Baggage allowances

If you have more than two pieces of hand baggage, or they’re over the permitted size, you may have to put your larger bags into the hold as checked baggage.

When you’ve used your free checked baggage allowance, you’ll have to pay to put any extra bags into the hold. Check your baggage allowance using the calculator above. Please note, the carriage of excess baggage is subject to availability. In some destinations, additional local taxes may also apply.

If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their allowances may be different. Please check before you fly.

If your checked baggage weighs more than your allowance, you may have to pay a heavy bag charge. Check your baggage allowance in the calculator above.

We charge 65 GBP / 75 EUR / 100 USD / 100 CAD per overweight bag and one-way journey. If you’re flying from a country that uses a different local currency, the GBP amount will be converted to the local currency. In some destinations, additional local taxes may also apply.

At many airports, including London Heathrow, London Gatwick and in North America, you can only pay using a credit or debit card. Cash is not accepted and Avios cannot be used for this payment. 

British Airways’ 23kg baggage weight limit applies to each bag and can’t be split between multiple bags. Bags over 32kg won’t be accepted as checked baggage.

If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their baggage allowances may be different. Please check before you fly.

The maximum dimensions for an oversize bag in the hold are 190 x 75 x 65cm.

Bags larger than the standard size but within these maximum dimensions are known as out-of-gauge bags. They're accepted as part of your checked baggage allowance, but must be checked in at the out-of-gauge bag drop at least 90 minutes before your flight to ensure they travel with you.

You don't need to let us know in advance that you’re bringing a larger bag or item, but you must get to the airport early to check it in.

Take a look at the list of banned and restricted items for more information.

If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their restrictions may be different. Please check before you fly.

You must be able to turn on any electronic items you want to take into the cabin, so please ensure all your devices are charged before you leave home.

Items that aren’t charged will need to be packed into your checked baggage and travel in the hold. You can put laptops in your checked baggage, however any spare device batteries and power packs must be carried in your hand baggage in the cabin.

You can also purchase Wi-Fi on board to stream your favourite TV shows or catch up on work while you travel.

There aren’t any weight limits or overweight charges for medical equipment, but there is a limit to the number of checked bags you can bring for medication or medical supplies.

All checked bags with medical supplies need to be supported by an official medical letter and authorised when you check in at the airport.

You may be asked to check your larger cabin bag in on busy flights, so it’s best to pack essential medication into hand baggage that’s guaranteed to travel in the cabin.

Please see our medical information for specific advice.

If your journey includes a flight with another airline, their policies may be different. Please check before you fly.

On journeys with connecting flights that use a single booking reference, even if it includes other airline codes, your baggage allowance is generally determined by the airline that operates the longest flight in your itinerary.

You can usually check in your bags to arrive at your final destination if:

• All your flights are under a single booking reference and ticket number, or
• Your flights are with oneworld airlines under a single booking reference, even if you have separate ticket numbers.

If you’ve booked separate flights with different booking references to get to your final destination each flight is considered a separate journey. This applies even if both of your flights are with British Airways.

You’ll need to check your bags in for each separate flight. Make sure to leave enough time between each flight to do this and get to your departure gate for the next leg of your journey. Simply follow these steps:

• Check in your bags for your first flight
• Collect your bags when you land - you may need to go through customs
• Go to departures and check your bags in again for your next flight
• Collect your bags at your final destination

Please be aware that on journeys with separate tickets and different booking references, your bags will not be transferred on to your next flight as it is considered a separate journey.

In case of delay, cancellation or other disruption to your initial flight, when you hold a separate booking on a different reference for your next flight, airlines are limited in the assistance they can give you for your onward journey/subsequent flight, just as they have no obligation to automatically check your baggage through to your next flight as each booking is considered a separate contract.

British Airways’ infant baggage allowance includes a 23kg bag checked into the hold for an infant, no matter what cabin they are travelling in. There is no checked baggage allowance if you are travelling with your infant on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare.

Children, and infants with a seat, have the same free baggage allowance as adults. Find out what other items you can check in for your family.

The above allowances apply to British Airways flights only.

You, as the Executive Club Member, must be travelling on the booking for those on your booking to get these benefits.

These allowances are not available on group bookings or to infants travelling without their own seat. Infants get one 23kg checked bag, no matter their cabin of travel.

It’s free to take wheelchairs, mobility aids and related equipment if it's for your personal use and within the size limits. Find out more.

You can travel with a wide range of personal belongings as part of your normal baggage allowance, including sports equipment and musical instruments. If they weigh over 23kg, you may need to pay a little extra.

All airport purchases count as items of hand baggage. If your gifts or duty-free bags take you over the hand baggage allowance, your extra bags may be checked into the hold. If you’ve already used your free checked baggage allowance, you’ll have to pay for extra bags in the hold.