When you have more desires for the trip, you often pack more bags, but do you know how many bags you can check in and bring on board while flying with British Airways? Needless to say, exceeding the standard British Airways baggage limit can result in a surprising expenditure, which is not a good thing to unfold before you start your voyage.
So if you want to keep your trip’s budget within your reach, British Airways baggage allowance holds so much significance for you. So keep British Airways international baggage allowance in your strict consideration while planning a trip.
To steer clear of the unexpected British Airways baggage charges at the airport, we have crafted this guide on baggage allowance with British Airways. Let’s start learning what you get and expect from baggage on British Airways.
What Is British Airways Baggage Policy?
The baggage policy of British Airways applies to checked bags, handbags, and carry-on bags. The British Airways baggage rules for allowance depend on the type of fare purchased by the passenger.
Therefore, it is necessary to check the fare-based British Airways baggage allowance rules before packing bags to avoid extra charges by keeping your luggage within the limits. Before you jump to the next section to learn the baggage allowance, we want to make you aware of the British Airways baggage restrictions and rules.
- British Airways international baggage policy allows more baggage compared to the domestic baggage policy of British Airways, so that passengers can travel prepared and conveniently on the long-haul routes.
- Passengers who travel on connecting partner flights get the baggage allowance of the airline operating the longest flight.
- British Airways military baggage allowance is free for officials of the armed forces while traveling on duty or for leisure, provided that required documents are required. While traveling on orders, military personnel can check in up to 5 bags and if traveling for personal reasons, their complimentary baggage allowance will be decided on the basis of their fare.
- Unfortunate passengers who deal with British Airways missing baggage or delayed baggage don’t need to panic, as they can use British Airways baggage tracking to find and locate their baggage or may receive British Airways delayed baggage compensation. However, if British Airways baggage is delayed for 21 days, it can be considered as British Airways missing baggage that is eligible for British Airways baggage claim.
- British Airways does not allow passengers to carry items that are hazardous or can cause harm, like batteries and flammable items.
- Special items like large sporting equipment can be included in the baggage, but only with advance notice or permission.
- Restricted items like cutters, flammable items, batteries, etc, in the baggage won’t be allowed by British Airways. So make sure none of the restricted items is mistakenly packed in your luggage which may cause inconvenience to you on the day of flight.
See this also: Your Complete Guide to British Airways Seat Selection
What Baggage Is Included With British Airways?
Actually, the journey starts from the point when you pack your luggage for the trip. It does not matter whether you are going on a short trip or a long-haul flight, British Airways gives you a generous baggage allowance that includes checked baggage and hand baggage.
Wondering what is hand baggage on British Airways? You can carry it into the cabin like a carry-on bag and any personal item, while checked baggage is stowed in the aircraft’s cargo area. Where British Airways hand baggage allowance remains the same for all passengers, British Airways checked baggage allowance depends on the passenger’s fare type.
Therefore, you need to purchase the fare type according to your baggage requirements. Here you can check which British Airways fares’ baggage allowance matches your needs.
British Airways Hold Baggage Allowance
British Airways checked baggage allowance can also be referred to as hold baggage allowance, which is decided on the basis of your class of travel because economy passengers get the least allowance, while premium cabin passengers get plenty of bags to check in at the airport. Here is the fare-based allowance of checked bags on British Airways.
- Economy Basic: Basic Economy is the cheapest fare of British Airways. So is the most restricted one as well. Therefore, you won’t get a free checked bag with this fare.
- Economy: British Airways economy fare is slightly flexible than basic fare, thus it offers passengers to check in one bag up to 23 kg.
- Premium Economy: The premium economy fare of British Airways gives an enhanced experience of traveling. Thus its checked baggage allowance is of two bags each up to 23 kg.
- Business Class and First Class: On British Airways, the First Class baggage allowance is the same as the business class allowance, which is two bags each up to 32 kg.
|
British Airways Fare Types |
Checked Baggage Allowance |
|
Economy Basic |
No checked baggage |
|
Economy |
Only 1 Piece up to 23 kg |
|
Premium Economy |
2 Pieces up to 23 kg each |
|
British Airways Business Class baggage allowance |
2 Pieces up to 32 kg each |
|
First |
3 Pieces up to 32 kg each |
British Airways Hand Baggage Allowance
The British Airways hand baggage allowance allows you to bring one carry-on bag and a personal item. Notably, the hand baggage allowance is offered to all passengers on British Airways regardless of their fare type or class of travel. Although the British Airways carry on baggage limit applies, it is a very important aspect of baggage allowance for British Airways’ passengers.
So check the carry-on baggage size for British Airways and make sure your cabin bag and personal items do not exceed the British Airways baggage size limits. Here are the British Airways hand baggage rules:
- Cabin Bag: The one bag that you are allowed to take inside the cabin should not have dimensions beyond 22 x 18 x 10 inches or 56 x 45 x 25 cm including its handle, tyres, zip, and pockets as it can also be a suitcase.
- Personal Item: A personal item like a laptop and purse is also included in the British Airways hand baggage allowance, which has the dimension limits of 45 x 36 x 20 cm, or it fits easily under the front seat.
- The British Airways carry on baggage weight has the limit of 23 kg which means the combined weight of both personal item and cabin bag, should not exceed this limit.
- If you carry a liquid item in your hand baggage, it must be packed in a container of 100 ml or placed in a translucent sealable bag of one litre.
Learn more: Easy Ways to Use British Airways Flight Change Policy
How Much Is Checked Baggage On British Airways?
Understanding British Airways baggage fees is very important because you will be fined for exceeding the limits set by the airline for checked baggage. Since passengers are allotted a specific free baggage allowance by British Airways based on their fare class, ticket type, and route, but it does not pardon if a passenger either brings excess baggage, overweight baggage, or oversized baggage. Whether bringing extra baggage is a necessity or a misstep, knowing the British Airways baggage cost will only empower you.
How Much British Airways Charge For Extra Baggage?
Carrying extra pieces of checked bags beyond your fare class allowance can also pull you into the realm of British Airways extra baggage cost, where the British Airways baggage price varies with the fare type and the quantity of excess baggage. Here you can check the British Airways baggage price for adding extra checked bags.
|
Fare Type |
Charges For First Extra Checked Bag |
Charges For Each Extra Checked Bag After First Bag |
|
World Traveller Plus |
$119 |
$119 |
|
World Traveller |
$51 |
$119 |
|
Euro Traveller UK Domestic |
$51 |
$51 |
|
First Club World |
$119 |
$119 |
|
World Traveller Y Class (Full Fare Economy) |
$119 |
$119 |
|
Club Europe |
$51 |
$51 |
How Much British Airways Charge For Overweight Baggage?
You may also need to push your travel budget if you add an overweight checked bag to your booking because British Airways can levy a fee of $100 for each overweight bag, either crossing the limit of 23 kg or 32 kg. It is worth noting that if an overweight baggage is heavier than 32 kg, it won’t be checked at the airport and may be placed as cargo.
|
Route |
Overweight Baggage |
Cost |
|
United States |
23 – 32 kg |
$100 |
|
All other locations |
23 – 32 kg |
$100 |
|
Any location |
Over 32 kg |
Not allowed |
How Much British Airways Charge For Oversized Baggage?
Packing oversized baggage can also be the reason for your increased total spend for the trip because British Airways does not accept bags that cross the standard British Airways check in baggage dimensions up to 190 x 75 x 65 cm without a cost of $100 per bag. Furthermore, if the oversized bag is not within the dimensions of 190 x 75 x 65 cm, British Airways does not accept it at any cost.
|
Baggage Type |
Dimensions |
Cost per bag |
|
Oversized but within allowed limit |
Up to 190 x 75 x 65 cm |
$100 |
|
Exceeds allowed oversized dimensions |
Over 190 x 75 x 65 cm |
Not accepted |
Read more: Know All About British Airways Cancellation Policy for Refunds
How To Buy Extra Baggage On British Airways?
Buying extra baggage on British Airways is not a big deal, but what matters the most is whether you want to save your time and money or not. It is because purchasing extra baggage allowance on British Airways through its official website costs more than buying extra baggage allowance via a travel agency like AwareTravels, which gives a better price and deals.
However, choosing any of the methods is entirely up to you. Here are the steps to add or buy extra baggage on British Airways for both methods.
Through the Travel Agency
- Dial the toll-free helpline number +1 (800) 419-9920 of AwareTravels.
- Once you get connected with an agent, ask them to add extra baggage to your reservation.
- Provide the reservation code and other required details.
- Pay the quoted British Airways baggage fee and travel hassle-free.
Through British Airways’ Website
- Open the official website of British Airways.
- Log in to your account and head to the Manage My Booking page.
- Select your reservation for which you need to add bags.
- Click on Add Extra Bags.
- Make a payment online to add extra baggage. However, you can also pay at the airport, but the baggage fee will be higher.
How To Check Baggage Allowance On British Airways?
Wanderlust about your trip, but also confused about your baggage allowance on British Airways? It happens very often with passengers, and you are not an exception. Since British Airways has a very sophisticated baggage allowance policy, many passengers may find it complex to understand what their baggage allowance is.
For those passengers, British Airways included a baggage allowance calculator. Through the baggage allowance calculator of British Airways, you can easily check how many bags of which weight and size are included in your allowance with British Airways. To use the British Airways baggage allowance calculator, you need to keep your reservation details ready and follow these simple steps:
- Visit the official website of British Airways.
- Look at the footer of the website and tap on the Help and Contacts page link.
- On the help page, you will see the “Got A Question? Read our FAQs” option. Click on it.
- Choose the Baggage option and further see many baggage-related questions.
- By clicking on the first baggage question, the British Airways baggage calculator will open.
- You will need to enter details like departure, destination, class of travel, and date in the calculator.
- Click the Calculate Baggage Allowance button and see the result.
Conclusion
British Airways baggage allowance policy is less a list of rules and more a navigation to a stress-free and convenient trip. Modern travel planning seems incomplete without the consideration of British Airways international baggage allowance, whether you are traveling for business purposes or leisure.
Since there is a line drawn for carry-on and checked baggage dimensions, weight limit, and pieces for British Airways, you can save your money and valuable time as well by packing smartly after understanding the British Airways baggage rules.
If you still feel stuck in the hassle of British Airways baggage allowance, feel free to get assistance from AwareTravels’ agents available only on call at +1 (800) 419-9920.
You may also be interested in:
1. What is Emirates Airlines Baggage Allowance?
2. Know JetBlue Airlines Baggage Allowance, Weight and Price
3. Easy Guide to Hawaiian Airlines Baggage Allowance
4. Easy Guide to American Airlines Baggage Allowance
FAQ’s
Can you check in baggage with British Airways basic economy?
No, if you buy a basic economy fare on British Airways, you won’t be able to check in baggage for free, as this fare does not include checked baggage in the allowance.
Can I add checked baggage after booking on British Airways?
Of course, checked baggage can be added on British Airways even after booking. To add checked baggage after booking, you have to access Manage My Booking on the airline’s website.
Can I buy extra baggage on British Airways?
Yes, you can buy extra baggage on British Airways and add up to 10 extra bags per passenger through Manage My Booking on British Airways’s website.
Can I carry chocolates in cabin baggage on British Airways?
Yes, carrying chocolates in cabin baggage on British Airways is not an issue as long as it is in solid form and packed in the original sealed packaging, while chocolate in liquid form is restricted to 100 ml liquid limitations, like Nutella and sauces.
Can I claim compensation for delayed baggage on British Airways?
Yes, if your baggage is delayed or missing, you will be entitled to the British Airways delayed baggage compensation.
Can I put laptop in checked baggage on British Airways?
Yes, laptops are allowed to be added to checked baggage on British Airways, given that they are switched off so they don’t activate unintentionally, and their batteries are removed. However, it is better to keep laptops and their batteries in hand baggage.
Can I track my baggage on British Airways?
Yes, the British Airways baggage tracking system on the Feedback and Claims Portal allows you to track your baggage through your 8-digit booking reference number.
Do British Airways charge for baggage?
Yes, British Airways charges a fee for each extra baggage added to the reservation after crossing the baggage allowance included with the fare.
Do British Airways flights include baggage?
Yes, British Airways offers a baggage allowance of carry-on and checked bags, depending on the fare and class of travel of the passenger. The Basic Economy fare offers only carry-on baggage but does not include checked baggage.
Do you get a free checked baggage with British Airways?
Free checked baggage is offered with higher fares, like Premium Economy and Business Class, with British Airways. So, it depends on your fare type whether you will get free checked baggage with British Airways.
Do you have to pay for baggage on British Airways?
Passengers incur a baggage fee on British Airways when their checked baggage exceeds their allowance. So, whether you have to pay for baggage depends on how many bags you check in.
Does British Airways charge for baggage on international flights?
Yes, British Airways charges for baggage on international flights if free checked baggage is not included in the fare or if checked baggage exceeds the baggage allowance.
Does British Airways transfer baggage to connecting flights?
British Airways has different baggage allowances for different fares and classes of travel. Yes, passengers can travel hassle-free even on connecting flights as British Airways transfers baggage to connecting flights that are booked on a single ticket.
How many baggage allowed in British Airways?
Basic Economy does not have a checked baggage allowance, while the Premium Economy fare has an allowance of one checked bag, and Business Class and First Class both have an allowance of two checked bags.
How much do British Airways pay for lost baggage?
Since British Airways' lost baggage compensation is not decided by the bag’s weight or items, but by international convention limits, you can expect liability up to $1950 for lost baggage.
How much is 23 kg extra baggage in British Airways?
Since the fee for extra checked baggage depends on the fare type, route, and time, you can expect a fee for a 23 kg piece of extra baggage between $25 and $100.
How strict is British Airways with baggage allowance?
For safety and efficiency, British Airways has upheld a strict policy regarding baggage allowances, particularly regarding weight, size, and number of bags.
How to add extra baggage on British Airways?
On British Airways, the extra baggage can be added through the Manage My Booking section on the official website. A passenger can add up to 10 extra checked bags by paying online or at the airport.
How to track baggage on British Airways?
British Airways provides a number after reporting a delayed baggage at the airport or online, which you can use to get case updates on the airline’s app or Feedback and Claims Portal.
