You can take advantage of our generous free hand baggage allowance, which you take onto the aircraft with you. There are size and weight limits that apply.
Open all linksClose all linksHand baggage allowance
- You are allowed one piece of hand baggage plus a laptop or handbag.
- A 23kg (51lbs) maximum bag weight applies and you must be able to lift the bag unaided into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin.
- Please see below for sizes.
- Your main piece of hand baggage is up to the dimensions 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.
- Your bag must fit into the bag gauge, available at the check-in area.
- Your laptop or handbag is up to the dimensions 45cm x 36cm x 20cm (18in x 14in x 8in), including the handle and pockets.
- Your laptop or handbag must fit under the seat in front of you.
Your maximum number of hand baggage items
Number of hand baggage items
| Passenger | Type of baggage allowed | Weight |
|---|
| Adults and children(aged 2 and over) | One bag
and
One laptop-sized bag, handbag or briefcase | 23kg (51lbs).
You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. |
| Infants (under 2 years) | One bag (for items your infant may require during the flight) | You must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker unaided. |
If you are travelling on a flight operated by American Airlines, American Airlines’ allowance on hand baggage will apply. This may mean that your hand baggage will have to be checked in as hold baggage. In this case no charge for excess baggage would be applied.
Please follow the links on this page to ‘Information if you're travelling on American Airlines’ for more information about their baggage allowances.
Allowance for flights operated for us by franchise airlines
If you are travelling on a route operated by another airline on behalf of British Airways, the following allowances apply:
Franchise hand baggage allowances
| Carrier | Flight numbers | Aircraft | Class of travel | Hand bag allowance (max) |
|---|
| Comair | BA6200 - 6449 | All | All | 7kg (15lbs) |
| Sunair of Scandinavia | BA8200 - 8299 | All | All | 6kg (13lbs) |
| The aircraft used by these airlines are smaller than those used by British Airways and so the maximum baggage weight and size allowances are smaller. |
Baggage allowances on other airlines
We have partnerships with other airlines to offer you more destinations worldwide, so even if you've booked direct with British Airways, one or more of your flights may be operated by another airline. In this case you should contact the operating airline for information about their baggage allowances.
If you travel with British Airways and another airline during your journey, the British Airways baggage allowance may be more generous and you could be charged for extra baggage by the other airline.
If you are travelling on a flight operated by American Airlines or Iberia, please follow the links on this page to ‘Information if you're travelling on American Airlines or Iberia’ for more information about their baggage allowances.
If you've made a booking and are unsure which airline it is on, you can find out in 'Manage My Booking'.
Manage my booking
Find out more about airline alliances
Transfer passengers travelling with liquids
If you buy any individual liquid, gel or cream products of more than 100ml on board a flight and you are transferring onto another flight, please ask a member of cabin crew to place your purchases and receipt inside a clear tamper-proof bag, which must be sealed.
Any products not sealed in a clear tamper-proof bag with the receipt are liable to be confiscated in transit or at disembarkation.
British Airways cannot accept liability for any products that are confiscated.
Find out more about restrictions on liquidsMusical instruments
- Small musical instruments within the maximum size and weight limits for hand baggage may be carried onboard as part of your free hand baggage allowance.
- Larger musical instruments must be carried as checked baggage. Each item will count as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
- It may be possible to purchase an extra seat for your musical instrument, depending on availability. If you would like to book an extra seat for a musical instrument, please make the booking through your nearest British Airways office. Extra seats cannot be booked through ba.com.
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