Fly Smart British Airways

British Airways Baggage Allowance

Flying British Airways is often seen as something of a luxury and whilst the airline is keen to portray itself as a premium carrier, distancing itself from many practises employed by budget airlines, its fares have to remain competitive and you might be surprised how affordable flying British Airways could be when you consider extra charges such as baggage and priority boarding with the budget airlines. We've found that BA have one of the most generous baggage allowances of any airline for both its hand luggage and checked-in baggage. If you're flying with British Air, you'll be delighted to know how much luggage you can take on board included in the price of your ticket!
British Airways Excess Baggage Allowance
 
Ticket Type
Personal Item
Hand Luggage
Checked-in Luggage
Economy Basic
Y
Y
N
Economy Plus
Y
Y
Y (1 x 23kg)
Business
Y
Y
Y (2 x 32kg)

British Airways Excess Baggage Charges

Whilst one of the most generous luggage allowances, if you do arrive at the airport with more luggage than you are entitled by your ticket type you will be charged. Overweight hand luggage will be deemed holg luggage and need to be placed in the hold, whilst if you are limited to 23kg for your flight and your case exceeds this, you will be charged a £65 overweight baggage charge. The maximum weight for any individual item of luggage (cabin / hold or special baggage) is 32kg, any items over this weight will be declared cargo and be flown separately.
 
Baggage Type
Max Size (cm)
Max Weight (kg)
Personal Item*
40 x 30 x 15
23
Hand Luggage
56 x 45 x 25
23
Hold Baggage
90 x 75 x 43
23 (32 business)
Excess Baggage*
na
32

British Airways Hand Luggage Allowance

One of, if not the most generous airlines when it comes to carry-on luggage. Whilst the physical dimensions of it's permitted carry-on case is on par with other generous airlines, it allows up to 23kg per person to be carried as hand luggage, plus a small personal item / accessory such as a laptop case or handbag. British Airways also guarnatees that EVERY customer is permitted to carry as a minimum their small personal bag / accessory into the cabin and only if the cabin (overhead lockers) are full, will it request passengers to place their hand luggage in the hold - free of charge of course.

British Airways Check-in Baggage Allowance

Depending on your route, you can carry up to 32kg of checked-in baggage in a single case with British Airways. Most passengers however will be limited to 23kg as the most popular routes around Europe and transatlantic flights are restricted to 23kg. You can increase your baggage allowance at a cost of course, either at time of booking or at check-in / bag drop. Economy Basic ticket holders have no checked-in baggage allowance, whilst Economy Plus can take 1 checked-in bag up to 23kg (32kg on some routes), Business class passengers are entitled to 2 x 32kg cases, whilst First Class ticket holders a whopping 3 x 32kg, that's up to 96kg of luggage!

British Airways Special Baggage

BA operate one of the fairest and most straight forward special baggage policies of any airlines. Special baggage include sports equipment such as bicycles, golf clubs, snow sports equipment, diving equipment, musical instruments etc. Customers can use their checked-in baggage allowance for special baggage provided that the item(s) does not weight more than your baggage allowance for your ticket type. Special baggage can be up to 190 x 75 x 65 cm (to allow for bicycles / skis etc), but must be within the 23 / 32kg weight limit. If you're ticket type has a maximum allowance of 23kg and your special baggage weight more, you will be charged the standard excess baggage fee of £65. Any special baggage weighing over 32kg cannot be carried and must be transported as cargo.

All special baggage must be suitably packaged as not to cause damage to the item, other items or parts of the aircraft and it is the customers responsibility to ensure this. Should BA (or the airport) consider your item to be innapropriately packaged they will refuse to carry it.

British Airways Infant Baggage Allowance

Whilst rarely the cheapest option, British Airways can certainly say they are very family friendly airline and if price isn't the primary concern, you could do a lot worse when it comes to travelling with infants that with BA. Adults travelling with infants under 2, whilst have to sit on the lap of the accompanying adult (standard airline policy), the adult can carry an additional baby change bag, equaly in size and weight to the full size adult hand luggage allowance. That's some 23kg in a case no larger than 56 x 45 x 25 cm, one of the most generous hand luggage allowances of any airlines. Children ages 2-11 also get a full hand luggage allowance and are permitted to carry 2 items from the following list, free of charge in the aircraft hold (pushchair can be collapsed and checked in at the aircraft steps - all other items to be checked in with hold luggage)
 
  • Pushchair / buggy
  • Car Seat
  • Travel Cot
  • Carry Harness / Rucksack

Trunki on British Airways Flights

No problems here, the UK's flag bearing carrier is more than happy for it's younger passengers to take their travel belongings in their favourite animal character suitcase. Like most airlines, British Airways had a family friednly policy when it comes to free carry-on luggage for children and they welcome the Trunki. Fact of the matter is that the Trunki is relatively small in size compared to most permitted hand luggage and will actually save the airlines valuable space in the cabin. Only Ryanair and Wizz Air charge children for carrying a Trunki in the cabin.
Disclaimer - Information correct at time of publication: 24 May 2019 No data found

Airline Excess Baggage

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Founder, ideas guy, IT specialist. Scott founded Rhinocarhire.com way back in 2007 and has steered the ship to where it is today, an award-winning car rental broker that has stood the test of time.

Visitor Comments

  • 28/12/2020

    samson diouf

    hello pls i want to know price of excess baggage 23kg bags from dublin to lagos nigeria on british airways
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