Your checked baggage allowance is the total number of bags, their size and weight that go into the aircraft hold. This varies depending on the cabin you're travelling in, your frequent flyer member status and other factors.
If you already have a booking with us, the easiest way to check your allowance is in Manage My Booking. Otherwise, you can find more information in the tables below.
A checked bag can be up to 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16in), including any bits that stick out, like the handle, pockets and wheels.
The weight limit applies to each bag. It's not possible to split the total weight across multiple bags.
If you are travelling on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare, checking in baggage costs extra. However, if you're travelling with children up to 11 years you can check in one fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and one car seat for free.
You can pay and check in bags at any time before you fly, but you’ll get the best rate if you pay online in advance.
More about paying to take checked bags
Flights to/from Brazil | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 32kg / 70lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Flights between London and Doha |
|
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 1 bag (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
1 bag (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Flights to/from Ghana, Kenya, Japan (booked from 1 July 2016), Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone Connecting between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada, or connecting from Saudi Arabia to USA/Bermuda/Canada |
|
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 2 bags (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
2 bags (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
All other flights | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) |
Children and infants (up to 11) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Extra allowances for some Executive Club/oneworld members |
Flights to/from Brazil | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 32kg / 70lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
All other flights | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 2 bags (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
2 bags (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Extra allowances for some Executive Club/oneworld members |
Club Europe, Club World, Club World London City and Biz Bed | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
First | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 3 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
3 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Extra allowances for some Executive Club/oneworld members |
The extra allowances apply:
Tier | Extra allowance |
Executive Club Gold/oneworld Emerald |
One additional free checked bag
A weight allowance of 32kg (70lb) per checked bag |
Executive Club Silver/oneworld Sapphire |
One additional free checked bag but max. two bags per person (excl. hand baggage only (Basic) fares)
A weight allowance of 32kg (70lb) per checked bag |
If your journey includes flights in more than one travel class, the more generous allowance will apply to your whole journey (unless the flights are on separate bookings - then each travel class's allowance will apply to the individual flight). For example:
If you're connecting at an airport that requires you to clear your baggage at the first point of entry and you are connecting to a domestic flight in that country, please follow the signs for 'Arrivals/Baggage reclaim' to collect your bags and check it in again as normal for your connecting flight.
If you have booked all your flights under one booking with the same ticket number, you only need to check in your bags once when you start your journey then collect them at your final destination.
If you have booked two separate flights to reach your final destination, for example Edinburgh to London followed by London to New York, you will need to:
Find out more about flight connections
If you have a small, fully collapsible and lightweight pushchair/stroller (with maximum dimensions of 117cm x 38cm x 38cm/46in x 15in x 15in when the pushchair is collapsed), you will qualify to take this right to the aircraft door and collect at the aircraft door at most airports.
Please arrive at your departure gate no later than 40 minutes before departure time, and prepare to pre-board the aircraft.
The staff will put your pushchair into the hold and will do all possible to return it to you at the aircraft door.
All other, larger pushchairs, including double and multi-piece pushchairs can be taken to the departure gate, however, on arrival you must pick up these larger pushchairs at the baggage carousel in the baggage hall.
Number of wheelchairs/mobility aids | |
To/from USA | You can take an unlimited number of wheelchairs/mobility aids in addition to your free baggage allowance, as long as it’s for your personal use. |
All other countries |
You can take up to two wheelchairs/mobility aids in addition to your free baggage allowance. |
Wheelchair/mobility aid dimensions (length x width x height) | |
British Airways long haul aircraft | max. 140 x 85 x 152cm (55.1 x 33.5 x 59.8in) |
British Airways short haul aircraft |
max. 140 x 85 x 106cm (55.1 x 33.5 x 41.7in) |
BA CityFlyer | max. 74 x 94 x 73cm (29.6 x 37.6 x 29.2in) |
If your wheelchair or mobility aid weighs over 250kg (551lb), please contact us so we can establish if we're able to carry it. There are no overweight charges for personal wheelchairs or mobility aids.
We can accommodate most types of battery-powered wheelchairs. To help us prepare, please provide us with advance notification and follow some safety guidance before you travel.
More about disability and mobility assistance
There are no weight limits or overweight charges for travelling with medical equipment but please check our medical information for specific advice.
There are a number of rules and restrictions about what you can and cannot carry in your baggage.
If your journey includes a flight with an airline other than British Airways, your checked baggage allowance may be different:
Our franchise partner Comair is an independent airline that uses British Airways branding and flight codes across its network. It operates across southern Africa (flight numbers BA6200-6449).
The weight limit applies to each bag. It's not possible to split the total weight across multiple bags.
Flights within South Africa
Economy flights | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) |
Children and infants (up to 11) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Business flights | |
Adults and young adults (from 12 years) | 2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) |
Children (2-11) |
2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Infants (under 2) |
1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat |
Flights from South Africa to and from Victoria Falls, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Windhoek and Mauritius
2 bags (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat 1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat 2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat 1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb) plus 1 fully collapsible pushchair (stroller) and 1 car seat
Economy flights
Adults and young adults (from 12 years)
2 bags (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag)
Children (2-11)
Infants (under 2)
Business flights
Adults and young adults (from 12 years)
2 bags (max. 32kg / 70lb per bag)
Children (2-11)
Infants (under 2)
Our franchise partner SUN-AIR of Scandinavia is an independent airline that uses British Airways branding and flight codes across its network. It operates flights across northern Europe (flight numbers BA8200-8299).
You can take one checked bag up to 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16in) and weighing max. 23kg.
If you're an Executive Club Member you can have one 20kg bag included in your reward flight costs when you're travelling with our partner Flybe.
Unfortunately, due to different systems being used we're currently not able to display your baggage allowance when you make or view your booking on ba.com or via our contact centres.
Check your hand baggage allowance on American Airlines, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways.
For other airlines, please refer to their websites or contact them directly.
Find out which airline you are flying with in Manage My Booking