British Airways Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses

Updated: July 9, 2023, 10:21pm CDT

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British Airways Baggage Fees & Tips To Cover the Expenses

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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 our guide clears things 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:

1 stroller per child can be checked at the gate free of charge.
A small, fully collapsible stroller (with maximum dimensions of 46 x 15 x 15 inches/117 x 38 x 38 cm (when collapsed)) can be taken to the gate and picked up outside of the destination gate on arrival.
A stroller that collapses 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 51 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy or 70 pounds (32 kg) for business and frst class fares and must adhere to max dimensions of 35 x 30 x 17 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 (51 pounds/23 kg)*

Premium Economy: 2 bags included (51 pounds/23 kg)

Business: 2 bags included (70 pounds/32 kg)

First: 3 bags included (70 pounds/32 kg)

Children and infants (aged 2 to 11 with a booked seat): Same allowance as an adult plus up to 2 items, including a collapsible stroller, travel cot, car seat or carry harness.

Infants under 2 years: 1 bag (51 pounds/23 kg) plus up to 2 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
Connecting between India and U.S./Bermuda/Canada
Connecting between Islamabad and U.S./Canada
Journeys originating in Kuwait to the British Airways network
Journeys originating in Saudi Arabia to U.S./Bermuda/Canada
Journeys originating in Shanghai to London Heathrow
Journeys originating in the United Arab Emirates to U.S./Mexico/Canada

Additional/Excess Baggage Fees

British Airways no longer publishes additional baggage charges on its website and advises passengers to use its 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)

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Route	Purchased Online	Purchased at the Airport
Short-haul to/from London City Airport	First bag: £30-£35/€40-€45 Second bag: £65/€80 Additional bags: £80/€95	First bag: £75/€85 Second bag: £75/€85 Additional bags: £95/€105
Short-haul to/from London Gatwick Airport	First bag: £25-£35/€30 Second bag: £45-£65/€60 Additional bags: £70-£80/€85	First bag: £50-£75/€65 Second bag: £50-£75/€65 Additional bags: £80-£95/€95
Short-haul to/from London Heathrow Airport	First bag: £30-£55/$75/€45-€80 Second bag: £65/$90/€80 Additional bags: £80/$115/€95	First bag: £75/$115/€85 Second bag: £75/$115/€85 Additional bags: £95/$135/€105
Short-haul to/from Dublin, Edinburgh, Manchester	First bag: £25-£35/$50/€40-€45 Second bag: £45-£65/$90/€70-€80 Additional bags: £60-£80/$90/€70-€95	First bag: £50-£75/$100/€75-€85 Second bag: £50-£75/$100/€75-€85 Additional bags: £65-£95/$100/€75-€105
Long-haul to/from U.S./Mexico from London Gatwick	First bag: £55/$70 Second bag: £65/$90 Third+ bags: £130/$170	First extra bag: £60/$75 Second extra bag: £75/$100 Third+ bags: £155/$200
All other Long-haul flights	First bag: $70/€65-€80 Second bag: $90/€70-€80 Third+ bags: $170/€140-€150	First bag: $75/€70-€95 Second bag: $100/€90-€120 Third+ bags: $200/€150-€180

Economy

Euro Traveller (Plus and Plus Flex)

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Route	Purchased Online	Purchased at the airport
Flights to/from London Gatwick	Second bag: £45-£65/€60 Third+ bags: £70-£80/€85	Second bag: £50-£75/€65 Third+ bags: £80-£95/€95
All other routes	Second bag: £60-£65/$90/€70 Third+ bags: £60-£80/$90/€70	Second bag: £65-£75/$100/€75 Third+ bags: £65-£95/$100/€75

Premium Economy

World Traveller Plus

Purchased Online/In Advance: £130/$170/€150
Purchased at the Airport: £155/$200/€180

Business and First Class

Club Europe

To/from London Gatwick:
- Purchased Online/In Advance: £70/€85
- Purchased at the Airport: £80/€95
All other Routes:
- Purchased Online/In Advance: £80/€95
- Purchased at the Airport: £95/€105

Club World and First Class

Purchased Online/In Advance: £120-£130/$170/€140-€150
Purchased at the Airport:£140-£155/$200/€150-€180

Excess Baggage Fees

Overweight Fee: 51 to 70 pounds (23 to 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.

Exclusions and 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: 1 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: 1 additional free checked bag but maximum of 2 bags per person when traveling in economy (excluding hand baggage only (basic) fares); weight allowance of 70 pounds (32 kg) per checked bag.

Can I Prepay for Baggage?

British Airways does allow passengers the ability to prepay 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

Unfortunately, the British Airways Visa Signature^® Card does not offer free checked baggage as a benefit, but you can use one of the Capital One cards below to knock out some of your checked bag fees when flying British Airways. Simply use your Capital One miles to pay for your travel statement charges (e.g. baggage fees) within 90 days of purchase at a rate of 1 cent per mile.

TOP PICK

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome OfferEarn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Excellent (740-840)

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

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Pros

10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Add authorized users for no additional annual fee (rates & fees)
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)

Cons

$395 annual fee (rates & fees)
Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
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
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Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

Welcome OfferEnjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$1,350

Annual Fee

$95

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent Credit (670-850)

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

Pros

5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
Access to Capital One transfer partners

Cons

$95 annual fee (rates & fees)
Limited elite benefits

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Learn More(at Capital One's secure site)

Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card

The card offers unlimited miles at 1.25x per $1 and no annual fee. When you consider the flexible rewards, frequent travelers come out on top.

Welcome OfferEarn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel.
20,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:
$360

Annual Fee

APR

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months

Credit Recommended

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Interested in a travel rewards credit card without one of those pesky annual fees? Then say hello to the Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card.

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Pros

No annual fee (rates & fees)
No foreign transaction fees (rates & fees)
Ability to use transfer partners
Fraud coverage

Cons

Weak earn rate at 1.25x miles per $1 spent on all purchases
No luxury travel or elite benefits

$0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 19.99% - 29.99% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies

Financial Snapshot

APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable),0% intro on purchases for 15 months
Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

To see more airline baggage fees and policies, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Miguel Ángel Sanz via Unsplash

Frequently Asked Questions

How much can my suitcase weigh on British Airways?

When flying British Airways, all checked bags must not exceed 51 pounds (23 kg) for economy and premium economy passengers and 70 pounds (32 kg) for business and first class passengers. Bags that are heavier than these standard allowances will be subject to excess baggage fees. Standard carry-on baggage cannot weigh more than 51 pounds (23 kg).

Is luggage included with British Airways?

Luggage is included with British Airways on all fares apart from its economy basic fare (hand baggage only). The standard allowance is 1 bag (50 pounds/23 kg) for economy (apart from selected routes which allow 2), 2 bags for premium economy (50 pounds/23 kg each), 2 bags for business class (70 pounds/32 kg) and 3 bags for first class (70 pounds/32 kg).

How big can a carry-on bag be for British Airways?

British Airways allows passengers to bring 1 standard piece of carry-on that must not exceed 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm) with a maximum weight of 51 pounds (23 kg). An additional personal item can be brought onboard that cannot be larger than 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm) with the same weight allowance as a standard carry-on piece.

How much is excess baggage on British Airways?

Excess baggage fees for British Airways depend on the route. If your bag exceeds the standard baggage allowance weighing 51 to 70 pounds (23 to 32 kg) then you will be subject to a fee of $100. Baggage heavier than 70 pounds (32 kg) will not be accepted by British Airways. Baggage that is larger than the standard checked baggage allowance of 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm) is permitted up to 75 x 29.5 x 25.5 inches (190 x 75 x 65 cm) and BA states that it currently waives the fee but this might come into effect at some point in the future.

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