By continuing to use ba.com you will be agreeing to the website Terms and Conditions, the Privacy Policy, and the Use Of Cookies while using the website.
ContinueClick an airline logo to find out about their services.
We appreciate you taking the time to help us.
You can take most items as part of your free baggage allowance, but might need to pay extra if they're large or heavy.
You can take many types of sports equipment as part of (but not in addition to) your free checked baggage allowance:
If your equipment isn't listed below or you have any questions, please contact us.
You can take non-motorised bicycles of up to 190cm (75in) in length as part of your checked baggage, provided they are packed in a protective bicycle bag.
To reduce the risk of damage to your bicycle, please ensure that you:
You can take the following diving equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it is packed in a recognised kit bag and does not exceed the maximum dimensions and weight restrictions for checked baggage:
If you need to take diving lamps, please contact us at least 24 hours before you travel to get approval. Once approved, please remove the bulb or fuse and pack it separately from the power source in your hand or checked baggage.
You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).
If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.
We will accept firearms, guns and ammunition only under very specific conditions.
You can take your skis or snowboard equipment as checked baggage, provided it is packed correctly and within your baggage allowance.
If you're travelling on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare you will need to pay extra to check in any additional bags. It doesn't matter what is in these bags, if they're being checked in, you will have to pay extra.
For safety reasons you are not allowed to board the aircraft wearing your ski boots.
You can take surfboards as part of your checked baggage provided they don't exceed the maximum weight restrictions, are max. 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) and packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage.
If your bag weighs more than your allowance you may need to pay an overweight baggage charge.
You can only take sports rackets and games sticks on our aircraft in your hold checked baggage. Items such as tennis or squash rackets are not allowed as part of your hand baggage on flights into or out of the UK. This is a security policy issued by the UK Department for Transport. Many other airport authorities will not allow these items through their airport security points so you will be asked to check them in on all our flights, even if they would normally be allowed as hand baggage in other parts of the world. Any racket or stick carried separately counts as one item of baggage so please check your baggage allowance.
If you're travelling on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare, you will need to pay extra to take your rackets or sticks.
Some sports and recreational equipment, such as Hover Boards, is restricted or prohibited, and you might need to contact us for approval first.
You can bring your musical instruments with you when you travel with us.
Smaller musical instruments, such as violins, violas or small wind instruments, can be carried in the cabin as part of, but not in addition to, your free hand baggage allowance. This means you can have a small handbag/laptop size bag as well as your smaller musical instrument case which will count as your second piece of hand baggage. Our airport staff will make every effort to find space in the cabin for musical instruments that are within the dimensions of 80 x 30 x 25cm (31 x 11 x 10in), as we know extreme temperatures can damage these instruments in the hold.
Larger musical instruments, such as guitars and cellos, can be carried in the hold or you can buy an extra seat to carry them with you in the cabin by contacting us at least 24 hours before your flight.
Please carry your musical instrument in a hard case and ensure you are properly insured. We cannot accept instruments in soft cases, e.g. guitars, as we don’t want them to get damaged.
What's my hand baggage allowance?
If your musical instrument in its case is larger than 80 x 30 x 25cm (31 x 11 x 10in):
Guitars are not accepted in the cabin as hand baggage as they are too big for the available stowage. You may be able to buy an extra seat, depending on availability, to ensure that your guitar travels on the seat next to you. As it is not possible to do this online, please contact us or your travel agent at least 24 hours before your flight departs.
You can take your guitar packed into a hard guitar case as checked baggage which will travel in the hold. It will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance. We cannot accept any guitar in a soft case as we want to ensure your instrument arrives safely.
On short haul flights or connecting journeys your guitar will always travel in the hold, unless you have bought an extra seat for it on each of your flights.
On some long haul flights, we may be able to accept your guitar in the cabin if there is safe stowage space available on the day, but this will be an exception and we cannot guarantee it.
If you have bought a seat in the cabin for your guitar, you will need extra time to secure it in place. To avoid flight delays, you'll be able to board before other passengers. Please make your way to your boarding gate as soon as it is announced and make yourself known to the gate team.
Depending on availability, you may be able to purchase an extra seat next to you to secure your cello. It's not possible to do this online so please contact us or your travel agent at least 24 hours before your flight departs.
If you arrive at the airport and haven't booked an extra seat in advance, please speak to a British Airways representative. If there are seats available in the cabin you are travelling in, you may be able to buy an extra seat. Otherwise you will need to check your instrument in.
If you have bought a seat in the cabin for your cello, you will need extra time to secure it in place. To avoid flight delays, you'll be able to board before other passengers. Please make your way to your boarding gate as soon as it is announced and make yourself known to the gate team.
We cannot accommodate double basses on board so please check them into the hold. This will be part of your checked baggage allowance and extra bag charges may apply. Please contact us at least 24 hours before your flight departs to discuss your requirements.
Baggage allowances and policies can vary by airline, even if you buy your flights through ba.com.
Check your hand baggage allowance on American Airlines, Finnair, Iberia and Japan Airlines.
For other airlines, please refer to their websites or contact them directly.
Find out which airline you are flying with in Manage My Booking