British Airways baggage rules: Hand luggage and hold bag tips

British Airways has a reasonable baggage allowance compared with some other UK airlines, such as the strict luggage rules put in place by Ryanair. However, passengers flying with the UK flag bearer are still expected to make sure they do not exceed their specific luggage weight and size allowance. Those who do take more bags than their ticket allows could end up shelling out extra at the airport.

Although making the most of a sale can help in scoring some of the best British Airways deals on flights and holidays, the cost can add up if you end up overpacking. The good news is, however, that there are some easy ways you can make sure you stay in line with the baggage allowance. We’ve rounded up all of the latest British Airways luggage rules, depending on which cabin you are sitting in. Scroll down for the complete guide, or click on the links to jump to the relevant section.

Alternatively, if you’re travelling with easyJet, read our easyJet luggage tips and tricks, if you’re flying with Jet2, you can visit our Jet2 luggage guide and for those jetting off with Ryanair, we have a full Ryanair luggage tips guide. Or, to find more cheap flights, read our easyJet best deals guide or our best Jet2 deals guide.

All customers flying with British Airways, on both short and long-haul routes, are entitled to the same hand luggage allowance:

• One handbag measuring up to 40 x 30 x 15cm and weighing up to 23kg
• One cabin bag measuring up to 54 x 45 x 25cm (including wheels and handles) and weighing up to 23kg

All passengers must be able to lift their own bags in the event they need to go into the overhead locker.

Larger bags are allowed in the cabin but are subject to available space. On busy flights, cabin bags may need to go into the hold.

Passengers are advised to pack essentials, such as medication, electronic devices and passports in their handbag, which is guaranteed a place in the cabin.

Duty-free purchases count towards your hand baggage allowance with British Airways, so passengers are expected to store these inside their bags before boarding your flight.

How much hold luggage passengers are entitled to depends on their ticket type.

• All checked baggage must not exceed measurements of 90 x 75 x 43cm
• Passengers with an Economy Basic ticket are not entitled to any checked luggage with their ticket
• Passengers with a Standard Economy ticket are entitled to one 23kg bag
• Passengers with a Premium Economy ticket are entitled to two 23kg bags
• Passengers with a Business ticket are entitled to two 32kg bags
• Passengers with a First Class ticket are entitled to three 32kg bags

Gold and Silver Executive Club members, and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members, may be entitled to more checked baggage.

The Executive Club is a loyalty programme which is free to join and allows passengers to collect reward points called Avois with they fly with BA and other oneworld partner airlines.

Silver Executive Club or oneworld Sapphire members are entitled to two checked bags up to 32kg in any travel cabin. This does not apply to a Basic fare, where there is no baggage allowance in any cabin.

Gold Executive Club or oneworld Emerald members are entitled to one additional checked bag up to 32kg in any travel cabin. This does not apply to a Basic fare, where there is no baggage allowance in any cabin.

You can find out more about luggage allowances and rules on the British Airways website. 

If you do end up exceeding your allotted luggage allowance, you may be required to purchase extra bags or pay to check your baggage into the hold.

According to British Airways’ website, if your checked bag weighs more than your allowance you may be charged £65 per overweight bag and one-way journey.

If the journey to your destination is on more than one British Airways flight and your onward connection is within 24 hours, or to the first available connecting flight to your destination, then you will pay just one Heavy Bag Charge per overweight bag for the entire one-way journey.

Planning ahead is one of the best ways to save money on extra bags. British Airways does allow passengers the ability to prepay for luggage online, and this is much cheaper than waiting until you are at the airport.

For example, an additional bag purchased online costs £30 to £55 when flying on a short-haul route from Heathrow Airport. However, the same bag when purchased last-minute at the airport cost £75.

British Airways’ weight and size allowance is fairly generous when compared with budget airlines, however, passengers should still make sure their hand and hold luggage does not exceed the measurements set out by the airline.

The Flight Knight 21″ cabin bag measures 55 x 35 x 20cm and is also lightweight, weighing in at just 2.9kg, meaning it won’t tip you over the scales. The bag is compatible with British Airway’s cabin bag rules, as well as easyJet, TUI, Jet2 and Ryanair Priority passenger rules.

The FLYMAX super lightweight cabin suitcase is another wheelie bag that can be taken onboard as hand luggage with British Airways. Measuring 55 x 35 x 20 it is in line with the airline’s cabin bag allowance, and can also be used when flying with easyJet and Jet2.

The Aerolite 55cm hard shell suitcase is approved for British Airways as a cabin bag, as well as Ryanair Priority, Emirates, Virgin Atlantic and more. The bag measures 55x35x20cm (All Parts) and weighs 2.6kg when empty.

There is one way you can benefit from extra luggage without having to fork out an excess luggage fee. However, the option is only available for British Airways Executive Club members.

Silver members are able to enjoy a checked baggage allowance of two pieces in Economy for everyone on your booking. The only exception to this is people who are travelling on a Basic fare, as this is a hand luggage-only booking.

This benefit also applies to others travelling with the Silver member on the booking, but not on group rate bookings.

Meanwhile, Gold members and those travelling on the same booking can bring an additional checked bag up to 32kg.

You can find out more and become a British Airways Executive Club member here.

If you’re travelling on a Basic Economy fare, or are travelling on a short-haul flight with British Airways, strategically packing is one of the best ways to ensure you maximise the space you have. And if there’s anyone who knows how to pack a suitcase properly it’s flight attendants.

One anonymous cabin crew member shared her top tip to fit up to two weeks’ worth of clothes in a cabin bag.

Posting to Reddit under the username Phxflyer, an anonymous passenger shared a tip a cabin crew member had offered them.

“Definitely roll your clothes,” the Reddit user explained. “I can get between 12 to 14 days’ worth of clothes in a carry-on rolling bag if I roll, slightly less in the winter. A flight attendant told me about it and I’ve been doing it for a while now.”

Rolling is often recommended as one of the best ways to fit as much as possible into a small space. If done correctly, it can even help to keep your clothes wrinkle-free.

To properly roll your clothes, begin by laying the item flat and then fold the bottom two inches of the item inside out, to create a pocket. From the opposite end, highly roll the item until you get to the pocket you’ve created. Finally, fold one side of the pocket over the roll to secure it in place.

On their website, British Airways have shared some of their top tips to correctly pack hand luggage and keep all of your personal belongings safe:

• Make sure to pack all money, valuables and important travel documents in your handbag
• Avoid the hassle of losing your boarding pass by using the British Airways app. You can download boarding passes for up to eight people in your booking onto your mobile phone
• If you need to take medication, including liquid medication or syringes, pack it in your hand baggage too (if possible, in its original packaging). To avoid delays at airport security, also take a prescription or supporting letter from your doctor that confirms it is prescribed to you
• Follow the British Airways guidelines on carrying liquids, gels, aerosols, foods or other restricted items
• Charge any electrical or battery-powered devices such as phones, tablets, e-books and laptops. You may be required to switch these on at airport security

You can find out more hand luggage tips and information on the British Airways website.

British Airways also offer top tips for packing your checked baggage and ensuring your belongings stay safe while in transit:

• When packing your bags, the airline recommends you use a digital baggage scale to check the weight of your bags and avoid charges at the airport
• Add colourful straps of tags to ensure your bag stands out on the baggage carousel
• Check the weather forecast for your destination and make sure you pack the right clothes and shoes
• Place heavy items like shoes where they’ll be at the bottom of your bag when it’s standing upright
• Fill all the space in your bag by folding or rolling smaller items such as socks or underwear to reduce creasing
• Place your toiletries in a wash bag and seal any open bottles or tubes to avoid spilling
• Make sure you leave space for shopping or souvenirs
• The airline recommends adding a lightweight folding bag, such as a tote bag, into your luggage just in case you need more space on your return journey. Make sure you don’t go over your free checked baggage allowance

You can find out more checked luggage tips and information on the British Airways website.