heathrow Airport

Short-haul to/from Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester

Long-haul to/from U.S./Mexico from London Gatwick

All other Long-haul flights

Checked baggage fee for Economy Class Euro Traveller (Plus and Plus Flex) – Flights to/from London Gatwick

Checked baggage fee for Economy Class Euro Traveller (Plus and Plus Flex) – All Other Routes

Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) – Below is the overview of the British Airways baggage fees 

For Business Class (Club Europe)

First Class (Club World and First Class)

What is the overweight and oversize fee for British Airways?

British Airways charges extra for oversized as well as overweight baggage. Refer to the table below for fees as per British Airways baggage policy –

What is the British Airways baggage allowance on partner airlines?

As per British Airways baggage policy, passengers flying in any of the codeshare or interline agreement flights have a separate baggage allowance. This is applicable on flights that are operated other than British Airways.

If the travel includes a flight segment with BA, it is the operating airline that decides the baggage allowance for the whole itinerary. 

The following airlines allow 1 checked bag up to 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16in) and 23kg (51lb) if the flight segment includes British Airways

• Sun Air
• American Airlines
• Iberia
• Finnair
• China Southern
• Qatar Airways
• Japan Airlines

What is British Airways baggage policy for musical instruments?

Passengers are allowed to carry 1 musical instrument as hand luggage or as checked baggage. However the allowance varies as per British Airways baggage policy – 

As carry-on baggage

The item must fit under the hand luggage allowance provided the length must be within 80 cm.

• You can also carry a small wind instrument or violin as carry-on baggage. The dimensions must be within 80cm x 45cm x 25cm (31 in x 18in x 10in). 

Passengers paying for the seat

In case the musical instrument exceeds the baggage allowance, passengers can purchase an extra seat.

• Musical instruments such as guitar or cello must not exceed 140cm x 50cm x 40cm (55in x 20in x 16in).
• To pay for the seat for a musical instrument, it must be requested no later than 24 hours before departure. 

As checked baggage

Musical instruments that exceed 50lb/23kg should go as checked baggage. 

• If you have also redeemed your baggage allowance with the ticket, you may be asked to pay british airways baggage fees.

Does British Airways baggage policy allow sports items?

Any sports item that fits as a hand luggage, can be carried for free. Also if the dimension must be within the checked baggage allowance, it’s free.

Any sports items that are heavier or larger than the allowed checked baggage allowance (51lb/23kg and 190cm x 75cm x 65cm) should go as cargo.

However, the baggage allowance varies with the following sports items – 

Non-motorized bicycles

They can be brought as checked baggage and are included in the allowance as mentioned in the ticket. If the checked baggage allowance is exhausted, you need to pay British Airways checked baggage fees. If carrying a bicycle, you must request up to 72 hours before departure. 

• The dimensions of the bicycle must not exceed 190cm x 95cm x 65cm (75 inches x 37.5 inches x 25.5 inches) in size.

Diving equipment

You can bring these items as checked luggage. The divining equipment that are allowed as checked baggage includes – 

• Scuba regulator
• Snorkel
• Face mask
• Diving lamps (with some special rules)
• Weight belt
• Tank pressure gauge
• Tank harness
• Spear guns
• Fins
• Empty cylinder tank.
• Buoyancy control device

Golf Clubs

Golf equipment/kits are considered as part of checked baggage by British Airways. It must be packed in a protective bag/case.

• If you bring an umbrella or parasol separately, it will count as an additional checked baggage item.
• Extra fee may apply if it exceeds your baggage allowance.

Ski and Snowboarding items

• You can bring your gear as part of your checked baggage allowance.
• If it fits within the size limits, you can take them as hand luggage.

Surfboards and Kayaks

For small kayaks with paddles or short surfboards, you can include them in your checked baggage.

• They must be in a protective bag
• The dimensions must not exceed 190cm in length.
• Personal items like clothes are not permitted with the equipment.
• Kayaks or Surfboards that are larger than 190 cm should go as cargo baggage.

Rackets, Rods, Sticks, and Cues

• Items like tennis or squash rackets, snooker, billiard, or pool cues, and hockey sticks can be part of your checked baggage
• These items, if carried separately, should be counted under British Airways extra baggage allowance. 

British Airways baggage policy is essential for passengers to avoid extra charges or any restrictions to ensure hassle-free travel. The airline offers free checked baggage and carry-on allowance, but additional baggage comes with the price. The rules for hand baggage size and weight are clearly mentioned above. Checked baggage allowances vary by fare class, and there are weight and size limits for each class of service. 

As per British Airways baggage policy, oversized and overweight baggage incurs extra charges. The airline also accommodates sports equipment and musical instruments both as checked or carry-on baggage. These special items must adhere to the specific guidelines. 

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs