The short answer
- Personal item: free, up to 16 × 12 × 6 in (40 × 30 × 15 cm).
- Carry-on: free on standard fares, up to 22 × 18 × 10 in (56 × 45 × 25 cm).
- Checked bag: first bag Included, except on Economy Basic; up to 50 lb (23 kg) and 82 linear inches.
- BA Economy Basic: Hand-baggage-only Economy Basic fares still include a cabin bag and a handbag or backpack; only checked bags are excluded.
British Airways bag fees at a glance
| Bag | Price | Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Personal item | Free | 16 × 12 × 6 in |
| Carry-on bag | Free | 22 × 18 × 10 in |
| 1st checked bag | Included, except on Economy Basic | Up to 50 lb / 23 kg |
| 2nd checked bag | Varies by route | Up to 82 linear in |
| Overweight bag | Bags 23–32 kg: £65 / €75 / $100 each way. No bag over 32 kg. | |
| Oversize bag | Standard max 90 × 75 × 43 cm (35 × 30 × 17 in) per side; larger items up to 190 cm go as out-of-gauge. |
Standard fees for British Airways’s main routes as of our last check. Elite status, co-branded cards and some fares include bags.
British Airways carry-on and personal item size
Carry-on bag
Overhead bin
- Maximum size
- 22 × 18 × 10 in56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Weight
- No published limit
- Cost
- Free with standard economy
- Note
- One of the largest cabin bag allowances of any airline. No published weight limit; you must be able to lift it into the bin unaided.
Personal item
Under the seat in front
- Maximum size
- 16 × 12 × 6 in40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Weight
- No published limit
- Cost
- Free on every fare
Checked bags
Each checked bag can weigh up to 50 lb (23 kg) and measure up to 82 linear inches (208 cm), length + width + height. British Airways sets per-side limits (90 × 75 × 43 cm) rather than a single linear total.
Rules to know
- The cabin bag can be up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm, so a US 22 × 14 × 9 in bag fits easily.
- On busy flights the cabin bag may be sent to the hold; the under-seat handbag is guaranteed in the cabin.
- British Airways Club Gold and Silver and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members get two 32 kg bags in Economy.
- Adding bags online in Manage My Booking is cheaper than at the airport.
- BA no longer publishes a cabin bag weight limit (it used to be 23 kg); you must be able to lift the bag into the bin unaided.
Will your bag fit British Airways?
Measure your bag at its widest points. Most carry-on bags are 21–22.5 in tall with wheels.
Bags that fit British Airways
- Best 22x14x9 Carry-On Luggage (Fits Every US Airline)A 22 × 14 × 9 in bag fits British Airways’s carry-on limit.
- Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks35–45 L travel backpacks built to the carry-on limit.
- Best Personal Item Bags & Backpacks for PlanesSmaller backpacks for British Airways’s personal item limit.
- Best Underseat LuggageSmall wheeled bags that go under the seat.
British Airways compared with similar airlines
| Airline | Carry-on | Personal item | 1st checked bag | Checked weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 22 × 18 × 10 in56 × 45 × 25 cm | 16 × 12 × 6 in40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included, except on Economy Basic | 50 lb23 kg |
| Air Canada | 21.5 × 15.5 × 9 in55 × 40 × 23 cm | 17 × 13 × 6 in43 × 33 × 16 cm | $45 (Basic & Standard) | 50 lb23 kg |
| Lufthansa | 21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in55 × 40 × 23 cm | 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in40 × 30 × 15 cm | €35–€50 in Europe; €80 / $90 to the US | 50.7 lb23 kg |
| Air France | 21.7 × 13.8 × 9.9 in55 × 35 × 25 cm | 16 × 12 × 6 in40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included on Standard; paid on Light & Basic | 50 lb23 kg |
Frequently asked questions
What is British Airways’s carry-on size?
22 × 18 × 10 in (56 × 45 × 25 cm) including wheels and handles. It is free on standard fares.
How much is a checked bag on British Airways?
First bag: Included, except on Economy Basic. Second bag: Varies by route.
What is the weight limit for checked bags on British Airways?
50 lb (23 kg) in economy. Bags 23–32 kg: £65 / €75 / $100 each way. No bag over 32 kg.