British Airways is the flag carrier of the UK, meaning it is given special privileges by the government, though it is no longer owned or operated by the state. It is a founding member of the One World Alliance. British Airways has the highest hand baggage weight allowance of all the airlines listed on our carry on luggage size chart.
Updated October 2019
British Airways hand luggage allowances
Headquarters Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/baggage-essentials/hand-baggage-allowances
Be sure to read the info here about certain electronic devices that are restricted on flights from certain countries.
Number of items allowed: 1 + personal item
Maximum allowed in imperial: (official)
- H x W x D = 22 x 18 x 10 in
- H x W x D for personal item (all flights except to/from Brazil) = 16 x 12 x 6 in
- H x W x D for personal item (Brazil flights) = 18 x 14 x 8 in
- Weight = 51 lbs per item, but you must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead compartment
Maximum allowed in metric: (official)
- H x W x D = 56 x 45 x 25 cm
- H x W x D for personal item (all flights except to/from Brazil) = 40 x 30 x 15 cm
- H x W x D for personal item (Brazil flights) = 45 x 36 x 20 cm
- Weight = 23 kg per item, but you must be able to lift your own bag into the overhead compartment
British Airways baggage info
On a Basic fare, British Airways only allows one hand bag. Passengers with Euro Traveller and World Traveller fares/economy, one checked bag at a maximum weight of 32 kgs/70 pounds per bag is allowed. For World Traveller Plus/premium economy fares, 2 bags at a maximum weight of 23 kgs/51 pounds per bag are allowed. In First class, 3 bags at a maximum weight of 32 kgs/70 pounds are allowed.
As of 2019, British Airways has updated its extra bag and overweight bag prices for basic/hand baggage only fare carriers, which vary based on destination. Be sure to check their site for more info about the fees before you leave for the airport.
There are additional baggage allowances for One World and Executive Club members, which you can find here.There are also special restrictions and information for flights to/from certain locations (including, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Japan, Saudi Arabia, India, and Brazil) depending on tickets and and child ages.
The British Airways maximum hand baggage allowance is 1 handbag or laptop bag with a maximum size of 23 kgs/51 pounds and up to 40 x 30 x 15cm/16 x 12 x 6 in. In addition, British Airways passengers can bring 1 cabin bag with a maximum size of 23 kgs/51 pounds and up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm/22 x 18 x 10in. When bringing certain items, such as bikes, passengers must notify British Airways ahead of time.
A yellow tag will be attached to hand baggage so that British Airways guarantees you can take it into the cabin. This item must fit under the seat in front of you or in an overhead locker, depending on the flight.
