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British Airways, one of the leading airlines in the world, has a well-defined baggage policy that varies depending on the cabin class. Understanding these policies can save you from unexpected fees and make your travel experience smoother. We will walk you through British Airways’ baggage allowances, fees, and tips to help you cover the expenses.
British Airways Carry-on Allowance
When it comes to carry-on baggage, British Airways allows passengers to bring one handbag/laptop bag and one standard carry-on bag free of charge. However, there are certain size restrictions that you must adhere to:
- Personal item: Dimensions should not exceed 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and weight should be up to 51 pounds (23 kg).
- Standard carry-on: Dimensions should not exceed 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm) and weight should be up to 51 pounds (23 kg).
If you are traveling with a lap infant, you are allowed to bring an additional cabin bag with dimensions up to 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm) and weight up to 51 pounds (23 kg). Furthermore, British Airways offers a stroller check policy where one stroller per child can be checked at the gate free of charge. If you have a small, fully collapsible stroller, you can take it to the gate and pick it up outside the destination gate on arrival. However, larger strollers checked at the gate will be available for pick up at the baggage carousel in the baggage hall.
British Airways Checked Baggage Allowance
British Airways has specific rules for checked baggage, including weight and size restrictions. All checked bags must adhere to a maximum weight of 51 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy, or 70 pounds (32 kg) for business and first-class fares. The maximum dimensions allowed are 35 x 30 x 17 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm).
The number of bags included in your allowance depends on the cabin class you are traveling in:
- Hand Baggage Only/Basic: No bags included.
- Economy: 1 bag included, weighing up to 51 pounds (23 kg).
- Premium Economy: 2 bags included, weighing up to 51 pounds (23 kg) each.
- Business: 2 bags included, weighing up to 70 pounds (32 kg) each.
- First: 3 bags included, weighing up to 70 pounds (32 kg) each.
Children and infants (aged 2 to 11 with a booked seat) have the same baggage allowance as adults, with the addition of up to 2 items such as a collapsible stroller, travel cot, car seat, or carry harness. Infants under 2 years old are allowed 1 bag weighing up to 51 pounds (23 kg) and up to 2 additional items.
It’s important to note that there are some exceptions to the standard baggage allowance for economy flights. For flights to/from Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria, flights between Europe and Japan, connecting flights between India and the U.S./Bermuda/Canada, connecting flights between Islamabad and the U.S./Canada, journeys originating in Kuwait to the British Airways network, journeys originating in Saudi Arabia to the U.S./Bermuda/Canada, journeys originating in Shanghai to London Heathrow, and journeys originating in the United Arab Emirates to the U.S./Mexico/Canada, passengers are allowed 2 bags weighing up to 51 pounds (23 kg) each.
Additional/Excess Baggage Fees
British Airways no longer publishes specific additional baggage charges on its website. Instead, they advise passengers to use their baggage calculator tool to determine the fee, as it varies by route. However, we can provide you with some example fees from searches we’ve run using the tool. Keep in mind that these fees are subject to change, so it’s always best to check with the airline for the most up-to-date information.
Economy Hand Baggage Only (Basic)
The fees for additional bags purchased online or at the airport vary depending on the route. Here are some examples:
| Route | Purchased Online | Purchased at the Airport |
| Short-haul to/from London City Airport | First bag: £30-£35/€40-€45 | First bag: £75/€85 |
| Short-haul to/from London Gatwick Airport | First bag: £25-£35/€30 | First bag: £50-£75/€65 |
| Short-haul to/from London Heathrow Airport | First bag: £30-£55/$75/€45-€80 | First bag: £75/$115/€85 |
| Short-haul to/from Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester | First bag: £25-£35/$50/€40-€45 | First bag: £50-£75/$100/€75-€85 |
Economy
For Euro Traveller (Plus and Plus Flex) flights, the fees for additional bags purchased online or at the airport are as follows:
| Route | Purchased Online | Purchased at the Airport |
| Flights to/from London Gatwick | Second bag: £45-£65/€60 | Second bag: £50-£75/€65 |
| All other routes | Second bag: £60-£65/$90/€70 | Second bag: £65-£75/$100/€75 |
Premium Economy
For World Traveller Plus flights, the fees for additional bags are as follows:
- Purchased Online/In Advance: £130/$170/€150
- Purchased at the Airport: £155/$200/€180
Business and First Class
For Club Europe flights to/from London Gatwick, the fees for additional bags are:
| Route | Purchased Online/In Advance | Purchased at the Airport |
| London Gatwick | £70/€85 | £80/€95 |
| All other routes | £80/€95 | £95/€105 |
For Club World and First Class flights, the fees for additional bags are:
- Purchased Online/In Advance: £120-£130/$170/€140-€150
- Purchased at the Airport: £140-£155/$200/€150-€180
Excess Baggage Fees
If your checked bag exceeds the weight limit, an overweight fee will apply. British Airways charges £65/$100/€75 for bags weighing between 51 and 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg). Additionally, if your bag exceeds the maximum allowed dimensions, you may be charged an oversized fee at the airport. The airline allows larger items with dimensions of up to 190 x 75 x 65 cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5 in) as long as they do not exceed your permitted baggage weight allowance. Bags weighing more than your allowance will incur an extra charge, and no bag can weigh more than 32 kg.
Prepaying for Baggage
British Airways provides passengers the option to prepay for luggage online. To do so, simply log in to your booking on the British Airways website and follow the instructions to prepay for your baggage.
Credit Cards That Reimburse Checked Bag Fees
While the British Airways Visa Signature® Card does not offer free checked baggage as a benefit, you can still use certain Capital One cards to offset some of your checked bag fees when flying with British Airways. By using your Capital One miles to pay for your travel statement charges, such as baggage fees, within 90 days of purchase, you can get a reimbursement at a rate of 1 cent per mile.
Exclusions and Waivers
There are certain exclusions and waivers to the baggage policy of British Airways. The extra allowances apply:
- In any travel class for everyone on your booking as long as you, as the qualifying frequent flyer, are traveling on the booking.
- Only on British Airways flights, except for hand baggage only (basic) fares and group rate bookings.
Passengers with Executive Club Gold/Oneworld Emerald status are entitled to one additional free checked bag in any cabin class, excluding hand baggage only (basic) fares, with a weight allowance of 70 pounds (32 kg) per checked bag. Passengers with Executive Club Silver/Oneworld Sapphire status are entitled to one additional free checked bag, but a maximum of 2 bags per person when traveling in economy (excluding hand baggage only (basic) fares), with a weight allowance of 70 pounds (32 kg) per checked bag.
