British Airways baggage allowance

maximum dimensions of the primary piece of hand luggageWith there being an update to the Virgin Baggage allowance at the end of 2009, and to the KLM baggage allowance from the 28th March 2010, we thought it timeous to remind our clients of the British Airways baggage allowances.

[see British Airways site for most up to date baggage allowance rules]

Hand luggage

You are allowed to take a handbag or laptop with you on the plane, in addition to one piece of hand luggage. If you have an infant (under 2 years of age at end of flight) travelling with you, you may take one bag containing items the infant may require during the flight.

maximum dimensions of the laptop bag on British Airways flightsDimensions of hand luggage

The main item of hand luggage may not be larger than 45cm x 56cm x 25cm (including the pockets, handle and wheels). The laptop or handbag may not be larger than 36cm x 45cm x 20cm (including the pockets & handle).

Weight of hand luggage

Passengers must be able to lift and place their hand luggage into the overhead lockers without assistance.

Musical instruments

A musical instrument may be carried over and above passengers' stated hand baggage allowance, with the proviso that its dimensions are not larger than that of a guitar and that it can be security screened.

Franchise hand baggage allowances

As a result of smaller aircraft used than British Airways, Comair in South Africa and Sunair of Scandinavia have maximum baggaqe weights. Comair (BA6200 - BA6449) has a maximum hand baggage allowance of 7kg. Sunair of Scandinavia (BA8200 - BA8299) has a maximum hand luggage allowance of 6kg.

Airline alliance partners baggage allowance

It is possible to book flights on the British Airways website which are not operated by British Airways, but by one of its codeshare partners. It is possible that the British Airways baggage allowance is more generous than the codeshare partner, and you should check with the codeshare partner what their luggage allowance is. British Airways has codeshares with Oneworld Alliance members () as well as with Aer LingusFlybe, Loganair and Meridiana.

Checked-in luggage

You are entitled to a free baggage allowance, which will vary depending on which class of travel and ticket type you book. You can take extra bags with you for a charge and save money when you pay online before you fly.

Size and weight of free baggage allowances

The dimensions of the bag should be 90cm x 75cm x 43cm, including the handle, pockets and wheels, but you may take bags up to the dimensions 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (including the handle, pockets and wheels).  This allows you to take items such as sporting equipment and musical instruments etc at no additional cost. These larger bags can take longer to arrive from your flight and are generally delivered to a separate area of the baggage hall.

Travelling in more than one cabin

If you are travelling in more than one cabin e.g. outbound in economy class and the return in business class, you will be given the more generous allowance for the whole journey. 

Travelling with separate tickets

If you are travelling on separate tickets the baggage allowance for each ticket will apply individually.

Free baggage allowances for all flights booked from 7 Oct 2009

Free allowances for all flights EXCEPT Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada:

 

 

Adults and children(aged 12 years and over)  

Weight per bag 

 

Children(aged 2-11)

 

Infants under 2 years

First
Club World

Three bags

23kg free
(up to 32kg*)

Same as adult allowance plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat

One bag plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat.
You cannot pay to take extra bags for an infant

Club Europe

Two bags

23kg free
(up to 32kg*)

World Traveller Plus

Two bags

23kg free
(up to 32kg at £30/US$50**)

World Traveller
Euro Traveller
Domestic

One bag

23kg free
(up to 32kg at £30/US$50**)

Gold and Silver Executive Club members can carry two bags up to 32kg (BA will waive the heavy bag charge) in all cabins, on all routes, unless the cabin allowance is greater. 
Notes:
*First, Club World and Club Europe passengers can take up to 32kg free of charge as British Airways will waive the heavy bag charge.
**Charges will be converted to local currency at the airport. You cannot pre-pay the heavy bag charge online, it must be paid at the airport.

Free allowances for Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada:

 

 

Adults and children(aged 12 years and over)   

 

Weight per bag

 

Children(aged 2-11)

Infants under 2 years 

First
Club World

Three bags

23kg free
(up to 32kg*)

Same as Adult allowance plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat

One standard- sized bag plus one fully-collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat
You cannot pay to take extra bags for an infant.

World Traveller Plus
World Traveller

Two bags

23kg free
(up to 32kg at £30/US$50**)

Gold and Silver Executive Club members can carry two bags up to 32kg (BA will waive the heavy bag charge) in all cabins, on all routes, unless the cabin allowance is greater.
Passengers travelling to and from Brazil are entitled to take up to 32kg at no additional charge.
Notes:
*First, Club World and Club Europe passengers can take up to 32kg free of charge as British Airways will waive the heavy bag charge.
**Charges will be converted to local currency at the airport. You cannot pre-pay the heavy bag charge online, it must be paid at the airport.

Large and heavy bags

If you want to take bags which are larger or heavier than the guide given above, you will need to send them via British Airways World Cargo. The only exceptions are musical instruments and film equipment weighing less than 45kg that cannot be broken down and that we have been notified of in advance.

Sporting equipment

Because of the large size and the associated handling complexities, there is some equipment that BA cannot accept as checked baggage. Therefore, we do not accept the following equipment:

Bicycles on British Airways flights

British Airways will accept non-motorised bicycles of all dimensions provided they are packed in a recognised bicycle bag. Preparing bicycles for travel:

Diving equipment on British Airways flights

BA will accept the following diving equipment provided it is packed in a recognised kit bag and does not exceed the maximum dimensions and weight restrictions:

Preparing diving equipment for travel: 

Golfing equipment on British Airways flights
Firearms on British Airways flights

Notify BA before you fly
All firearms (including replica and decommissioned) and ammunition are restricted under UK law and you must notify BA at least 72 hours before you travel to ensure compliance with UK government (or other local government) embargoes and restrictions. You must ensure you have the required documentation and licences for your firearms and ammunition. This includes export/import licences and authorisation from local and national authorities.

Check-in time
When you travel with firearms you must be at check-in at least 2 hours before your flight, to allow sufficient time to process the paperwork prior to clearing security.

Transferring through London
If you are transferring through London you require a minimum connecting time of 3 hours.

Handling charge
Each case containing firearms is subject to a £50 each way charge at check-in. Firearms are handled by a specialist third party agent on our behalf, this charge covers their costs.

Packing firearms
Firearms will be accepted provided they are packed in an appropriate carriage case, or if this is not possible, packed securely inside a suitcase.

Note when travelling to/from South Africa
If you are travelling to or from South Africa you cannot pack your firearms or ammunition in your checked baggage with your personal effects. The firearm and ammunition must be packed in separate locked bags or containers. You will not be charged for the extra bag.

Preparing firearms for travel:

Skis & snowboards on British Airways flights

British Airways will accept skis and snowboards of all dimensions provided they are packed correctly.

Preparing skis and snowboards for travel:


*Note:  Remember each bag that exceeds your free checked baggage allowance will incur an extra bag fee.

Surfboards on British Airways flights

BA will accept short surfboards as long as they do not exceed the maximum dimensions and weight restrictions*. Surfboards will only be accepted if packed appropriately in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage.

*Maximum size dimensions: 190cm x 75cm x 65cm (75ins x 29.5ins x 25.5ins)
Maximum weight: 23kgs (bags between 23-32kg will be accepted; a heavy bag charge may apply).

Musical instruments on British Airways flights

 

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