British Airways checked baggage policy

Checked baggage

British Airways franchise partners, subsidaries and codeshare partners may offer baggage allowances that differ from British Airways operated services. Agent and customers are advised to check with the relevant airlines in these cases for the most up to date information.

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

UK domestic routes allowances

* Children (2-11 years) are eligible to take additionally a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat 
** Gold and Silver Executive Club members and American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum members can carry 2 bags in all cabins, on all routes. For bookings made from 01 February 2011, customers travelling on a full fare ticket in World Traveller (Y-class) have a free allowance of 2 bags.
*** The following customers are entitled to a 32kgs baggage allowance per bag at no additional charge:
 - Customers travelling to and from Brazil.
 - British Airways Gold and Silver Executive Club members, American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum.
 - First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes.

Allowances for Europe and all other international routes excluding to Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and through-checked journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada

* Children (2-11 years) are eligible to take additionally a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat 
** Gold and Silver Executive Club members and American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum members can carry 2 bags in all cabins, on all routes. For bookings made from 01 February 2011, customers travelling on a full fare ticket in World Traveller (Y-class) have a free allowance of 2 bags.
*** The following customers are entitled to a 32kg baggage allowance per bag at no additional charge:
 - Customers travelling to and from Brazil.
 - British Airways Gold and Silver Executive Club members, American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum.
 - First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes.

Allowances for Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and through-checked journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada

* Children (2-11 years) are eligible to take additionally a fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat 
** The following customers are entitled to a 32kgs baggage allowance per bag at no additional charge:
 - Customers travelling to and from Brazil.
 - British Airways Gold and Silver Executive Club members, American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum.
 - First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes.

Travelling in more than one cabin

If you are travelling in more than one cabin, e.g. outbound in economy and return in business class, you will be given the more generous allowance for the whole journey.

Overweight Bag Charge 

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 a flat fee of £40 GBP/US$60 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.
*Charge will be converted to local currency at the airport.

The following customers are entitled to a 32kg baggage allowance per bag at no additional charge:

• Customers travelling to and from Brazil.
• British Airways Gold and Silver Executive Club members, American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Iberia Plus Platinum.
  First, Club World and Club Europe customers on all routes.

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 take additional piece/pieces providing the total baggage weight does not exceed their original allowance of 23kg.
• 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.

• A Heavy Baggage Charge (HBC) will apply for baggage weighing between 23kg and 45kg.
• 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

Sporting equipment will be included as part of your free checked baggage allowance.
If the number of bags exceed your free allowance you will be charged the excess baggage rate for each extra bag.
Sporting Equipment that can be taken within the above limitations and packaged with the correct packaging / travel cases are summarised and described here.

Connecting flights

If you are travelling with an airline operating on behalf of British Airways, that airline's baggage policy will apply. Our franchises use smaller planes, which means your allowances maybe smaller.
If you have purchased a ticket which includes travel on another airline, the British Airways baggage allowance maybe more generous and you could be charged for extra baggage by the onward carrier.

If you have purchased separate tickets for each airline in your journey:

• the individual airline's baggage allowances will apply for each flight
• additional allowances offered by another airline will only be applicable to the flights of that airline

Pets

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

Baggage information for American Airlines and Iberia flights

Please visit this pages to see baggage information for Iberia (IB) and American Airlines (AA)