Your Guide to British Airways Baggage Allowance​

British Airways Baggage Allowance 2025​

Find out all you need to know about your British Airways international baggage allowance​, including the rules on restricted and oversized items. This blog provides you with all the information about British Airways baggage size and British Airways baggage restrictions​. 

British Airways Baggage Allowance: An Overview

British Airways typically accepts 23 kg of weight per checked bag. The amount of free checked baggage you are permitted will vary depending on your reservation, cabin class, and British Airways Club membership level. Up to 10 extra hold bags are also available for purchase by each user, provided they are used exclusively for personal belongings. Even on flights with basic fares, all passengers on British Airways, BA Cityflyer, and BA Euroflyer are permitted to bring a handbag and a cabin bag.

Economy BasicOnly a handbag and the cabin, no checked luggage
EconomyOne bag weighing 23 kilograms (with checked baggage)
Premium Economy2 bags weighing 23 kgs
Business 2 bags weighing 32 kg
First 3 bags weighing 32 kgs
Members of the British Airways ClubThe Gold and Silver Club may be eligible for additional benefits.

If you are flying internationally soon, here is everything you need to know about British Airways’ International baggage allowance and baggage fees.

Your British Airways baggage allowance may vary depending on your cabin class and frequent flyer status. 

British Airways Hand Baggage Allowance

You already know that British Airways allows flyers to bring a single carry-on item on board. Wait, you had no clue about this? In the given breakdown, you will get clarity about the British Airways hand baggage allowance. It is as follows:

  • Maximum dimensions: 40 x 30 x 15 cm (16 x 12 x 6 in)
  • Maximum Weight: 23 kg (51 lb) 
  • Necessary items such as prescription drugs, cell phones, other modern gadgets, and passports

Note: When traveling by air, you should place your smaller handbags under the seat in front of you and your larger bags in the overhead compartment.

Hand luggage must be checked into the aircraft’s hold and counts toward the British Airways checked baggage allowance if it exceeds the airline’s baggage limits. For the additional baggage, the traveler will be assessed excess baggage costs at the airport.

British Airways Hand Baggage Packing Tips:

Packing smart is key when flying with British Airways. Here are the top tips to maximize your hand baggage allowance.

  • Put cash, jewelry, and critical travel documents in your hand luggage.
  • To avoid the hassle of losing your boarding pass, use the British Airways app.
  • Boarding tickets for up to eight passengers in your reservation can be downloaded to your smartphone.
  • Pack any liquid medication or syringes you need to take in your hand luggage, if feasible, in their original packaging. To prevent delays at airport security, you should also have a prescription or a letter from your doctor attesting to its prescription status.
  • Observe their rules when bringing foods, liquids, gels, aerosols, and other prohibited items.
  • Any electrical or battery-operated gadget, including computers, tablets, e-books, and phones, should be charged. Security at the airport may ask you to turn them on.

British Airways Checked Baggage Allowance:

The British Airways checked baggage allowance for international trips depends on the cabin class. Given below are the British Airways baggage limits​ depending on the cabin class:

  • Up to 35 x 30 x 17 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm)
  • In Economy and Premium Economy, up to 23 kilograms (51 lb)
  • In First and Business, 32 kilograms (70 lb) or more 
  • Entered the hold.
Economy Basic0 x Bags / Hand Luggage Only
Economy1 x Bag at 23KG
Premium Economy2 x Bags at 23KG each
Business Class2 x Bags at 32KG each
First Class3 x Bags at 32KG each

British Airways Checked Baggage Packing Tips:

Make the most of your checked baggage allowance with these smart packing tips for British Airways travelers.

  • Ensure you pack suitable clothing and footwear, and check the weather forecast for your destination.
  • Shoes and other heavy goods should be placed at the bottom of your luggage when it is upright.
  • To minimize creasing, fold or roll smaller items, such as socks or underwear, to fill the entire space in your luggage.
  • To prevent spills, place your toiletries in a washbag and cover any open bottles or tubes with tape or place each one in its plastic bag.
  • Remember to allow space for shopping. If you anticipate needing additional space on your return trip, consider bringing a lightweight, foldable bag; however, be mindful not to exceed your free checked luggage allowance.

British Airways Extra Baggage Allowance

The cost of your British Airways extra baggage allowance depends on the route you are flying through. If there is extra baggage, the passenger should use the price calculate on the British Airways website to check the fee. Extra baggage can be added online or at the airport, but it might be cost-efficient to add it online.

Passengers will be charged £65 if they arrive at the airport with more luggage than they purchased, provided that it weighs less than 32 kg. Passengers must send their suitcase as unaccompanied baggage if it weighs more than 32 kg, which entails paying a fee and having their bag arrive later.

British Airways Infant Baggage Allowance

Infants (children under 24 months old) traveling on British Airways, BA Euroflyer, or BA Cityflyer flights without a seat are entitled to 23 kg of checked luggage.

Economy Basic rates are exempt from this, as they do not enable checked luggage. A passenger cannot bring extra luggage for a baby who doesn’t have a seat.

Which items are prohibited in hand luggage?

For safety concerns, several things are prohibited by law and cannot be brought on a trip. An extensive list of prohibited items, including those completely prohibited from entering an aircraft, can be found on British Airways’ website.

You are not permitted to bring the following items as hand baggage on a plane:

  • Sharp items and blades
  • Explosives and chemicals
  • Tools and blunt objects that have the potential to be weapons
  • Ammunition and firearms 

Get Your Bags Ready 

Before you head to the airport, ensure your bags meet the British Airways Baggage Allowance 2025 guidelines with these essential tips.

  • Get a digital baggage scale to check the weight of your bags and prevent fees at the airport.
  • Remove all barcode stickers and baggage tags from previous flights.
  • Write your name, phone number, email address, and destination address on the outside of your bags as well as on the inside.
  • To stand out on the carousel, add colorful tags or straps.
  • Secure your bags’ slack straps and protruding handles to prevent snagging.
  • Use a TSA-approved padlock if you plan to secure your suitcase to avoid potential damage in the event that security inspectors or baggage handlers need to open it.

British Airways Additional Baggage Fees and Restrictions

You will be required to pay extra costs if the weight of your hand luggage when flying on British Airways is greater than the permitted limits.

Oversized or overweight luggage

If you are flying economy and your bag weighs more than 23 kg, or traveling premium and your bag weighs more than 32 kg, you will be charged an extra fee. The bag’s size is no different. Passengers are allowed to bring a carry on size British Airways bag not larger than 190 cm x 75 cm x 65 cm.

Sports equipment and unique items

Sports enthusiasts who frequently travel with sporting goods, such as skis and golf clubs, can bring them on British Airways, subject to specific rules outlined in the airline’s baggage allowance standards. Additionally, bringing musical instruments, such as guitars, may qualify for special handling or be included in your British Airways baggage allowance.

British Airways Pet Baggage Allowance

Pets are permitted on British Airways flights, but there are restrictions and additional fees apply in certain circumstances. Before bringing your pet on a British Airways flight, you should review the airline’s baggage policies.

Wrapping Up

All tickets on British Airways include a complimentary carry-on bag and a personal item. However, booking one of its cheapest basic economy flights will not allow you to check a bag for free. At least one checked bag, weighing up to 51 pounds (23 kilograms), is included with all other flights; for business and first class fares, the maximum weight is 70 pounds (32 kilograms).

Depending on their status tier and booking class, Oneworld Elite members may be eligible for an extra checked bag on British Airways. But even high-end elites cannot get around British Airways’ ban on basic economy tickets.

Related FAQs

What is meant by hold luggage?

When you go to the airport, you will check in your hold luggage. You won’t be able to access this larger luggage while in flight because they are placed in the airplane’s hold.

What is the size of carry-on luggage for British Airways?

On average, the British Airways carry on luggage size is 190 cm x 75 cm x 65 cm, and this must not exceed. 

What do you mean by checked baggage?

Hold luggage can also be referred to as checked baggage or checked baggage. Although the names are used interchangeably, they have the same meaning.

What happens if my bag weighs more than the allowed amount?

Weighing your luggage in advance is advised because overweight suitcases will attract additional fees.

How much compensation do you get for lost baggage with British Airways?

If baggage is destroyed, British Airways lost baggage, or damaged baggage, the airline is responsible for up to 1,519 SDRs (around £1,600 in GB). Unless the baggage was defective, it is accountable for checked baggage even if it is not at fault. Only if the carrier is at fault can they be held responsible for unchecked baggage.

Can I get my money back if I don’t need the extra baggage?

Any prepayment for additional luggage that is canceled online prior to check-in will be reimbursed by British Airways. Once the flight has departed, British Airways cannot accept any refund claims or modifications to the pre-payment of additional luggage. Unless otherwise noted, British Airways will only reimburse the credit card used to purchase the extra luggage.

How much luggage is permitted on British Airways International Baggage Allowance?

Depending on the airline, travel class, and destination, international flights typically allow a variety of bags. The typical weight limit for checked baggage in economy class is 23 kg (50 lbs) per bag. Business and first-class passengers may be entitled to larger baggage allowances, such as two bags up to 32 kg (70 lbs) apiece.

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