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!
British Airways Carry-On Allowance
1 handbag/laptop bag: FREE
1 standard carry-on bag: FREE
Size Restrictions:
- Personal item: 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm), up to 51 pounds (23 kg)
- Standard carry-on: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm), up to 51 pounds (23 kg)
Lap Infant Carry-On Policy:
- 1 additional cabin bag is permitted for items required during the flight
- Up to 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm), up to 51 pounds (23 kg)
Stroller Check Policy:
- One stroller per child can be checked at gate free of charge.
- A small, fully collapsible stroller (with maximum dimensions of 46 x 15 x 15 inches/116.9 x 38.1 x 38.1 cm (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 50 pounds (23 kg) for Economy and Premium Economy; 70 pounds (32 kg) for Business and First Class fares, and must adhere to max dimensions of 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm ). Check the airline’s baggage calculator for your accurate allowance.
Hand Baggage Only / Basic: 0 bags included
Economy: 1 bag included (50 pounds/23 kg)*
Premium Economy: 2 bags included (50 pounds/23 kg)
Business: 2 bags included (70 pounds/32 kg)
First: 3 bags included (70 pounds/32 kg)
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 (50 pounds/23 kg) plus up to two items including a collapsible stroller, travel cot, car seat or carry harness.
*2 bags included (23kg) for economy flights:
- Flights to/from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria
- Flights between Europe and Japan
- Journeys originating in Shanghai to London Heathrow and return journey to Shanghai
- Connecting between Islamabad and USA/Bermuda/Canada
- Connecting between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada
- Journeys originating in Saudi Arabia to USA/Bermuda/Canada and the return journey to Saudi Arabia
- Journeys originating in Kuwait to the British Airways network and the return journey to Kuwait
- Journeys originating in the United Arab Emirates to USA/Mexico/Canada and the return journey to the United Arab Emirates
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: £30/$40/€35 Additional bags: £60/$80/€75 | £75/$100/€90 |
Short-haul to/from London Gatwick Airport | First bag: £25/$35/€30 – £35/$45/€43 Additional bags: £36/$43/€46 | £50/$65/€60 |
Short-haul to/from London Heathrow Airport | First bag: £30/$40/€35 – £60/$80/€75 Additional bags: £60/$80/€75 | £75/$100/€90 |
Short-haul to/from London Stansted, Bristol, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester | First bag: £30/$40/€35 – £60/$80/€75 Additional bags: £60/$80/€75 | £65/$85/€80 |
Long-haul to/from USA, Canada, Mexico from London Gatwick | First bag: £50/$65/€60 Second bag: £65/$85/€80 Third+ bags: £130/$170/€155 | First extra bag: £60/$80/€75 Second extra bag: £75/$100/€90 Third+ bags: £155/$200/€185 |
All other Long-haul flights | First bag: £70/$90/€85 Second bag: £70/$90/€85 Third+ bags: £130/$170/€155 | First bag: £85/$110/€100 Second bag: £85/$110/€100 Third+ bags: £155/$200/€185 |
Economy
Euro Traveller (Plus and Plus Flex)
- Flights to/from London Gatwick: £36/$43/€46 (online/ in advance); £50/$65/€60 (at the airport)
- All other routes: £60/$80/€75 (online/ in advance). £75/$100/€90 (at the airport)
Premium Economy
World Traveller Plus
- Each bag: £130/$170/€155 (online/ in advance); Each bag: £155/$200/€185 (at the airport)
Business & First Class
Club Europe
- To/from London Gatwick or Stanstead: £36/$43/€46 (online/ in advance); £50/$65/€60 (at the airport)
- All other Routes: £60/$80/€75 (online/ in advance); £75/$100/€90 (at the airport)
Club World and First Class
- Each bag: £120/$180/€140 (online/ in advance); Each bag:£140/$200/€150 (at the airport)
Excess Baggage Fees
- Overweight Fee: 51-70 pounds (23-32 kg) £65/$100/€75
- Oversized Fee: 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 of your checked bag fees when flying British Airways by using your points to pay for your statement charges (e.g. baggage fees).
Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card - This no annual fee card comes with a 20,000 bonus mile offer after spending $500 in the first 3 months. When you use your card for travel purchases (e.g. baggage fees), use your miles to pay off all, or part of, your statement balance! We've highlighted 30+ benefits of the card. |
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card - The "big brother" card to the VentureOne with a 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. This card is full of benefits and perks and you can redeem your miles on travel (flights, hotels, even paying for baggage fees etc) or transfer your miles to over 15+ travel loyalty programs. |
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - The newest card in the Capital One lineup with a welcome offer of 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Not only does the card come with up to $300 in statement credits when booking through Capital One Travel, you'll also get get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary. Earn unlimited 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, plus unlimited 2x miles on all other purchases. |
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 70 pounds (32 kg) 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 70 pounds (32 kg) per checked bag.
To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.
Featured Image Credit:
Shutterstock and British Airways