Checked baggage
When you check your baggage on to your flight (at the airport check-in desk or the Fast Bag Drop point), you will receive one baggage tag receipt per bag, which you should keep safe.
When you travel on any flight with British Airways, you are entitled to a free baggage allowance at check-in, provided the bags meet certain specifications.
Your free checked baggage weight allowances
The weight of each bag:
- must not exceed 23kg (51lbs) for the free allowance to apply
- must not exceed 32kg (70lbs) for it to be checked in
You will need to pay £25 ($45 for journeys from all US airports) at the check-in desk for each bag or item that is over the maximum free allowance weight limit of 23kg (51lbs). This fee will be converted into the local currency during the check-in process.
Your free checked baggage size and dimensions allowance
The size of each bag:
-
must not exceed 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5ins x 29.5ins x 16ins), including the handle, pockets and wheels for the free allowance to apply
- must not exceed 240cm x 75cm x 65cm (94.5ins x 29.5ins x 25.5ins) for it to be checked in You will need to pay £25 ($45 for journeys from all US airports) at the check-in desk for each bag or item that is over the maximum free allowance size limit of 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5ins x 29.5ins x 16ins). This fee will be converted into the local currency during the check-in process.
Some of your baggage may be larger than the allowances or you may wish to carry specific sporting equipment.
Large items may be carried carried as cargo or freight.
Your maximum number of free checked baggage items
Allowances for all UK domestic routes
| Passenger | Free checked allowance |
|---|---|
| Adults and children (aged 12 years and over) | One standard-sized bag |
| Children (aged 2 - 11) and infants (under 2 years) |
One standard-sized bag |
Allowances for European and all other international routes (excluding USA, Canada, Caribbean, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria and South America)
| Passenger | Free checked allowance |
|---|---|
| Adults and children (aged 12 years and over) | FIRST and Club World: Three standard-sized bags |
| Children (aged 2 - 11) | As above and |
| Infants (under 2 years) | All cabins: One standard-sized bag |
Allowances for USA, Canada, Caribbean, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Nigeria and South America
| Passenger | Free checked allowance |
|---|---|
| Adults and children (aged 12 years and over) |
FIRST and Club World: Three standard-sized bags |
| Children (aged 2 - 11) |
As above and |
| Infants under 2 years |
All cabins |
If you want to check in more bags than the free allowance, you will need to pay an additional fee, which is dependent on your destination.
Additional and overweight bags
If you have a large number of bags, you can still check them in but you will need to pay a fee per bag for the service. You can get a discount if you pre-pay for each bag online.
We will not accept merchandise or any items for commercial purposes as checked baggage.
Transferring to another flight
If you are travelling with an airline operating on behalf of British Airways, that airline's baggage policy will apply. Our franchises use smaller planes, which means that your allowances will be smaller.
If you have purchased one ticket for the entire journey that includes flights with other airlines:
- you will receive the most generous allowance available
- we will recognize the standard weight allowance of the other airline
- the number of bags must not exceed the allowance for your class of travel for the British Airways flights in your itinerary
If you have purchased separate tickets for each airline in your journey:
- the individual airline's baggage allowances will apply for each flight
- additional allowances offered by another airline will only be applicable to the flights of that airline
Allowances for those passengers with limited mobility
If you use a wheelchair or mobility aid and are travelling on a route where the allowance is one bag:
- we will increase the allowance to two bags
- the joint weight must not exceed 23kg (51lbs)
Wheelchairs will be carried irrespective of weight.
However, if your wheelchair weighs over 32kg (70lbs):
- please notify us at the time of making your booking
or
- you can contact us later but at least 24 hours before you fly
Please note that battery-operated wheelchairs must be properly prepared for carriage. If you are in any doubt or require assistance, please contact us for further information and guidance.
Door-to-door baggage service
Do you prefer to 'travel light' and avoid the need for queueing up at the check-in or Fast Bag Drop desks at the airport? We provide a service, in conjunction with our partner First Luggage, where your luggage can be collected from your home or office prior to your departure and then delivered to your destination, irrespective of your class of travel.