If you have any special or heavy items of baggage, or extra baggage which is over your free allowance, you should be aware of what arrangements you need to make before you travel.
Find out more about:
Excess baggage
- Any items over your free checked allowance will be charged as excess baggage.
- Where applicable, we recommend that you pre-pay online for your excess baggage before check in, using Manage My Booking
- You can receive a discount on airport charges by pre-paying online.
- You can also pay for excess baggage at the airport.
- Please make sure you arrive at check in at least 20 minutes earlier than the recommended check in time when travelling with excess baggage.
- All items must fit within the dimensions of (H+W+L): 158cm (62in).
- We will not accept any items exceeding 32kgs with the following exceptions: Musical instruments, TV news cameras and commercial spares. If the item weighs between 32kg and 45kg and cannot be broken down to smaller items, it will be treated as two pieces of checked baggage. If you are travelling with any of these items, please notify us at the time of booking, or at a minimum of 24 hours before departure.
Please note: Checked baggage allowances on codeshare, oneworld and alliance partners may differ. Charges may apply.
Excess baggage rates
All baggage in excess of free checked baggage allowances is charged at a fixed fee depending on the length of the journey.
Customers on most routes can pre-pay online for their excess baggage and receive a discount on airport charges.The pre-pay facility can be accessed through Manage My Booking. Pre-pay is not available on certain routes, and some credit cards cannot be used as payment methods.
To qualify for the discount, Pre-pay must be completed before check in, including before completing Online check-in.
Excess baggage charges
| Longhaul | Shorthaul | UK Domestic |
|---|
| £75 per bag or £60 per bag if paid online (includes 20% discount) | £30 per bag or £24 per bag if paid online (includes 20% discount) | £20 per bag or £16 per bag if paid online (includes 20% discount) |
For customers transferring flights within 24 hours, a single charge based on the longest flight applies.
Please note: Excess baggage charges on codeshare, oneworld and alliance partners may differ.
Unaccompanied baggage
- Any item exceeding 32kg will need to be transported as unaccompanied baggage.
- You can pre-arrange this through British Airways World Cargo or your local freight company.
- Your baggage may or may not travel on the same flight as you.
What you need to do to use British Airways World Cargo
- Contact BA World Cargo to pre-book the service
- You will need to arrange delivery and collection of your bags to the designated cargo point, which may be some distance from the airport terminal. On occasions the cargo point may be situated at the airport terminal.
- Suitcases must be locked and keys handed to British Airways when accepted for transportation.
- Bags will be accepted from 6 hours before departure of your flight.
- Bags should be delivered to the airport terminal desk or World Cargo office at least 1 one hour prior to your normal check in time.
Door to door baggage service
Prefer to 'travel light'? Our partner First Luggage will collect your bags from your home or office, prior to your departure, and deliver them to your destination.