Everything You Need to Know About British Airways’ Baggage Allowance

BA Baggage Allowance and Fees

Travelling with the airline soon? Here’s everything you need to know about your BA baggage allowance and fees.

British Airways updated baggage rules information regarding allowed measures per passenger, and the cost of additional charges is written below. However, the airline allowed its passengers to keep their most personal belongings with them by letting them enter the flight cabin with a small suitcase free of charge.

BA Hand luggage Rules

BA Hand Baggage

All passengers can carry one piece of hand luggage and one small item (handbag or laptop) on board. It is important to note that BA hand luggage must be at most 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, and the small item, in addition to your luggage, must be at most 40cm x 30cm x 15cm. Both items can weigh up to 23kg each.

If your BA hand baggage does exceed the limit, it will be checked into the hold. This can be added to your checked BA baggage allowance. However, if your hand luggage exceeds this, you will be charged an excess baggage fee.

The same allowances apply on hand baggage only (Basic) fares, which are available on selected British Airways short and long-haul flights.

BA Checked Luggage Rules

The passengers of British Airways can pack up to ten bags, not exceeding the weight 23kg for Economy and Premium Economy and 32kg for business and first-class, the size of 90CM X 75CM X 43 CM or lesser. British Airways won’t allow splitting the weight across all bags; it has to be under the assigned measurements and weighing.

The charges start from £20 for the first bag (for hand baggage only ticket) and £60 for additional bags fixed by the departing airport and destination. British Airways will charge an additional £65 for a bag per journey if the limit exceeds. Any other larger bags have to go into the hold to check in.

Delayed, Lost & Damaged Baggage

British Airways takes great pride in safely transporting your bags to your final destination. However, in the unfortunate event of a missing/delayed/lost bag, you can do the following:

• Report & Track – includes delayed, missing, damaged or missing items.
• Make a Claim – includes damaged and lost baggage.
• Find Lost Property – Find items you’ve misplaced at an airport or aircraft.

Extra and Overweight baggage

When packing, stay within the weight limit, the airline authorities give. Make sure to measure appropriately and divide your valuable and non-valuable items correctly.

Sporting Goods and Musical Instruments

Inform the airline about your musical instruments or sporting goods beforehand to determine the additional costs or overweight costs. 

BA Baggage Allowance for Infants & Children

No matter which cabin an infant is travelling in, British Airways allows a 23kg bag to be checked into the hold. Travelling with your infant on a hand baggage-only (Basic) fare does not include checked BA baggage allowance.

Children, and infants with a seat, have the same free baggage allowance as adults. 

BA Hand Luggage & Medical Equipment

Medical equipment is not subject to weight limits or overweight charges. You can, however, only bring a certain number of checked bags for medication or medical supplies. When checking in at the airport, an official medical letter must support all checked bags with medical supplies. On busy flights, you may be asked to check your larger cabin bag, so pack essential medications that will travel in the cabin into hand luggage.

BA Baggage – banned and restricted items

• Toiletries
• Liquide medicine
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• Liquid components of e-cigarettes
• Food items, such as soups, sauces, jam and jelly (separate guidelines for baby food)
• Powders on flights to the USA and from Australia (coffee, sugar, spices, powdered milk, cosmetics)

Laws will ease some requirements depending on the circumstance, and please check important security information before packing.

Packaging Tips

BA Hand baggage tips

• Always store your valuables, money, and travel documents in your hand baggage.
• Keep the British airways mobile app installed and your mobile phone handy at all times to access your boarding pass in case of an emergency.
• If you are taking medication, keep your prescription handy and pack your medicine, including liquids or syringes, in your hand baggage.
• Always follow British Airways guidelines when carrying treatment and restricted items.
• Keep your electronic devices fully charged.

BA Checked baggage tips

• Pack your baggage according to your destination’s weather forecast.
• Place heavy items at the bottom of the baggage.
• To reduce bending, fill gaps between the spaces by rolling and placing smaller items, such as socks and underwear.
• Place toiletries in separate plastic bags, especially seal liquid items by covering its top using tape.
• Always limit the weight of your belongings to the free offered baggage allowance.

If you have concerns about the BA baggage allowance, deal prices, or booking a holiday trip, please consult one of our Travel Specialists.