For international students, baggage allowances are always a problem when taking a flight. If you exceed the size or weight limits for your personal luggage, you either have to pay extra or give up the excess weight. Therefore, it is important to know the airline’s baggage requirements in detail before taking a flight. This article summarizes the baggage regulations of British Airways, the most famous airline in the UK.
Baggage Sizes and Weights of British Airways
Hand bag
- Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in)
- Up to 23kg (51lb)
- To be placed under the seat
- Guaranteed in the cabin
Cabin bag
- Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) – includes wheels and handles
- Up to 23kg (51lb)
- No valuables, electronics or essential medicines
- May need to go in the hold
Checked baggage
- Up to 90 x 75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17in)
- Up to 23kg (51lb) in Economy and Premium Economy
- Up to 32kg (70lb) in First and Business
- Checked in to the hold
Checked Baggage Allowance of British Airways
British Airways has a standard checked baggage weight allowance of 23kg and a maximum size allowance of 90 x 75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17 inches) per piece. The amount of baggage you can check in free of charge depends on your booking, cabin class and British Airways Club membership level. Each passenger can also pay for up to ten additional pieces of checked baggage, as long as these are used for personal items only. All passengers travelling on British Airways, BA Cityflyer and BA Euroflyer are allowed one handbag and one carrier bag.
| British Airways Baggage Allowance by Seat Class | ||
|---|---|---|
| Seat Class | Peices | Weight |
| Economy Basic (cabin and hand bag only) | No checked baggage | / |
| Economy (with checked bag) | 1 | 23kg |
| Premium economy | 2 | 23kg |
| Business | 2 | 32kg |
| First | 3 | 32kg |
| The British Airways Club | Gold and Silver Club members may have more allowance | |
British Airways Hand Baggage
All British Airways passengers can bring one piece of cabin baggage and one small item (e.g., a handbag or laptop bag) on board. Cabin baggage should not exceed 56 x 45 x 25 cm and small items should not exceed 40 x 30 x 15 cm. The weight of both pieces of baggage must not exceed 23kg. After boarding, the larger cabin baggage must be placed in the overhead locker, while the smaller item with the yellow sticker should be placed under the seat in front of you. On a heavily trafficked flight, you may be asked to check in extra carry-on baggage. Therefore, do not put any valuables or necessary medical supplies in your bag. If your hand baggage exceeds the allowance, it must be checked into the cargo hold and counted towards your checked baggage allowance, which may result in you being charged for excess baggage.
British Airways Overweight or Oversized Bags
If your checked baggage weighs more than the allowance, you may have to pay a heavy baggage charge. British Airways charges £65/€75/US$100/CAD$100 per piece of excess baggage and one-way journey. Please note that British Airways’ 23kg baggage weight limit applies to each piece of baggage, which cannot be split into multiple pieces, and baggage over 32kg will be refused registration.
If your checked-in baggage is larger than the standard dimensions but does not exceed 190 x 75 x 65 cm(baggage exceeding this size will not be checked), it will be considered oversized. You should always contact British Airways beforehand as oversized items may require special handling, and you should also aim to check your items at least 90 minutes before your flight to ensure that your items can travel with you. If your oversized baggage is sporting equipment such as a bike, skis or golf bag, please let British Airways know at the time of booking or at least 48 hours before your flight via the online chat facility on the Help page.
If you are flying from a country that uses a different local currency, the sterling amount will be converted to the local currency. At airports such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick and North American airports, you can only pay by credit or debit card. Cash is not accepted and you cannot pay with Avios.
British Airways Extra Baggage
You can pay to carry more checked-in luggage. The price of adding extra baggage depends on the route you are travelling on, ranging from £35 to £140 for online bookings and £75 to £165 for adding it at the airport. The table below shows the price range for adding extra baggage and compares the online price with the airport price. Please note that the “First Baggage” option is only available to passengers booking the Economy Class Basic fare, as all other fare types include the first checked bag as free checked baggage.
| Extra Baggage Cost | ||
|---|---|---|
| Checked Baggage – 23kg Max | Online Price | Airport Price |
| 1st Bag (only for Basic Economy) | £35-£80 | £75-£95 |
| 2nd Bag | £65-£80 | £75-£95 |
| 3rd Bag | £80-£140 | £95-£165 |
| 4th Bag | £80-£140 | £95-£165 |
British Airways Membership Card
If you have a British Airways loyalty card, you can enjoy extra baggage service.
| Membership Card Level | Benifit |
|---|---|
| Gold or oneworld Emerald | You can check in one additional piece of baggage with a weight limit of 32 kg (70 pounds). |
| Silver or oneworld Sapphire | You can check in 2 pieces of luggage in any travel cabin with a weight limit of 32 kg (70 pounds) |
British Airways Infant Baggage Allowance
If you are travelling with an infant (child under 24 months) on a British Airways, BA Euroflyer or BA Cityflyer flight, the infant will get a checked baggage allowance of 23kg, but this does not apply to Basic Economy tickets.
Special Luggage on British Airways
In addition to regular suitcases, you can also check in some irregular items such as musical instruments and sports equipment. These items may have special requirements and you need to double check the requirements before checking in.
Musical Instruments
If the size and weight of your musical instrument meet the baggage allowance, it can be checked in free of charge. If you have used your free checked baggage allowance, you may have to pay to put your instrument in the baggage hold. British Airways does not accept musical instruments in soft cases and you should always carry your instrument in a hard protective case, whether in the cabin or in the cargo hold. You should also take out adequate insurance for your instrument.
Small musical instrument cases up to 80 cm in length can be carried as part of your free hand luggage as long as the dimensions of the case do not exceed 80 x 45 x 25 cm (31 x 18 x 10 inches). This means that you can carry a small handbag and a smaller instrument case at the same time.
Musical instrument cases exceeding 80 cm and not exceeding 140 cm in length need to be registered as checked baggage. You can also purchase an extra seat in the cabin for your instrument next to you, but you must add the extra seat to your booking at least 48 hours before departure.
If your instrument is longer than 140cm or weighs more than 23kg (50 lbs), you may be subject to heavy baggage charges. British Airways can carry musical instruments up to a maximum weight of 45kg (99 lbs), and you need to contact your flight at least 24 hours before departure.
Sports Equipment
There is a wide range of sports equipment. In general, British Airways states that items exceeding the dimensions of 90 x 75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17in) can only be carried as cargo. With the exception of pedal bike boxes and ski equipment, which can be carried as checked baggage and are limited to a maximum size of 190 x 95 x 65cm (75 x 37.5 x 25.5in). However, you will need to pack the bike in a hard-shell case or padded protective bag and notify the flight three days (more than 72 hours) before departure and check and drop the bike at the airport’s oversized baggage drop-off area 90 minutes before departure. In addition, any device with a lithium battery installed is not permitted to be taken on board the aircraft, either in the cabin or in the cargo hold.
British Airways Restricted and Prohibited Items
According to British Airways baggage regulations, the following is a categorised summary of items that are restricted or prohibited from being carried on board an aircraft:
Liquids, creams, powders and aerosols
- Hand baggage:
≤100ml per liquid/gel/spray container, all containers to be placed in a transparent ziplock bag (≤20x20cm, total volume ≤1 litre). - Exception: Baby food/milk and medical liquids (proof required) can be carried in excess but need to be checked separately.
Checked baggage:
- Non-flammable and non-toxic aerosols (e.g. hairspray, perfume) are allowed, ≤500ml per piece and ≤2 litres in total per person.
- Alcoholic beverages: ≤24% alcohol concentration is not limited, 24%-70% alcohol concentration ≤5 litres, >70% is prohibited.
Electronic Equipment and Batteries
Hand baggage:
- Maximum 15 pieces of lithium-containing devices (e.g. mobile phones, laptops) per person with lithium battery Devices (e.g. mobile phones, laptops) with ≤ 4 spare batteries (≤ 100Wh).
- It must be designed to prevent short circuits or be insulated.
Checked baggage:
- Devices need to be switched off, the battery must be installed in the device, and it is prohibited to check in spare batteries. Prohibited.
- Prohibited: Damaged batteries, batteries with watt-hours (Wh) not labelled, and electric mobility devices (e.g. balance bikes and electric skateboards).
Dangerous Goods and Weapons
Completely prohibited:
Explosives (fireworks, detonators), Flammable substances (petrol, lighter fuel), corrosive substances (acid, bleach), toxic substances (pesticides). Electroshock weapons (e.g. Tasers), tear gas spray, knives (blade > 6cm), blunt objects (baseball bats, nunchaku).
Advance declaration required:
- Guns and ammunition must be consigned 72 hours in advance. Provide permit, ammunition ≤ 5kg.
- Camping fuel canisters need to be completely emptied and sealed.
Daily Item
Food:
- Solid foods (sandwiches, fruits) may be carried. Liquids/sauces are subject to liquid regulations.
- Meat, fruits and vegetables may be restricted at the destination (check the regulations of the country of entry).
Medical Supplies:
- Liquid medications/devices may be carried in excess and require a medical certificate.
- Mercury thermometers must be checked (for personal use only).
Other:
- Dry Ice: ≤2.5kg, labelled and packaged in breathable packaging.
- Christmas Cannon: Commercial packaging only, ≤ 2 boxes (12/box) (check with country of entry).
Smoking Devices
- E-cigarettes/atomisers must be carried at all times and are prohibited from being used or checked in.
- Some countries prohibit the entry of electronic cigarettes (check in advance).
Conclusion
Planning to travel on British Airways in 2025? Make sure your trip goes smoothly by adhering to the latest baggage regulations. Also, be sure to verify weight limits before travelling to the airport, be smart with your money and check your destination’s specific rules to avoid fees or delays. For the most up-to-date information, visit British Airways’ official pre-departure guide – Travelling Safely!
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FAQ
What is the baggage allowance for British Airways?
All passengers are allowed one hand luggage and one laptop or handbag. As for checked baggage, most economy passengers are allowed one piece of luggage weighing no more than 23kg, while business and first-class passengers enjoy additional weight and quantity limits.
How much is an extra 23kg baggage on British Airways?
Prices for an extra 23kg of luggage booked in advance online usually start at £20 for a short flight and can go as high as £60 for a long flight.
Can I check 2 bags with British Airways?
Of course, you can check two pieces of luggage on British Airways, depending on the type of ticket and class you choose for your trip.
How big can your cabin bag be on British Airways?
The maximum size for your larger cabin bag on British Airways is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (including handles and wheels), and it weighs up to 23kg. You are also allowed one smaller personal item, such as a handbag or laptop bag, which must be no larger than 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.
Can I take a backpack and a carry-on on British Airways?
Yes, you can take a backpack and one carry-on on British Airways. The airline allows you to board with one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item. You can carry a backpack, handbag, or laptop bag, and there are basically no additional fees.
What is the 3:1:1 rule on British Airways?
British Airways’ “3-1-1 Rule” refers to the general term for the liquid restrictions in passengers’ luggage. The rule requires that the liquids you carry be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, and that they be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter (approximately 20 × 20 cm).
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