British Airways checked baggage policy for tickets booked before 07.Oct 2009

Checked baggage

These are the free allowances for checked baggage and apply across all British Airways and franchise carrier operated flights (except Loganair using flight numbers BA8771-8999). When travelling on a codeshare flight the operating carrier's baggage policy applies.

Excess baggage charges will apply for any additional bags passengers want to check in.

Find out more about excess baggage

UK domestic routes allowances

*Children (2-11 years) are eligible to take additionally a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat 

Allowances for Europe and all other international routes excluding USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, South America, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana

*Children (2-11 years) are eligible to take additionally a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat 

Allowances for USA, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, South America, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana

*Children (2-11 years) are eligible to take additionally a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat 

Overweight Bag Charge effective 26 November 2008

In accordance with the UK Health and Safety Executive’s recommendation on the maximum weight for checked baggage, British Airways has introduced a limit of 23kg (51lbs) for any single checked bag as part of the free baggage allowance.

We understand that there are times when passengers will need to exceed this limit. Therefore, from 26 November 2008, a flat fee of £25 GBP will be applied to bags weighing more than 23kg (51lbs). This charge is to cover the additional handling that bags weighing over 23kg (51lbs) can attract. The Heavy Bag Charge can only be paid at the airport. No bag weighing over 32kgs (70lbs) will be accepted for carriage.

Please note for passengers ex Nigeria this procedure comes into effect from 29 Nov 2008.

Oversized Bag Charge effective 1 APR 2009

British Airways will introduce consistent maximum dimensions for baggage and a "special bag charge" for certain items to cover the additional cost of handling these items, with effect from 1 April 2009.

• Changes are:
  Maximum dimensions of items that can be checked in without incurring the special bag charge at all airports worldwide will be 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5ins x 29.5ins x 16ins)
• Introduction of a £25 handling charge for bags between 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5ins x 29.5ins x 16ins) and 240cm x 75cm x 65cm (94.5ins x 29.5ins x 25.6ins,which will become the new maximum dimensions for baggage.)
• Introduction of a £25 handling charge for firearms

The changes will apply to all passengers in World/Euro Traveller and World Traveller Plus who travel from 1 April 2009.

Customers who are travelling from 1 April with items that incur a handling charge will need to pay at the airport when they check in.

Items that exceed the maximum dimensions will not be accepted. Customers will be asked to re-pack into smaller bags that do not exceed the dimensions or to make arrangements for their items to be sent cargo.

Passengers with reduced mobility

• On routes where the baggage allowance is one bag, we will continue to allow passengers with reduced mobility to carry 2 bags up to a total of 23kg (51lbs).
• Wheelchairs will be accepted for carriage irrespective of weight. For wheelchairs that weigh over 32kg (70lbs) the passenger must notify British Airways at time of booking, or a minimum of 24 hours before departure. Battery operated wheelchairs need to be properly prepared for carriage, please contact us for further details.

Exceptional items

• We will not accept any items exceeding 32kg (70lbs) with the following exceptions;
  musical instruments, TV news cameras and commercial spares.
• If you are travelling with one of these items, it weighs between 32kg (70lbs) and 45kg (99lbs) and cannot be broken down to smaller items, it will be treated as two pieces of checked baggage.
• Any item weighing more than 45kg (99lbs) will not be accepted as checked baggage and will need to be transported as unaccompanied baggage. You can pre-arrange this through British Airways World Cargo or contact your local freight company.
• If you are travelling with any of these items, please notify us at the time of booking, or at a minimum of 24 hours before departure.

Sporting goods

All customers will be allowed to check in their respective free checked baggage allowance plus one additional piece to accommodate their sports equipment.

Sporting Equipment that can be taken free of charge within the above limitations and packaged with the correct packaging / travel cases are summarised and described here.

Loganair domestic flights

All passengers travelling in any class may take 15kg (33lbs) checked baggage.
See further information about connecting flights below if applicable.

Pets

• British Airways will no longer accept pets as checked baggage but need to contact our World Cargo department here.