Checked baggage
Checked baggage
You are entitled to a free baggage allowance, which will vary depending on which class of travel and ticket type you book. You can take extra bags with you for a charge and save money when you pay online before you fly.
- Size and weight of free baggage allowances
- Cost of taking extra bags over your free allowance
- Travelling with one of our partner airlines (codeshare)
- Allowances for people with limited mobility (wheelchairs)
- Door-to-door baggage service
Size and weight of free baggage allowances
How large can my bag be?
The dimensions of the bag should be:
- 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5ins x 29.5ins x 16ins), including the handle, pockets and wheels.
What to do with larger/bulky items:
- You may take bags up to the dimensions 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in), including the handle, pockets and wheels.
- This allows you to take items such as sporting equipment and musical instruments etc at no additional cost.
- These larger bags can take longer to arrive from your flight and are generally delivered to a separate area of the baggage hall.
What is my allowance?
Notice for customers with flights booked before 7 October 2009
There were some changes made on 7 October 2009, which mean that different rules apply to you.
Checked baggage allowances for flights booked before 7 October 2009Travelling in more than one cabin
If you are travelling in more than one cabin i.e.outbound in economy and the return in business class, you will be given the more generous allowance for the whole journey.
Travelling with separate tickets
If you are travelling on separate tickets the baggage allowance for each ticket will apply individually.
Free baggage allowances for all flights booked from 7 October 2009
Free allowances for all flights EXCEPT Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada
| Adults and children(aged 12 years and over) | Weight per bag | Children(aged 2-11) | Infants under 2 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Club World | Three bags | 23kg free (up to 32kg*) | Same as adult allowance plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat |
One bag plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat. |
| Club Europe | Two bags | 23kg free (up to 32kg*) | ||
| World Traveller Plus | Two bags | 23kg free (up to 32kg at £30/US$50**) | ||
| World Traveller Euro Traveller Domestic | One bag | 23kg free (up to 32kg at £30/US$50**) | ||
|
Gold and Silver Executive Club members can carry two bags up to 32kg (BA will waive the heavy bag charge) in all cabins, on all routes, unless the cabin allowance is greater. | ||||
Free allowances for Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada
| Adults and children(aged 12 years and over) | Weight per bag | Children(aged 2-11) | Infants under 2 years | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Club World | Three bags | 23kg free (up to 32kg*) | Same as Adult allowance plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat |
One standard- sized bag plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat |
| World Traveller Plus World Traveller | Two bags | 23kg free (up to 32kg at £30/US$50**) | ||
|
Gold and Silver Executive Club members can carry two bags up to 32kg (BA will waive the heavy bag charge) in all cabins, on all routes, unless the cabin allowance is greater. | ||||
Large and heavy bags
If you want to take bags which are larger or heavier than the guide given above, you will need to send them as cargo. The only exceptions are musical instruments and film equipment weighing less than 45kg that cannot be broken down and that we have been notified of in advance.
Go to British Airways World Cargo
Contact usSporting equipment
- There is no additional allowance for sporting equipment, but it can still be carried free of charge as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
- If it is in addition to your free checked baggage allowance, you will need to pay extra bag charges.
- We will only accept sporting equipment if it is packed appropriately (to avoid damage) and meets the dimension and weight restrictions.
We have some advice for packing specific types of sporting equipment for travel.
Find out about carrying sporting equipmentMusical instruments
- There is no additional allowance for musical instruments, but they can be carried as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
- If the instrument is in addition to your free checked baggage allowance, you will need to pay an extra bag charge.
- We will accept a musical instrument between 23-45kg and up to the dimensions: 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in) only if that piece cannot be broken down.
- A double bass will still be accepted even if it exceeds the maximum dimensions.
- You must notify us at the time of booking or at least minimum of 24 hours before your flight, if you are travelling with a musical instrument.
Cost of taking extra bags over your free allowance
- In addition to your free allowance, you can pay to check in up to 10 extra bags per person.
- Extra bags have the same size limits, as outlined above.
- Checked baggage allowances on codeshare, oneworld and alliance partners may differ. Charges may apply.
Extra bag charges
| Flights within the UK, Europe and Russia | All other international flights | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of bags | Online | At the airport | Online | At the airport |
| Departing from all countries except the US | ||||
| 1st extra bag over free allowance | £28 per bag | £35 per bag | £32 per bag | £40 per bag |
| Further extra bags | £72 per bag | £90 per bag | ||
| Departing from the US | ||||
| 1st extra bag over free allowance | $40 per bag | $50 per bag | $48 per bag | $60 per bag |
| Further extra bags | $112 per bag | $140 per bag | ||
| ||||
How to pay for extra bags
You need to go to your booking and then choose the option to 'Change your baggage allowance' in Manage My Booking.
Pay for extra baggage using Manage My BookingTravelling with one of our partner airlines (codeshare)
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've made a booking and are unsure who the carrier is, check in 'Manage My Booking'.
Allowances for people with limited mobility (wheelchairs)
You can take up to 2 wheelchairs free of charge in addition to your free checked baggage allowance (per person with reduced mobility).
Wheelchairs will be carried irrespective of weight.
If your wheelchair weighs over 32kgs (70lbs):
- please notify us at the time of making your booking, or
- contact us later but at least 24 hours before you fly.
Find out more about the disability assistance offered by British Airways
Battery operated wheelchairs
Please note that battery-operated wheelchairs must be properly prepared for carriage.
Instructions for preparing battery powered wheelchairs for travel
If you are in any doubt or require assistance, please contact us for further information and guidance.
Find out more about the disability assistance offered by British Airways
Door-to-door baggage service
Do you prefer to 'travel light' and avoid the need for queuing 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.
Find out more about First Luggage's servicing and booking on-line