2025 British Airways Baggage Allowance for Hand Luggage and Checked Baggage

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British Airways Baggage Allowance for Hand Luggage:

One larger item of hand luggage measuring 56 x 45 x 25 cm, plus one personal item (such as a laptop or handbag) measuring 40 x 30 x 15 cm. Each bag must weigh no more than 23 kg.

Infants under two years of age are only permitted one cabin bag, for items they may need during the flight.

Compare British Airways' hand luggage allowance to that of other airlines.

What If My Hand Luggage Is Overweight/ Oversized?

If a bag exceeds the dimensions or weight permitted by British Airways’ baggage allowance, or if a passenger has more than two items of hand luggage, these excess items will be placed in the hold. If this means the customer has now exceeded their checked baggage allowance, they will be charged a fee.

British Airways Cabin Baggage Allowance for Infants

When travelling with an infant under two years of age sitting on your lap, you will be able to bring an additional baby bag with you onto the plane as carry-on luggage. If a seat is purchased for the infant, they are entitled to the same hand luggage allowance as an adult.

What Items Are Not Permitted in BA Hand Luggage?

Prohibited items include:

Firearms,

Ammunition,

Explosive substances such as fireworks,

Axes,

Swords,

Crowbars,

Saws.

British Airways Checked Baggage Allowance:

On most flights the Economy allowance is one item of luggage up to 23 kg. The dimensions of a checked bag must not exceed 90 x 75 x 43 cm. The number of permitted checked items varies according to the customer’s fare type and route.

‘Hand baggage only’ fares do not allow checked baggage free of charge, but bags can be added to a hand baggage only booking, with prices ranging from £25 to £75 for the first bag, one way, depending on the route travelled and whether you purchase your allowance online or at the airport. Cost increases for each subsequent bag added to booking.

Elite fare types provide higher luggage allowances.

British Airways Excess Baggage Fees

If bags weigh more than the passenger’s baggage allowance permits, the passenger will be required to pay £65 or $100 USD per bag and per one-way journey.

British Airways Checked Baggage and Exceptional Items

Many exceptional baggage items, such as sports equipment and musical instruments, can be checked as part of British Airways’ baggage allowance. Items over the standard checked baggage size can still be checked, as long as they don't exceed 190 x 75 x 65 cm or the permitted weight allowance.

Information correct as of 21/03/2025.

Other airline baggage allowances:

Virgin Atlantic Baggage Allowance

EasyJet Baggage Allowance

Delta Baggage Allowance

British Airways Baggage News

18/11/2017: BA Announce Boarding According to Ticket Price

In an unusual announcement, BA have said that they will be boarding passengers according to how much they have paid for their ticket. That means that those passengers who have paid the least for their ticket will be boarded last. This is likely to reveal to fellow passengers who got the best deal for similar seats.

British Airways News

06/06/2020: British Airways Threatens Legal Action Over UK Quarantine Rules

Frictions are rising between British Airways and the UK government over the 14-day quarantine period for travellers arriving into the country and the airline is now said to be seriously considering taking legal action.