Knowing the British Airways cabin bag size and weight limits is crucial if you are soon departing with the airline, especially for those with economy tickets. Keeping up-to-date with these restrictions ensures you stay within the standard limits and avoid unnecessary charges at the baggage desk. Oversized and overweight baggage can easily result in hefty charges, impacting your travel budget and causing stress.
But worry not! This post covers everything about the British Airways baggage allowance, discussing all the relevant information. Read about carry-on, checked baggage, attached fees, special items allowance, and rules according to the selected fare.
Quick Rundown of the British Airways Baggage Allowance
To shed light on a situation, passengers can bring three types of baggage when boarding BA flights. These are basically handbags (lightest), cabin bags (medium-sized), and checked baggage (heaviest). The quantity, size, and weight limit for these bags change according to your purchased fare. However, whether you are holding a ticket for British Airways, BA CityFlyer, or BA EuroFlyer, the carry-on and handbag allowance is the same for all.
In contrast, passengers flying in Economy class are not provided with checked bags in their allowance. Additionally, the British Airways international baggage allowance is just like the domestic flights. So you don’t have to learn different rules for different flights.
Discussing British Airways Carry On Size in Detail
In the preceding section, we discussed that every BA flyer is allowed to carry hand baggage. This includes a carry-on and a handbag completely free of charge. The British Airways carry on size must be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in). Do not forget to count wheels, pockets, and handles during measurement.
Wondering what should be the size of a handbag? Well, the personal item size should be up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in). A passenger should be able to fit their carry-on and handbag under the seat or in the designated spot. That’s why the airline gives so much importance to size restrictions. If you fail to adhere to these guidelines, your belongings will literally not fit in the compartment, and you have to check them in.
Get Your Head Around the Weight Limits!
Apart from BA carry on dimensions, weight limits also play an important part. Both handbags and cabin luggage can weigh within 23kg or 51lbs. The airline provides space under the seat and designated overhead compartments where passengers can put their belongings.
Plus, according to the carrier’s policy, passengers are solely responsible for stowing their belongings. Thus, make sure to pack your bags accordingly.
What Can You Carry for Children on British Airways?
Passengers flying with lap babies (equal to or less than 2 years old) are allowed to bring extra bags. However, if you fly on a Basic fare, the no-checked-bag policy stays the same for you and your infant. If a kid is occupying a seat (paid ticket), he/she is entitled to British Airways cabin bag size and checked bag allowance like the adult passengers.
In the case where your flight has multiple connections in between with one booking reference, the baggage allowance will be considered for the airline with the longest route. For multiple connecting flights with more than one booking reference, it should be best to check the baggage allowance of the involved airlines.
Types of Bags You Can Bring Onboard the BA Flights
According to British Airways, any baggage that fits the standard BA carry on dimensions, and weighs within limits is considered the right cabin luggage. You can pack anything in your carry-on as long as you follow the standard restrictions. As for the handbags, these are usually small in size. You can pack important inflight must-haves in these, such as medicines, books, battery packs, etc.
For daily flights, passengers can easily bring these two bags onboard the BA flights. However, there is usually too much rush during the holiday or peak travel times, and the airline asks passengers to check in larger cabin bags.
Therefore, we recommend passengers pack inflight essentials in smaller handbags. So that in case you are asked to put the cabin bag in the hold, you still have access to your onboard amenity kit.
Pro Tip: Choose a cabin bag that is easy to handle so you can navigate the airport comfortably!
Restrictions on Liquids Bag British Airways
British Airways permits passengers to bring liquid, gel, and aerosol-based items in handbags if they meet certain restrictions. The requirements are as follows:
- Container – The size of the liquid container must be 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less. Every container must be kept in a single, see-through, and re-sealable plastic bag of up to 20 x 20cm (8 x 8in). Its storage capacity must be up to 1 liter approx. or 1 quart.
- Security Screening – During security screening, the passenger will have to take out the bag for a separate screening.
- Exception – Baby formula, milk, breast milk, and other required liquid medicines can exceed the stated limitation. However, you should label these items properly and take them out for separate screening.
Explaining British Airways Checked Baggage Allowance & Fees
Just like British Airways carry on measurements, the airline also has restrictions on checked bags according to selected destination and travel class. According to the airline’s policy, travelers can take checked baggage size on BA flights should be up to 90 x 75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17in). Plus, passengers should arrive at the airport early to submit their bags at the counter 90 minutes before the scheduled departure.
Additionally, keep in mind that even if you exceed the checked bag standard dimension, it still should not be more than 190 x 75 x 65 cm. The airline will levy an excess baggage fee if you exceed the maximum limit.
On top of that, the airline allows travelers to check in up to 10 pieces of checked bags as long as they meet the standard weight. Since the airline is very generous with its baggage allowance, we don’t think there will be scenarios of exceeding the checked baggage limit.
| Cabin | Checked bags |
| Economy Basic (cabin and handbag only) | Not allowed |
| Economy (with checked bag) | One (23kg) bag |
| Premium economy | Two (23kg) bags |
| Business | Three (32kg) bags |
| First | Four (32kg) bags |
How Much Will You Have to Pay For Extra Bags?
When you do go overboard with your checked bags’ weight and size limits, you will have to pay an excess fee per item as per the following table:
| Extra Baggage | Purchasing Online | Charges at the Airport |
| First | £20 – £40 | £40 – £65 |
| Each extra bag | £36 – £60 | £40 – £65 |
| When traveling on connecting flights | £65 | £40 – £65 |
Therefore, if you want to travel under your decided budget, make sure to keep your bags’ weight under the limit. Once they cross the 51-pound mark, British Airways will charge 65 GBP / 75 EUR / 100 USD / 100 CAD per overweight item and one-way flight. The airline will not accept any bag over 32kgs as checked items; you might have to ship it separately as cargo.
Additional Tip: Purchase extra checked bags fare in advance of your flight departure and use the online portal for reasonable charges. Otherwise, the airline does not favor last-minute purchases and levies hefty fees at the airport desk.
Special Items as Checked Luggage on British Airways Flights
Passengers attending a sporting event or taking their favorite musical instrument for a trip can check these items on hold. However, the guide for each varies a little.
Musical Instruments
Your musical instrument will be checked in for free if it meets the standard weight and size allowance. However, you must pay an extra fee if you have already utilized your checked baggage allowance. Since these instruments are very dear to you, make sure to pack them in a protective case. It is also important that you have enough insurance for your musical item.
| Small Musical Instrument | 80 x 45 x 25cm [31 x 18 x 10in] |
| Medium-sized Musical Instrument | Over 80cm long (Not larger than 140 x 50 x 46cm (55 x 20 x 18in)) |
| Large and heavy Instruments | Exceeding weight limit but staying within the standard dimensions. Over 23kg (50lb) |
Sports Equipment
Just as musical instruments, passengers can also bring sports equipment for free as checked baggage. Pay an extra fee when you have already used the allowance. As per the equipment, you can bring any as long as you timely inform the airline about it. Contact the representative through online chat or the contacts page just when you book and confirm your flight tickets.
| Sports Equipment That You Can Bring | |
| Heavy or big equipment | Diving equipment |
| Specialist equipment | Golf clubs and umbrellas |
| Bikes | Firearms and ammunition |
| Diving equipment | Ski and snowboarding equipment |
| Surfboards and kayaks | Rackets, rods, cues, sticks and skateboards |
Passengers can also purchase an additional seat to bring their instrument or sports equipment as cabin baggage and put them on the extra seat.
Find Out More:
The British Airways personal item size should be up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) and within 23kg (51lb).
Your British Airways cabin bag size should not be more than 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in), and the handbag must not exceed 40cm x 30cm x 15cm.
The liquid-based items should be within a 100ml quantity and placed under single transparent bags with a capacity of 1 liter, approx. 1 quart.
British Airways is strict about its cabin baggage allowance and checks in any bag that is over the standard limit.
The British Airways baggage allowance for international flights is the same as for domestic flights. Passengers can bring one handbag, one carry-on, and checked baggage (as per selected fare).
Yes. All passengers can bring one carry-on and a handbag on British Airways flights.
The hand baggage size BA flights should be within 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in), and the weight must not exceed 23kg.
Of course! Passengers can purchase extra baggage with British Airways online on the official website or at the airport baggage desk.
