For flights on British Airways 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. Any bag that is heavier than the free weight allowance may incur an overweight baggage charge, payable at check-in.
If your booking includes flights on an airline other than British Airways, your baggage allowance may differ from the British Airways allowances shown. Please see the information below under 'Baggage allowances on other airlines'.
Open all linksClose all linksSize and weight of free baggage allowances
How large can my bag be?
The maximum dimensions of the bag are:
90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5in x 29.5in x 16 in), 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.
- Any bags carried in addition to your free checked baggage allowance will incur an extra bag charge.
- A heavy bag charge may apply to bags over 23kg (51lb).
What is my allowance?
Travelling in more than one cabin
If you are travelling in more than one cabin, e.g. outbound in economy and 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
Free allowances for all flights EXCEPT to/from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and 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
(Business) | Three bags | Up to 32kg (70lb)
BA will waive the heavy bag charge | 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.
You cannot pay to take extra bags for an infant |
Club Europe
(Business) | Two bags | Up to 32kg (70lb)
BA will waive the heavy bag charge |
World Traveller
Plus
(Premium Economy) | Two bags | 23kg (51lb) free |
World Traveller Y class
(full-fare Economy) | Two bags | 23kg (51lb) free |
World Traveller
Euro Traveller
Domestic
(Economy) | One bag | 23kg (51lb) free |
Information for frequent fliers British Airways Executive Club Gold and Silver members, AA Advantage Executive Platinum and Platinum members and Iberia Plus Platinum and Gold members can:
- check in 2 bags in all cabins, on all routes, unless the cabin allowance is greater
- take the maximum weight of 32kg (70lb) per bag without paying the heavy bag charge.
This applies to all passengers travelling on the same booking.
Baggage allowances on other airlines If your booking includes travel with British Airways and another airline, the British Airways baggage allowance may be more generous and you could be charged for extra baggage by the other airline.
|
Free allowances for travel to/from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya and 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 (Business) | Three bags | Up to 32kg (70lb)
BA will waive the heavy bag charge | 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
You cannot pay to take extra bags for an infant.
|
World Traveller Plus
(Premium Economy)
World Traveller
(Economy) | Two bags | 23kg (51lb) free
|
Information for frequent flyers British Airways Executive Club Gold and Silver members, AA Advantage Executive Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum members can take the maximum weight of 32kg per bag without paying the heavy bag charge.
This applies to all passengers travelling on the same booking.
Baggage allowances on other airlines
If your booking includes travel with British Airways and another airline, the British Airways baggage allowance may be more generous and you could be charged for extra baggage by the other airline.
Travelling to/from Brazil Passengers travelling to and from Brazil can take the baggage allowance shown above, and in addition, each bag can weigh up to 32kg (70lb) at no additional charge, in all classes of travel.
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For itineraries involving flights operated by British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia, the most generous baggage allowance will apply across the whole journey.
Please follow the links on this page to ‘Information if you're travelling on American Airlines and Iberia’ for more information about their allowances.
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 (99lb) that cannot be broken down and that we have been notified about 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 the total number of bags is more than your free checked allowance, you will need to pay extra bag charges.
- A heavy bag charge may apply to bags over 23kg (51lb).
- We will only accept sporting equipment if it is packed appropriately (to avoid damage) and meets the dimension and weight restrictions.
- American Airlines and Iberia have different allowances for the carriage of ski boots. Please follow the links to ‘Information if you're travelling on American Airlines and Iberia’ on this page for more information about their allowances.
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 total number of bags is more than your free checked allowance, you will need to pay extra bag charges.
- We will accept musical instruments between 23-45kg (51-99lb) and up to the dimensions 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75in x 29.5in x 25.5in), provided that British Airways has been notified at the time of booking, or at least 24 hours before your flight.
- A heavy bag charge may apply to bags over 23kg (51lb).
- A double bass will still be accepted even if it exceeds the maximum dimensions.
- American Airlines and Iberia have different allowances for the carriage of small musical instruments. Please follow the links on this page to ‘Information if you're travelling on American Airlines and Iberia’ for more information about their allowances.
Contact usCharges for extra baggage
If you wish to take more bags than your free checked baggage allowance, you can pay to check in up to 10 extra bags per person with the same weight restrictions as your free allowance.
It is possible to pay for extra bags at the airport, as you check in, but these will be charged at a higher rate. Save yourself time and money by paying for your extra bags using Manage My Booking on ba.com, either at the time of booking or any time before you check in for your flight.
Extra bag charges when you pay in advance on ba.com.
| Cabin | Free
allowance | 1st extra
bag | Further
extra bags |
|---|
First
Club World | 3 bags | £77/$119/€98 | £77/$119/€98 |
| World Traveller Plus | 2 bags | £77/$119/€98 | £77/$119/€98 |
World Traveller Y class
(full-fare Economy) | 2 bags | £77/$119/€98 | £77/$119/€98 |
| World Traveller | 1 bag* | £34/$51/€43* | £77/$119/€98 |
| Club Europe | 2 bags | £30/$43/€39 | £30/$43/€39 |
Euro Traveller
UK Domestic | 1 bag | £30/$43/€39 | £30/$43/€39 |
|
Extra bag charges when you pay at the airport.
| Cabin | Free
allowance | 1st extra
bag | Further
extra bags |
|---|
First
Club World | 3 bags | £90/$140/€115 | £90/$140/€115 |
| World Traveller Plus | 2 bags | £90/$140/€115 | £90/$140/€115 |
World Traveller Y class
(full-fare Economy) | 2 bags | £90/$140/€115 | £90/$140/€115 |
| World Traveller | 1 bag* | £40/$60/€50* | £90/$140/€115 |
| Club Europe | 2 bags | £35/$50/€45 | £35/$50/€45 |
Euro Traveller
UK Domestic | 1 bag | £35/$50/€45 | £35/$50/€45 |
* Customers travelling to and from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and on connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada have a free checked bag allowance of 2 bags. Extra bags will be charged at £90/$140/€115 per bag.
- Charges are shown in UK pounds, US dollars and euros.
- Charges in euros may vary depending on current exchange rates.
- Charges will be converted to local currency at the airport.
- You cannot purchase extra bags for an infant, under 2 years of age.
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Charges for overweight baggage
For any bag you are checking in that is heavier than the free weight allowance of 23kg (51lb), you may need to pay an overweight baggage charge. Overweight baggage charges are payable at check-in.
Overweight baggage charges
| Weight | Overweight baggage charges |
|---|
| More than 23kg (51lb) and less than 32kg (70lb)* | £40 or local equivalent at check-in
($60 from any US departure airport) |
| More than 32kg (70lb) | Baggage over 32kg must be shipped separately as freight or cargo.
More about freight or cargo
|
* British Airways will waive the heavy bag charge for:
- Gold and Silver Executive Club members
- First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes
- American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum members
- Iberia Plus Platinum members
- Mobility aids for passengers with a disability and passengers travelling with their own wheelchair
- Essential medical equipment
Passengers travelling to and from Brazil are entitled to 32kg (70lb) per bag at no extra charge.
|
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.
If your booking includes flights on an airline other than British Airways, your baggage allowance may differ from the British Airways allowances shown.
For bookings made on or after 19 May 2011, the baggage allowance for your whole journey will be shown on your booking confirmation and e-ticket, and on Manage My Booking on ba.com.
For bookings made before 19 May 2011, the baggage allowance for your flights operated by British Airways will be shown on your booking confirmation and e-ticket, and on Manage My Booking on ba.com. Please contact the other airline for information about their baggage allowances.
When checking in with another airline, additional baggage charges may apply.
For information about baggage allowances on American Airlines and Iberia, please use the links on this page to 'Information if you're travelling on American Airlines and Iberia'.
If you've made a booking and are unsure which airline it is with, you can find out in 'Manage My Booking'.
Manage My Booking
Find out more about airline alliances
Packing your bags
The following information will help you and your bags have a smoother journey.
- Label your bags inside and out with your name, destination address, email address and mobile or cell number.
Ensure all bag tags from previous flights are removed from your checked baggage before you travel.
- Pack sharp objects in your checked baggage, not in your hand baggage.
- Do not pack valuables in your checked baggage.
- Carry medication, money and important documents in your hand baggage.
Add your email address and/or telephone number to your booking, through Manage My Booking, so that we can contact you if necessary.
Ensure any protruding or loose straps and handles are secured.
Door-to-door baggage service
Do you prefer to 'travel light' and avoid the need for queuing up at the check-in or 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.
Receive a 5% discount and find out more about First Luggage's servicing and booking on-line