British Airways Baggage Policy – Fees & Allowance. British Airways utilizes a pretty classic baggage allowance system, dependent on cabin class.
Fees for additional luggage per piece depend on when you purchase your baggage allowance, your cabin class and lastly (at times), whether you’re flying out of Gatwick / Stanstead, or any other route.
If you’re travelling with British Airways on an upcoming flight, here’s everything you need to know about your British Airways baggage allowance and fees.
British Airways (BA) Carry-On Allowance
British Airways passengers are allowed one (1) piece of hand baggage plus a laptop or handbag.
- Your main piece of hand luggage must not exceed the dimensions 22″ x 18″ x 10″ (56cm x 45cm x 25cm), including the handle, pockets and wheels. It must be able to fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area.
- Your laptop or handbag must not exceed the dimensions 18″ x 14″ x 8″ (45cm x 36cm x 20cm), including the handle and pockets and must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
REMINDER: Bulkhead seats do not have underseat storage during take-off and landing.
British Airways (BA) Checked Baggage Allowance
For travel on all flights EXCEPT to/from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Sierra Leone and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada:
- World Traveler, Euro Traveler, UK Domestic (Economy): 1 bag free weighing 23kg (51 lb)
- World Traveler, Euro Traveler, UK Domestic (full-fare Economy): 2 bags free weighing 23kg (51 lb)
- World Traveler Plus (Premium Economy): 2 bags free weighing 23kg (51 lb)
- Club Europe (Business): 2 bags free weighing 32kg(70 lb)
- First Club World (Business): 3 bags free weighing 32 kg (70 lb)
- You may take bags up to the dimensions 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5″ x 29.5″ x 16″), including the handle, pockets and wheels. Any bags carried in addition to your free checked baggage allowance will incur an extra bag charge.
British Airways (BA) Excess Baggage
Passengers may pay for extra luggage at the airport; however, they may be charged at a higher rate.
When paying for extra luggage online, these prices apply to the first extra bag:
- First Club World: £77/$119/€98
- World Traveller Plus: £77/$119/€98
- World Traveller Y class (full-fare Economy): £77/$119/€98
- World Traveller: £34/$51/€43
- Club Europe: £34/$51/€43
- Euro Traveller UK Domestic: £34/$51/€43
When paying for extra luggage online, these prices apply to further extra bags:
- First Club World: £77/$119/€98
- World Traveller Plus: £77/$119/€98
- World Traveller Y class (full-fare Economy): £77/$119/€98
- World Traveller: £77/$119/€98
- Club Europe: £34/$51/€43
- Euro Traveller UK Domestic: £34/$51/€43
Economy Hand Baggage Only (Basic)
| Route | Purchased Online | Purchased at the airport |
| Short-haul to/from London City Airport | First bag: £25/$40/€35 – £40/$60/€55 Additional bags: £60/$90/€70 | £65/$100/€75 |
| Short-haul to/from London Gatwick Airport | First bag: £20/$30/€25 – £36/$56/€46 Additional bags: £36/$55/€46 – £46/$75/€56 | £50/$75/€65 |
| Short-haul to/from London Heathrow Airport | First bag: £25/$40/€35 – £48/$72/€66 Additional bags: £60/$90/€70 | £75/$110/€85 |
| Short-haul to/from London Stansted, Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester | First bag: £20/$30/€25 – £35/$55/€45 Additional bags: £60/$90/€70 | £65/$100/€75 |
| Long-haul to/from USA, Canada, Mexico from London Gatwick | First bag: £40/$55/€45 Second bag: £60/$90/€70 Third+ bags: £120/$180/€140 | First extra bag: £45/$60/€50 Second extra bag: £65/$100/€75 Third+ bags: £140/$200/€150 |
| All other Long-haul flights | First bag: £60/$90/€70 Second bag: £60/$90/€70 Third+ bags: £120/$180/€140 | First bag: £75/$110/€85 Second bag: £75/$110/€85 Third+ bags: £140/$200/€150 |
British Airways (BA) Overweight Baggage Fees
- Bags between 51-70lbs (23-32kgs) departing from the US: $100
- Bags between 51-70lbs (23-32kgs) departing from all other locations: £40 or local equivalent at check-in
Any single bag weighing over 70 lbs/32 kg will not be accepted and must be shipped separately as freight or cargo.
Contact British Airways World Cargo for more information
British Airways (BA) Oversize Baggage Fees
Any single bag measuring over 75in x 29.5in x 25.5in (190cm x 75cm x 65cm), including the handle, pockets and wheels will not be accepted and must be shipped separately as freight or cargo.
Sports Equipment
Some checked items, such as surfboards and bicycles will be charged a fixed handling fee because of size, fragility, or other handling requirements while others may be checked in lieu of one of your checked bags.
If you plan to travel with sporting equipment, contact British Airways directly to confirm packing regulations and fees or visit BA’s Special Baggage Information Page.
CPAP Devices:
You do not need medical clearance to travel with or use a CPAP machine for sleep apnoea.
British Airways does recommend using a dry cell battery to operate your machine just in case the power point near your seat is not working.
The maximum power output of our laptop point is 75 watts.
If your machine needs more power than this then the power point will automatically switch off.
How much can my suitcase weigh on British Airways?
When flying British Airways, all checked bags must not exceed 51 pounds (23 kg) for Economy & Premium Economy passengers and 70 pounds (32 kg) for Business and First Class passengers.
Bags that are heavier than these standard allowances will be subject to excess baggage fees.
Standard carry-on baggage cannot weigh more than 51 pounds (23 kg).
Is luggage included with British Airways?
Luggage is included with British Airways on all fares apart from their Economy Basic fare (hand baggage only).
The standard allowance is 1 bag (50 pounds/23 kg) for Economy (apart from selected routes which allow 2), 2 bags for Premium Economy (50 pounds/23 kg each), 2 bags for Business Class (70 pounds/32 kg) and 3 bags for First Class (70 pounds/32 kg).
How big can a carry-on bag be for British Airways?
British Airways allows passengers to bring 1 standard piece of carry-on that must not exceed 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm) with a maximum weight of 51 pounds (23 kg).
An additional personal item can be brought onboard that cannot be larger than 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm) with the same weight allowance as a standard carry-on piece.
How much is excess baggage on British Airways?
Excess baggage fees for British Airways depend on the route.
If your bag exceeds the standard baggage allowance weighing 51-70 pounds (23-32 kg) then you will be subject to a fee of $100.
Baggage heavier than 70 pounds (32 kg) will not be accepted by British Airways.
Baggage that is larger than the standard checked baggage allowance of 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm) is permitted up to 75 x 29.5 x 25.5 inches (190 x 75 x 65 cm) and BA states that they currently waive the fee but this might come into effect at some point in the future.