British Airways baggage allowance: carry-on and checked bag rules
Quick Answer: British Airways baggage allowance depends on your fare type. Economy Basic passengers get a hand bag (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and a cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm) but no checked luggage. Economy, Premium Economy, Business and First fares include checked bags ranging from 23 kg to 32 kg per piece.
The tabs below break down every fare’s cabin and checked bag rules side by side. If you’re deciding between fare types, the checked bag row is the clearest point of difference.
One thing stays the same across all fares: your cabin allowance. The tips section below covers the situations where that allowance plays out differently: loyalty status, travelling with children, and what happens when bags are overweight.
British Airways baggage by travel class
| Baggage type | Quantity | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand bag (personal item) | 1 | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | Must fit under seat |
| Cabin bag | 1 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including wheels and handles) | Must be liftable unassisted |
| Checked baggage | None included | - | - |
Economy Basic is British Airways' hand-baggage-only fare. You can add a checked bag for a fee, typically ranging from approximately £25 (€30) to £80 (€95) one way depending on your route and whether you book online or at the airport.
If you’re travelling light for a short trip, this fare works well. If you need to check a bag, compare the cost of adding one against the standard Economy fare before you book. Depending on your route, the difference may be smaller than expected.
| Baggage type | Quantity | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand bag (personal item) | 1 | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | Must fit under seat |
| Cabin bag | 1 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including wheels and handles) | Must be liftable unassisted |
| Checked baggage | 1 bag | 90 x 75 x 43 cm | 23 kg (50 lb) |
Economy is the standard fare for most travellers. You get one checked bag up to 23 kg, which covers most holiday packing needs.
If your bag weighs between 23 kg and 32 kg, British Airways charges an overweight fee. Check the current rate on ba.com before you pack, as fees vary by route.
| Baggage type | Quantity | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand bag (personal item) | 1 | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | Must fit under seat |
| Cabin bag | 1 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including wheels and handles) | Must be liftable unassisted |
| Checked baggage | 2 bags | 90 x 75 x 43 cm | 32 kg (70 lb) per bag |
Business class passengers get two checked bags at 32 kg each, giving you 64 kg of total hold luggage. The higher weight limit means you can pack heavier items without worrying about overweight fees. If you're travelling for work with equipment or samples, or taking a longer trip, this allowance gives you plenty of flexibility.
| Baggage type | Quantity | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand bag (personal item) | 1 | 40 x 30 x 15 cm | Must fit under seat |
| Cabin bag | 1 | 56 x 45 x 25 cm (including wheels and handles) | Must be liftable unassisted |
| Checked baggage | 3 bags | 90 x 75 x 43 cm | 32 kg (70 lb) per bag |
First class passengers receive the most generous allowance: three checked bags at 32 kg each. This is useful for extended trips, relocations or travelling with sports equipment. The 32 kg per-bag limit is the maximum British Airways accepts on any fare, so even in First, individual bags cannot exceed this weight.
What else affects your British Airways baggage allowance
How loyalty programmes affect your baggage allowance
British Airways Executive Club members with Bronze, Silver or Gold status receive extra baggage allowances on top of their fare entitlement.
The same applies to oneworld alliance members flying on British Airways. Silver members (oneworld Sapphire) get an additional checked bag on long-haul and European routes. Gold members (oneworld Emerald) receive a more substantial extra allowance across all routes. These benefits apply when flying on a paid ticket, not on Basic fares.
If you hold AerClub status through Aer Lingus, you may also receive extra baggage when flying British Airways, as Aer Lingus is a partner airline. Check your specific entitlements before travel, as the extra allowance does not apply to hand-baggage-only fares.
Travelling with infants and children
Infants under 2 years old travelling on an adult's lap receive one 23 kg checked bag on all fares except Economy Basic. They can also bring a cabin bag for in-flight essentials. On Economy Basic, there is no checked baggage allowance for infants, and you cannot purchase extra baggage for an infant without a seat. Children and infants with their own booked seat receive the same baggage allowance as adults in their cabin class.
All infants and children can check in two essential items free of charge, even on Economy Basic: a fully collapsible pushchair or stroller, a car or booster seat, a travel cot, or a baby back carrier. You can choose any two from this list.
Want to see how BA's child baggage allowance compares with other airlines? Find out on our child baggage comparison page.
Excess and overweight baggage fees
If your bag weighs between 23 kg and 32 kg on an Economy or Premium Economy ticket, British Airways charges an overweight fee for each leg of the journey. Bags heavier than 32 kg are not accepted. Oversized bags up to 190 x 75 x 65 cm can travel as checked luggage if they weigh no more than your permitted allowance. Larger items may need to be shipped separately.
Adding extra checked bags varies based on your route, typically starting around £25 (€30). Prices are higher at the airport. Use British Airways' online baggage calculator to get an exact quote for your journey.
Frequently asked questions
British Airways treats most sports equipment, such as golf clubs, skis, or surfboards, as part of your standard checked baggage allowance. The item must fit within the maximum oversized dimensions of 190 x 75 x 65 cm and stay under your fare's weight limit (23 kg or 32 kg). If it exceeds your free allowance, you will need to purchase an extra checked bag.
You can bring small instruments like violins or flutes into the cabin as your main cabin bag, provided they measure no more than 80 x 45 x 25 cm and fit in the overhead locker. Larger instruments like guitars must be checked into the hold as part of your checked allowance, unless you contact the airline in advance to purchase an extra seat for them.
British Airways does not have a weight limit for cabin bags. Your cabin bag must fit the dimensions (56 x 45 x 25 cm) and you must be able to lift it into the overhead locker unassisted. A 10 kg bag that meets these requirements is allowed.
British Airways' cabin baggage rules remain the same: one hand bag (40 x 30 x 15 cm) and one cabin bag (56 x 45 x 25 cm). The cabin bag may need to go in the hold if overhead space is limited, so keep essentials in your hand bag.
Yes. British Airways requires all airport purchases and duty-free shopping bags to fit within your standard two-bag cabin allowance. If you buy items at the airport, you must be able to fit them inside your existing hand bag or cabin bag before boarding.
Bags between 23 kg and 32 kg incur a fixed overweight fee per bag (refer to ba.com for exact regional equivalents). Bags over 32 kg are not accepted on any British Airways flight.
Smart bags with built-in charging ports are permitted, but only if the lithium battery or power bank can be completely removed. If you need to check the bag into the hold, you must remove the battery and carry it with you in the cabin. If the battery cannot be removed, the airline will not accept the bag on the flight.
A suit carrier or soft garment bag is allowed in the cabin, but it counts as your main cabin bag. It must fold down to fit within the standard cabin bag dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25 cm to ensure it fits safely in the overhead lockers.
No. British Airways does not allow passengers to combine or share baggage allowances. Each traveller's bags must stay within their individual limits.
British Airways only allows recognised assistance dogs to travel in the cabin. All other pets and emotional support animals must travel in the hold as cargo. This service is managed by IAG Cargo, so you will need to contact them directly to arrange your pet's travel well in advance of your flight.
See how this compares to other airlines in our Travelling with Pets comparison guide.
Information in this article was last verified on 02/11/2026. Details such as prices, measures, and dates are subject to change - always confirm directly with the relevant provider before travel.
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