British Airways Baggage Allowance 2026, Carry-on & Checked Bag Rules
Every British Airways passenger can bring 1 cabin bag up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm and one personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. You also get 1 free checked bag up to 23 kg each, 208 cm linear max. If your bag looks too big, staff will ask you to place it in the sizer. Pack light and measure twice.
Published on July 3, 2026 · Last verified on August 8, 2026 by Luggage Validator
7/10
British Airways Baggage Policy Strictness
Strict
Overview
Standard baggage allowance for your selected route and fare class. All dimensions include wheels and handles.
Carry-on Bag
56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in)
Overhead bin · Not specified
Personal Item
40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in)
Under seat ·Not specified
Checked Baggage
≤ 208 cm (82 in)
1 free pc · 23 kg (50 lbs)/pc
Standard Economy Allowance
Quick reference for your selected route type. See below for full cabin class comparison.
| Baggage Type | Free | Max Size | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carry-on Bag Overhead bin · per piece | 1 pc | 56×45×25cm 22×18×10in | Not specified |
| Personal Item Under seat · per piece | 1 pc | 40×30×15cm 16×12×6in | Not specified |
| Checked Baggage Cargo hold · piece system | 1 pc free | ≤ 208 cm 82 in | 23 kg 50 lbs |
Full Cabin Class Comparison
Compare allowances across all fare types and cabin classes for your selected route.
| Item | Economy Basic | Economy | Premium Economy | Business | First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal Item Under seat | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Personal Item Size L × W × H | 40×30×15cm 16×12×6in | 40×30×15cm 16×12×6in | 40×30×15cm 16×12×6in | 40×30×15cm 16×12×6in | 40×30×15cm 16×12×6in |
| Carry-on Pieces Overhead bin access | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc | 1 pc |
| Carry-on Size L × W × H | 56×45×25cm 22×18×10in | 56×45×25cm 22×18×10in | 56×45×25cm 22×18×10in | 56×45×25cm 22×18×10in | 56×45×25cm 22×18×10in |
| Carry-on Weight Per piece | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| Free Checked Bags Piece system | No | 1 pc | 2 pc | 2 pc | 3 pc |
| Checked Bag Size Max per piece | - | ≤ 208 cm 82 in | ≤ 208 cm 82 in | ≤ 208 cm 82 in | ≤ 208 cm 82 in |
| Checked Bag Weight Per piece max | - | 23 kg 50 lbs | 23 kg 50 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs | 32 kg 70 lbs |
Recent Traveller Feedback
I flew Premium Economy with my baby and had three checked bags plus a stroller and car seat as the two free baby items. My Cybex Coya travel stroller folds to cabin size, and in years of flying BA I've only been stopped once — they usually let you bring it on board. I checked the car seat and bouncer at the counter. Bring a baby carrier too, because if the stroller goes into the hold some airports return it at baggage claim instead of the jet bridge, and you'll have to carry the baby through the terminal.
Checked bags have no liquid restrictions — just leave everything in your suitcase, no clear bags needed. The 100 ml limit only applies to hand luggage. At Heathrow T5 some terminals now have new scanners where you don't need to remove liquids or electronics from your carry-on, but the 100 ml rule itself hasn't changed.
At 23.8 kg they let it through and slapped a 'heavy' sticker on it — a few people told me 23.9 kg is the real cutoff, and once it hits 24 kg you'll likely be charged. I used an automated bag drop at LHR and it wouldn't proceed at 24.4 kg until I paid or redistributed. Go to a counter with a person rather than the machine, and keep your carry-on light so you can shift heavy items into it.
BA is pretty relaxed — I've flown hundreds of times and never had my cabin bag weighed or measured. What matters more is that you have two bags total. On narrow-body short-haul flights that are more than three-quarters full, they'll often gate-check wheelie bags for free and let you keep your smaller bag under the seat. If you're in economy without status, expect the larger bag to be gate-checked more often.
Common Luggage Compatibility
Based on British Airways · Economy class. Compare luggage compatibility across all fare types and cabin classes using the filters above.
| Luggage | Personal Item | Carry-on | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
Regular Backpack | OK | OK | OK |
16" Under-seat Briefcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
18" Cabin Suitcase | Over Limit | OK | OK |
Standard 20" Carry-on | Over Limit | OK | OK |
22" North American Carry-on | Over Limit | OK | OK |
24" Medium Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
26" Mid-size Checked Suitcase | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
28" Large Checked Suitcase (IATA Standard) | Over Limit | Over Limit | OK |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many carry-on bags can I bring on British Airways, and what size are they?
British Airways includes 2 free hand baggage items on most fares: 1 cabin bag plus 1 personal item. This applies even to Economy Basic fares that do not include checked baggage.
Cabin bag: maximum size 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) including wheels, handles and side pockets. It must fit in the overhead locker.
Personal item: maximum size 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) and must fit under the seat in front of you.
British Airways does not publish a fixed cabin baggage weight limit. Passengers must be able to lift the bag into the overhead locker without assistance, and airport staff may require oversized or excessively heavy bags to be checked.
Does British Airways Economy Basic fare include a free checked bag?
No. British Airways Economy Basic fares generally include hand baggage only and do not include a free checked bag.
Passengers travelling on Economy Basic still receive the standard cabin baggage allowance: 1 cabin bag plus 1 personal item.
To include checked baggage, choose a fare that includes hold baggage or add baggage separately through British Airways before travel.
Checked baggage fees depend on the route, destination, fare type and when the bag is added.
How many checked bags does British Airways allow, and what is the weight limit?
Checked baggage allowance depends on cabin class, fare type and route.
Economy Standard fares usually include 1 checked bag up to 23kg (51lb).
Premium Economy usually includes 2 checked bags up to 23kg (51lb) each.
Business Class usually includes 2 checked bags up to 32kg (70lb) each.
First Class usually includes 3 checked bags up to 32kg (70lb) each.
Each checked bag must not exceed 90 x 75 x 43cm (35 x 30 x 17in) unless special baggage arrangements apply.
No single checked bag can exceed 32kg (70lb). Heavier items must be transported as cargo.
How much does it cost to add an extra checked bag on British Airways?
British Airways does not use one universal extra baggage price. The fee depends on your route, destination, fare type and when you pay.
Adding baggage online through Manage My Booking is usually cheaper than paying at the airport.
The exact baggage fee is shown during booking or in Manage My Booking before departure.
Extra baggage availability and prices may vary depending on the operating airline for codeshare flights.
What happens if my British Airways checked bag is overweight?
If your checked bag exceeds your permitted allowance but remains within the maximum accepted weight of 32kg (70lb), British Airways may charge an overweight baggage fee.
The overweight fee depends on your departure country, currency and route.
No individual checked bag may exceed 32kg (70lb). Bags heavier than this must be shipped separately as cargo.
Baggage allowance is normally applied per passenger, and each individual bag must stay within the permitted weight limit.
All baggage rules on this page are from the official British Airways website. Last updated August 8, 2026. Before you fly, please check the official site again to make sure nothing has changed.
Help keep this data accurate. If you spot outdated baggage rules or have recent experience flying with British Airways contribute your update