British Airways baggage allowances vary by ticket type. Economy passengers get 1 bag (23kg), Premium Economy gets 2 bags (23kg each), Business gets 2 bags (32kg each), and First Class gets 3 bags (32kg each). Economy Basic fares include no checked baggage. Extra bags cost £35–£140 online and £75–£165 at the airport.

Baggage fees are one of the most common and most avoidable travel expenses. A single oversight at the check-in counter can cost you £65 or more on top of your ticket price. Knowing British Airways’ rules before you fly puts that money back in your pocket.

What Is the Baggage Allowance with British Airways?

British Airways operates a piece-based baggage system, not a weight-based one. This means your allowance is defined by the number of bags and the maximum weight per bag not a combined total weight for your hold luggage.

Here’s the full breakdown by cabin class:

No checked bag may exceed 32kg under any circumstances. Bags between 23kg and 32kg that exceed your allowance are subject to a heavy bag fee not just any bag weighing over 23kg.

How Many Bags Are Free on British Airways?

The number of free bags depends entirely on your fare type and cabin class. Economy Basic British Airways’ cheapest fare includes zero free checked bags. Every other Economy fare includes one bag at 23kg.

This is one of the most common pain points for travelers. Passengers who book the cheapest available fare assume a checked bag is included, only to discover at the airport that it isn’t. The lesson: always check your fare type before purchasing.

Executive Club members receive an additional allowance. Gold and Silver tier members get one extra 32kg bag on top of their standard class allowance when flying on eligible routes.

What Does “2 Bags at 23KG” Mean on British Airways?

Premium Economy passengers are allocated 2 bags at 23kg each not 2 bags with a combined limit of 23kg. You can check in two separate suitcases, each weighing up to 23kg, for a total hold weight of up to 46kg.

This is frequently misunderstood. A passenger checking in two bags where one weighs 18kg and the other weighs 26kg would be charged a heavy bag fee on the second bag, because it exceeds the individual 23kg per-bag limit even though the combined weight is 44kg and within the theoretical total.

What Are British Airways’ Hand Baggage Weight and Size Limits?

British Airways allows every passenger one cabin bag and one small personal item in the cabin, regardless of fare type (including Economy Basic).

The combined weight of both items must not exceed 23kg. In practice, British Airways does not weigh hand baggage at the gate on every flight, but the airline is within its rights to check. If your cabin bag is oversized or overweight, it will be checked into the hold and counted against your checked baggage allowance with potential excess fees applied.

All liquids in your cabin bag must be in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a single 1-litre transparent resealable plastic bag.

How Much Baggage Is Allowed on British Airways for International Flights?

For most international routes, the allowances in the table above apply. However, British Airways notes that certain routes operate under different rules. The standard international policy does not apply to flights to or from:

• Brazil
• Ghana
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Sierra Leone
• Connecting journeys between India and the USA, Bermuda, or Canada

Passengers on these routes should verify their specific allowance on the British Airways website before travel, as allowances may differ from the standard class-based policy.

What Is the British Airways Checked Baggage Price for Extra Bags?

Booking additional checked baggage online is significantly cheaper than paying at the airport. The difference can be as much as £40–£50 per bag. Here’s the comparison:

Real-world scenario: A family of four, each on Economy Basic fares, needing one checked bag each would pay £140–£320 online versus £300–£380 at the airport. Booking in advance saves a meaningful amount.

Payment note: At most airports including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and airports in North America only credit or debit cards are accepted for excess baggage fees. Cash is not accepted at many locations, and Avios points cannot be used to pay for excess or overweight baggage.

What Is British Airways’ Extra Baggage Cost for Overweight Bags?

If a checked bag weighs between 23kg and 32kg and that weight exceeds your class allowance, British Airways charges a heavy bag fee of £65 / €75 / $100 USD / $100 CAD per bag per one-way journey.

British Airways does not charge by the kilogram. It’s a flat fee per overweight bag, regardless of whether you’re 1kg or 8kg over the limit. Bags heavier than 32kg are refused entirely.

Edge case: A Business Class passenger with 2 x 32kg bags included in their fare would not pay a heavy bag fee on bags up to 32kg. But a Premium Economy passenger whose single bag weighs 28kg would be charged the £65 heavy bag fee because 28kg exceeds their 23kg-per-bag allowance.

Do You Get a Free 10kg Bag with British Airways?

No. British Airways does not offer a separate free 10kg cabin bag allowance. This is a common misconception possibly confused with policies at budget carriers. All BA passengers receive one cabin bag (up to 56 x 45 x 25cm) and one personal item, with a combined weight limit of 23kg for both items.

There is no “free 10kg bag” separate from the standard cabin allowance.

How Strict Is British Airways with Baggage?

British Airways does enforce its baggage policy, though the consistency varies by route and airport. At London Heathrow its main hub checks tend to be more rigorous, particularly for flights showing full overhead locker capacity.

Key points on enforcement:

• Oversized cabin bags are likely to be gate-checked on busy flights and counted against your checked baggage allowance
• Economy Basic passengers are particularly scrutinized, since any additional bag triggers a fee
• Overweight checked bags are flagged automatically at the check-in scale

The safest approach: weigh your bag at home and measure your cabin bag before leaving. Luggage scales are inexpensive and eliminate guesswork.

What Are British Airways’ Rules for Special Items and Sporting Equipment?

Musical instruments and sporting equipment can be carried as part of your checked baggage allowance or as additionally purchased baggage. In certain circumstances, British Airways accepts items up to 45kg and 190cm x 75cm x 65cm larger than the standard checked bag limit of 90 x 75 x 43cm.

Items over 23kg may incur an extra charge. Oversized items (larger than 90 x 75 x 43cm but within the special item size limit) require advance notification and should be checked in at least 90 minutes before departure.

Mobility aids: Wheelchairs and mobility scooters are carried free of charge and do not count against your standard baggage allowance. Contact British Airways in advance to arrange handling.

Pets: British Airways does not accept pets in the cabin (with the exception of trained assistance dogs, which travel free). Pet travel is arranged through British Airways’ cargo services.

What Prohibited Items Should You Know About Before Flying BA?

The following items are banned from checked baggage and must travel in hand luggage or not at all:

• Power banks and spare lithium-ion batteries
• E-cigarettes and vapes (must be in hand baggage only)

The following are banned from both cabin and checked baggage:

• Alcohol with a volume above 70% ABV
• Flammable materials, explosives, and other dangerous goods

British Airways follows UK Civil Aviation Authority and international IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations on all restricted items.

What Happens If British Airways Loses or Delays Your Baggage?

British Airways’ liability for lost, delayed, or damaged baggage is limited under the Montreal Convention, which caps compensation at approximately 1,131 Special Drawing Rights (roughly £1,050–£1,150 depending on current exchange rates). This applies unless you declare a higher value in advance and pay an additional charge.

Important claim deadlines:

• Missing bags: Report within 21 days of the bag going missing
• Damaged bags or contents: Report within 7 days of receiving your bag

British Airways does not accept liability for:

• Jewellery, valuables, or money in checked baggage
• Fragile or perishable items
• Baggage packed in unsuitable or already-damaged containers

Practical tip: Keep valuables, important documents, medication, and electronics in your hand baggage not in checked luggage. For high-value items, obtain travel insurance before your flight rather than relying on airline liability limits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prepay for extra baggage after I’ve already checked in online?
No. Extra baggage must be purchased before you begin online check-in. Once check-in is complete, you’ll need to pay at the airport check-in desk, which means higher fees of £75–£165 per bag.

Does British Airways charge per kilogram for overweight bags?
No. BA charges a flat fee of £65 per overweight bag per one-way flight not per kilogram. A bag that is 1kg over the limit costs the same as one that is 8kg over.

What happens if both my cabin bag and personal item together exceed 23kg?
British Airways’ cabin bag policy states both items combined must not exceed 23kg. If your items are overweight, staff can require you to check the cabin bag into the hold, where standard excess fees may apply.

Do infant passengers get a baggage allowance on British Airways?
Yes. Infants under 24 months traveling without a seat receive a 23kg checked baggage allowance on all fares except Economy Basic, which includes no checked baggage for infants.

Can I use Avios to pay for extra or overweight baggage?
No. Avios points cannot be used to pay for excess baggage fees or overweight bag charges at the airport or online.

Are there routes where the standard BA baggage policy doesn’t apply?
Yes. Flights to and from Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, plus connecting journeys between India and the USA, Bermuda, or Canada, operate under different allowance rules. Always check your specific booking.

If my bag is slightly oversized but not overweight, is there a fee?
Bags larger than the standard 90 x 75 x 43cm but within 190 x 75 x 65cm are treated as oversized items. British Airways recommends contacting them in advance, as special handling may apply and a fee could be charged.

Can I split my Business Class 2-bag allowance with a travel companion?
No. Baggage allowances are per passenger and cannot be transferred or shared between passengers on the same booking.

What is British Airways’ liability if my checked bag is damaged but not lost?
You must report damage within 7 days of receiving your bag. BA’s liability is capped under the Montreal Convention approximately £1,050–£1,150. BA does not accept liability for fragile items or inadequately packed bags.

Does British Airways weigh cabin bags at the gate?
Not routinely, but BA staff are permitted to weigh cabin bags at any point. On busy flights with full overhead capacity, oversized bags are frequently gate-checked. Economy Basic passengers are subject to closer checks since they are not entitled to any checked baggage as part of their fare.