British Airways Baggage Fees & Tips to Cover the Expenses
Full Disclosure: We may be financially compensated when you click on links to credit card products from our advertising partners, such as American Express, Chase, Citi & Capital One. Opinions and product recommendations on this site are ours alone, and have not been influenced, reviewed or approved by the issuer. See our Advertiser Disclosure for more details. Thanks!
British Airways utilizes a pretty classic baggage allowance system, dependent on cabin class.
Fees for additional luggage per piece depend on when you purchase your baggage allowance, your cabin class and lastly (at times), whether you’re flying out of Gatwick / Stanstead, or any other route.
The British Airways baggage policy can get a little confusing at times – we hope this clears it up a bit!
Table of contents
Table of Contents
British Airways Carry-On Allowance
1 handbag/laptop bag: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE
Size Restrictions:
- Personal item: 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in), up to 23kg (51lb)
- Standard carry-on: 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in), up to 23kg (51lb)
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy:
- 1 cabin bag for items required during the flight
- Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in), max. 23kg (51lb)
Stroller Check Policy:
- One stroller per child can be checked at gate free of charge.
- A small, fully collapsible stroller (with maximum dimensions of 46in x 15in x 15in when collapsed), can be taken to the gate and picked up outside of the destination gate on arrival.
- Strollers that collapse down into a carry bag can be taken on board in place of your standard carry-on bag, providing it does not exceed the maximum carry-on bag dimensions.
- 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
All checked bags must adhere to a max weight of 23kg (51lb) for Economy & Premium Economy; 32kg (70lb) for Business and First Class fares and must adhere to max dimensions of 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16in).
Hand Baggage Only / Basic: 0 bags included
Economy: 1 bag included (23kg/51lbs)*
Premium Economy: 2 bags included (23kg/51lbs)
Business: 2 bags included (32kg/70lbs)
First: 3 bags included (32kg/70lbs)
Children and infants (aged 2-11 with a booked seat): Same allowance as adult plus up to two items including a collapsible stroller, travel cot, car seat or carry harness.
Infants under 2 years: 1 bag (23kg/51lbs) plus up to two items including a collapsible stroller, travel cot, car seat or carry harness.
*2 bags included (23kg) for economy flights to/from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria or flights between Europe and Japan. Connecting between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada, or connecting from Saudi Arabia to USA/Bermuda/Canada. Flights between London and Doha have an allowance of 1 x 32kg.
Additional / Excess Baggage Fees
British Airways no longer publishes additional baggage charges on their website and advises passengers to use their baggage calculator tool as the fee varies by route. Below are example fees from searches that we’ve run using the tool.
Economy Hand Baggage Only (Basic)
| Route | Purchased Online | Purchased at the airport |
| Short-haul to/from London City Airport | First bag: £25/$40/€35 – £40/$60/€55 Additional bags: £60/$90/€70 | £65/$100/€75 |
| Short-haul to/from London Gatwick Airport | First bag: £20/$30/€25 – £36/$56/€46 Additional bags: £36/$55/€46 – £46/$75/€56 | £50/$75/€65 |
| Short-haul to/from London Heathrow Airport | First bag: £25/$40/€35 – £48/$72/€66 Additional bags: £60/$90/€70 | £65/$100/€75 |
| Short-haul to/from London Stansted, Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester | First bag: £20/$30/€25 – £35/$55/€45 Additional bags: £60/$90/€70 | £65/$100/€75 |
| Long-haul to/from USA, Canada, Mexico from London Gatwick | First bag: £40/$55/€45 Second bag: £60/$90/€70 Third+ bags: £120/$180/€140 | First extra bag: £45/$60/€50 Second extra bag: £65/$100/€75 Third+ bags: £140/$200/€150 |
| All other Long-haul flights | First bag: £60/$90/€70 Second bag: £60/$90/€70 Third+ bags: £120/$180/€140 | First bag: £75/$110/€85 Second bag: £75/$110/€85 Third+ bags: £140/$200/€150 |
Economy
Euro Traveller (Plus and Plus Flex)
- Flights to/from London Gatwick: £36/$55/€46 (online/ in advance); £50/$75/€65 (at the airport)
- All other routes: £60/$90/€70 (online/ in advance). £65/$100/€75 (at the airport)
Premium Economy
World Traveller Plus
- Each bag: £120/$180/€140 (online/ in advance); Each bag:£140/$200/€150 (at the airport)
Business & First Class
Club Europe
- To/from London Gatwick or Stanstead: £36/$55/€46 (online/ in advance); £50/$75/€65 (at the airport)
- All other Routes: £60/$90/€70 (online/ in advance); £65/$100/€75 (at the airport)
Club World and First Class
- Each bag: £120/$180/€140 (online/ in advance); Each bag:£140/$200/€150 (at the airport)
British Airways updated their additional baggage fees at the end of 2018/early 2019. View their previous baggage fees here.
Excess Baggage Fees
Overweight Fee: 23-32kg (51-70lb) £65/$100/€70
Oversized Fee: As of July 1, 2019, British Airways website states — “You can take larger items of up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) as long as they weigh no more than your permitted baggage weight allowance. If the bag weighs more than your allowance, you will be charged extra at the airport. No bag can weigh more than 32kg.”
For baggage fees related to special luggage (sporting equipment, musical instruments, etc.) please refer to British Airway’s policy here.
Can I Pre-pay for Baggage?
British Airways does allow passengers the ability to pre-pay for luggage online.
Passengers need to log in to their booking on the British Airways website to do this.
Credit Cards That Reimburse You For Checked Bag Fees
Use one of the cards below to knock out some checked bag fees when flying British Airways.
| Capital One® VentureOne® Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 mile welcome bonus (worth $200) once you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement! This is why we like this card. |
| Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne® with a larger 50,000 welcome bonus (worth $500) once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening and you'll earn 10X miles per $1 spent across thousands of hotels. |
Exclusions & Waivers:
The extra allowances apply:
- in any travel class for everyone on your booking as long as you as the qualifying frequent flyer is traveling on the booking
- only on British Airways flights, except for hand baggage only (Basic) fares and group rate bookings
Executive Club Gold/oneworld Emerald: One additional free checked bag in any cabin class (excl. hand baggage only (Basic) fares); weight allowance of 32kg (70lb) per checked bag)
Executive Club Silver/oneworld Sapphire: One additional free checked bag but max. two bags per person when traveling in Economy (excl. hand baggage only (Basic) fares); weight allowance of 32kg (70lb) per checked bag
we are planning to travel from Boston to London, London to Zurich then returning to Boston during the month of June. We are two seniors, and will be looking for lower cost flight options.
Our question now is about luggage. We usually travel with one small bag each. However we will be bringing a roll of prints with us on this trip. The prints can be rolled in a tube of 40 inches tall by 6 inches in diameter, actually 8 inches in diameter would be better. Can this be brought into the cabin, and if checked, how do we do this? Thank you
I have bought a BA ticket from Barcelona to Penang Malaysia which includes a 23kg checked in baggage. How many pieces of hand luggage am I allowed to carry on board and what is the combined weight? I would like to add an extra bag. What is the minimum weight that I can purchase and how much is it? How should I add one bag?
Hi Gan,
BA allows passengers to carry onboard 1 personal item (up to 23 kg) and 1 standard carry-on (up to 23 kg).
For checked luggage, an additional bag would cost £60/$90/€70 (online in advance) which can weigh up to 23 kg. This is the only option for purchasing additional baggage – BA does not allow less weight to be purchased.
Since when did BA flight out of Stanstead? I’d be interested in you giving a run down on their routes?
Plus are they stopping flying from their main hub of Heathrow? You make no mention?
Perhaps they are handing LHR T5 over to Ryanair and swapping slots at Stanstead?
Erin may want to weigh in on this as well but I do know that British Airways flies from Stansted Airport in the summer to Faro, Malaga, Palma and Ibiza. I did some research and found that they started flying from there in 2016.
I am scheduled to fly from New Delhi to Toronto in economy class. I was told I can carry 7 kg. as a carry on bag and two bags weighing 23 kg each for checked luggage. Now I have been told that I carry 23 kg as a hand bag and 2 bags 23 kgs each as checked baggage. Is that correct?
Hi Harwinder,
Are you flying in standard economy class or premium economy? If you’re flying standard economy you should be able to bring 1 personal item, 1 carry on bag, and 1 piece of checked luggage at 23kg each, free of charge.
Thanks for reading!
I am currently booked on a flight to London which does not include a checked bag. I received an email from British Airways saying that I could purchase that privelige for less than at the airport if I did it online through that email. I had to buy to find out the price, so I haven’t said yes yet..
Do you have any idea how much that is likely to be?
Hey Hilary, an email that won’t give you the price seems really suspect to me and is something I have never heard of. I would worry that someone is trying to scam you and certainly would not purchase the checked bag through that link. If you contact British Airways either online or over the phone, they should be able to give you up to date pricing for your flight and either confirm or deny that the email in question came from them.
Sir, we are traveling on July 01, 2019 from Hyderabad, India to Tulsa, OK, USA & back to Hyderabad on July 26th, from SFO, CA.
Is the checked baggage only one pc at 23 kg or 2 pc at 23kg each / customer? Kindly clarify, please.
Hi T.M. Joseph,
British Airways has a checked baggage allowance of 2 x 23kg pieces per Economy passenger for flights connecting between India and the United States. If you would like to refer to this on BA’s website, it is stated under the section ‘Checked baggage in economy’ and then ‘Flights between specific destinations’.
Hello, how much is the allowance weight for additional baggage on British Airways with business class?
Hi Reza – as clearly noted in the post above under the “Additional / Excess Baggage Fees” section:
Club Europe
To/from London Gatwick or Stanstead: £36/$55/€46 (online/ in advance); £50/$75/€65 (at the airport)
All other Routes: £60/$90/€70 (online/ in advance); £65/$100/€75 (at the airport)
Club World and First Class
Each bag: £120/$180/€140 (online/ in advance); Each bag:£140/$200/€150 (at the airport)
Hi,
I am travelling to Aberdeen from Delhi in economy standard. Can you please tell me what is the maximum baggage (hand and check in baggage) that I can carry?
Hi Saurabh,
Economy passengers are permitted to bring 1 x 23 kg checked bag (90 x 75 x 43cm,) 1 x standard carry-on (56 x 45 x 25cm, 23 kg, and 1 x personal item (40 x 30 x 15cm, 23 kg).
I am leaving Australia in September to Manchester and I am just wondering what my hand luggage weight is as I have been told its only 7kg from Australia in economy class and now reading your comments its 23kg. So please an answer on this, it would be helpful, thanks Fran
Hi Frances,
The hand luggage allowance is 23kg for British Airways, up to a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 18in x 10in. You are also permitted to bring a personal item that they state can weigh up to 23kg (maximum size 40cm x 30cm x 15cm (16in x 12in x 6in.)
Catherine,
When I read that cabin allowance was 23kg (very generous), I thought it meant the combined weight of the two carry-ons. Now I found out that each of the two bags can weight up to 23kg (extremely generous). Both my bags for this summer to UK are within the permitted size.
Incredible !!!
Hi Joe, great news! Have a good trip.
Frances,
I am used to the 7kg limit on most airlines and as a photographer, I find this extremely limiting. BA’s 23kg limit is perfect. Looks like I shall fly BA more often.
Joe
I will be flying from Heathrow to Yangon, Myanmar in July. My flight to Doha is BA then from Doha to Yangon is on Qatar Airways. Does the 60GBP excess baggage per case still apply if I wish to use this?
Hi Deborah – not exactly sure what you mean by “if I wish to use this”… do you mean if you end up having baggage that is in excess of BA’s limits?
Usually, you have to adhere to the baggage limits of each airline you’re flying with, regardless of who you booked with. So, BA’s limits should apply on the BA leg and Qatar’s limits should apply on the Qatar leg… does that make sense?
Hi am booked on Cathay (bag allowance 30kg total one or 2 bags) from shanghai to Johannesburg. Then BA johannesburg to Port Elizabeth. I have one through ticket from Shanghai to Port Elizabeth. How would my baggage allowance work in this case withe the BA part of baggage?
Hi Harsheela,
If you have a ticket booked through to Port Elizabeth, then your baggage allowance for the full journey would be for the most significant carrier, that would be Cathay Pacific in this case.
If I am traveling from Edinburgh to London Heathrow then to Frankfurt and my luggage is overweight what would be the cost?
Hi Cathy,
If your bag is overweight (23-32kg (51-70lb) you would be charged £65 for the journey through to Frankfurt, providing you don’t have a stopover of more than 24 hours at London Heathrow.
How much does an extra bag cost on BA from Lagos to Toronto.
Hi Olasimbo,
Providing the two flights have been booked on one ticket with British Airways, the cost of an extra bag would be £120/$180/€140 when booked online before your flight or £140/$200/€150 when booked at the airport.
How many kg of hand luggage and checked baggage included in a price of British Airways flight ticket from Sweden to Philippines?
Hi Janet,
These are the baggage allowances for the different cabins:
Checked luggage:
Hand Baggage Only / Basic: 0 bags included
Economy: 1 bag included (23kg/51lbs)
Premium Economy: 2 bags included (23kg/51lbs)
Business: 2 bags included (32kg/70lbs)
First: 3 bags included (32kg/70lbs)
Hand luggage:
Personal item: 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in), up to 23kg (51lb)
Standard carry-on: 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in), up to 23kg (51lb)
I will be flying from Hong Kong to UK very soon, but I have a package measuring 82cm x 82cm x 52cm. Can it be checked in？
Thanks
Hi Raymond, it looks like your package exceeds BA’s limits for checked baggage: 90cm x 75cm x 43cm. Even if they utilized max linear dimensions instead of set height/length/depth, you would still be over by about 8cm.
HOWEVER, British Airways website currently states: “You can take larger items of up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) as long as they weigh no more than your permitted baggage weight allowance. If the bag weighs more than your allowance, you will be charged extra at the airport. No bag can weigh more than 32kg.”
So, it appears you’ll be able to check this in, providing it’s within the weight restriction and does not include any prohibited items.
Hi,
Please let me know how many kilos can I check in if I hold a business class ticket to Tel Aviv? Can I check in 2 pieces of luggage with each one weighing 32 kilos or can I check in 2 pieces amounting together to 32 kilos?
Thanks!
Hi Daniel,
Business class passengers can check 2 bags with each bag weighing up to 32kg/70lbs.
Hi,
I am travelling from Berlin via Heathrow to Islamabad Pakistan on British Airways in Economy class.
I would like to know about my baggage limitations. How much weight am I allowed to take with me is it 23 kg + 1 hand carry or 2*23kg + 1 handcarry??
Please let me know asap.
Thanks
Waleed,
Keep in mind we are not British Airways, so you should double check directly with them in addition. If you’re flying in economy, you should be able to take 1 bag (as outlined in this post you commented on). If you’re flying in basic economy, you are not allowed any checked bags and are only allowed a carry-on.
We are traveling to AMS on KLM on an overnight flt from Boston in late August. We arrive at 9:15am. We have a BA flt to Gatwick at 10:15pm the same day we arrive AMS and are planning on spending the day in the city. My question is how early can we check our bags with BA? We would like to drop them with BA after we clear customs rather than having to put them in storage. Can’t find this info anywhere. Sent request to BA and the response did not answer question.
Hi Scott,
It’s usually 3 hours before a flight but this can vary between airports, airlines, and check-in assistants. It’s worth enquiring when you arrive and if you get turned away, then you have the option of luggage storage at Schiphol for €9 per bag, per day.
How much do I have to pay for extra baggage per kg from Mumbai to Phoenix
Nischal,
As we covered in the article, the charge will be $90 for the first bag if purchased online or $100 at the airport. The second one is also $90 if purchased online or $100 at the airport. From the third one on, you’ll pay $140 if purchased online or $200 at the airport.
Hi I was wondering if anyone can help. I’m using British Airways to travel to London then Qatar Airlines to Doha then Perth one way to Immigrat. On BA I’d 23kg but Qatar is 32kg – surely I get to use the 32kg as BA is just a short flight? Please help me.
Hi Pauline, as a general rule you’ll be restricted to the weight allowance you’re given with each carrier. BA won’t give you any type of pass or waiver for the extra weight just because you’re flying Qatar on a different/connecting flight.
We often fly a short hop to an airport where we can fly a longer hop and have to make sure our bags are within the lower weight allowance in order to not incur excess fees on the short hop.
Hi
I would like to take a painting with me which measures 100 x 100 x 10 cms and weighs 5kg. Please let me know if I have to pay extra baggage? I’m travelling from Mumbai to London and will have one checked in bag weighing about 18 kgs.
Regards
Bal
Hi Bal,
If you’re flying in Economy then you will have a free checked allowance of 1 x 23 kg bag. British Airways does not allow you to split your weight allowance across multiple pieces so you will need to purchase another piece. BA states that you can check a piece up to 190 x 75 x 65cm so we advise you give BA a call to find out if this applies to max linear dimensions, in which case the item would be fine.
Hi, I want to book LAX – London with Economy ticket by British Air and it says “hand bag only”, so how many pieces and weight limit is that? Thanks!
Hi Tara,
Hand baggage only permits passengers to bring only 1 carry-on item (22 x 18 x 10in and up to 51lb) and 1 personal item (16 x 12 x 6in and up to 51lb). No checked luggage is included in this fare.
Can we carry on some fold up hiking poles that are 27″ long? They are too long to put inside my checked baggage.
Hi Angie,
Regardless of the length, it is likely British Airways would not permit hiking poles to be transported as carry-on for safety reasons as they restrict many sharp and blunt objects. It’s best you give them a call to confirm their policy on this.
I bought a ticket from Sri Lankan Airlines to go from DFW to Colombo, where the DFW to London flight (and back) was on British Airways and London to Colombo was on Sri Lankan Airlines. Going to Sri Lanka they charged $100 for the 2nd baggage and I was told I do not have to pay for the 2nd bag for my return flight. But they charged me another $100 for the return flight from Sri Lanka. I would like to know whether it was a mistake and also why they charged me when I was told that for the return trip the second bag was free. Please reply. Thank you.
Hi Chatura,
Please be aware that we are not Sri Lankan Airlines or British Airways and have no affiliation with these airlines. You will need to contact Sri Lankan Airlines directly to query if the charge was correct.
Hi, I have purchased extra baggage for British Airways from Chennai to London. They had charges around Indian Rupees 11,000. Now I don’t want that excess baggage. What is the procedure to cancel and get the refund amount? Will i get a refund?
Hi Mohamed,
British Airways says “If you purchase extra bags online and then change your mind, you can either change or cancel them and request a refund. You must do this online at Manage My Booking before you check in. We’re unable to process any change or refund requests after you have checked in, at the airport or once the flight has departed.”