British Airways Baggage Allowance, Fees & How to Add Extra Baggage

BA / BAW · United Kingdom

Add extra checked bags via Manage My Booking before check-in for the best price. Use the official links below to review baggage rules, booking access, and related airline services.

Updated Aug 28, 2026

British Airways Baggage Allowance

Free checked and carry-on baggage allowances by cabin class and route. Allowances vary by route, ticket type, and frequent flyer status — always confirm with the official baggage policy before you fly.

Checked baggage

No checked baggage on Basic (hand baggage only) fares; 1 × 23 kg on standard Economy fares with checked bag.

LabelAmountNotes
Economy Basic (hand baggage only) — All routesNo checked baggage
  • Official page heading under this fare: 'No checked baggage'.
  • Hand bag + cabin bag still permitted (see carry-on).
Economy (with checked bag) — All routes1 × 23 kg
  • Max dimensions up to 90 x 75 x 43 cm (35 x 30 x 17 in) per checked bag.
  • Weight up to 23 kg (50 lb) per bag; no checked bag may exceed 32 kg. Bags 23–32 kg over allowance incur heavy bag charge (handled as fee, not part of free allowance).
  • British Airways Club / oneworld / AerClub members and companions on same booking: Gold, Emerald or Platinum travelling in Economy — 2 bags checked; Silver, Sapphire or Concierge — 2 bags checked; Blue/Bronze — 1 bag checked. Member bags up to 32 kg (70 lb) per bag (excludes group bookings and infants without seat).
  • Infants under 24 months without a seat (any cabin) include 1 × 23 kg checked bag into the hold; no extra bag can be purchased for an infant without a seat, and no checked baggage on Basic fares for infant either.

Carry-on baggage

All cabins

Same hand bag + cabin bag allowance in every cabin (Economy Basic, Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First).

  • All routes1 hand bag (40 × 30 × 15 cm) + 1 cabin bag (56 × 45 × 25 cm)
    • Hand bag: 1 hand bag, max dimensions 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in), must easily fit under the seat in front of you, guaranteed in the cabin; may contain essentials like medication, mobile phones, electronics and passports.
    • Cabin bag: 1 cabin bag, max dimensions 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) including wheels and handles, must be liftable into overhead compartment unassisted; no valuables, electronics or essential medicines should be in the cabin bag zone that may be gate-checked; may need to go in the hold if overhead space is limited.
    • No cabin baggage weight limit is published on the Baggage essentials allowance accordions; only dimensions are stated as limits, so weight is not included in amount.
    • Accessibility: customers whose accessibility needs prevent lifting may bring a cabin bag that an able-bodied adult would reasonably be able to lift.
    • Wheelchairs, mobility aids and related equipment free within size limits.
    • Family travel: each infant/child may take up to 2 essential extras (fully collapsible pushchair/stroller, car/booster seat, travel cot, baby back carrier) checked into hold even on hand baggage only fares; infants with a seat have same free allowance as adults.

How to Add Extra Baggage & Prices on British Airways

Buy Baggage
  1. Open British Airways Manage My Booking / Find my booking.
  2. Enter your 6-character booking reference and the passenger last name exactly as shown on the booking.
  3. Open the booking and choose the extra baggage option shown for the itinerary.
  4. Select the extra checked bags you want to add.
  5. Complete payment for the selected bags.
  6. Save the updated booking confirmation before check-in.

Prices

British Airways prices extra checked bags by destination and by how many extra bags you add.

  • By route and bag countSee official pricing
    • Price depends on destination and how many additional bags you add.
    • Check Manage My Booking for the live amount for the itinerary.
    • Discounted online pricing is available before check-in; after check-in, extra bags are charged at the airport rate.

FAQ

Can I buy extra baggage online after booking?

Yes. British Airways lets passengers add extra checked bags in Manage My Booking before check-in, and the airline advises buying online for the best price.

Where do I buy extra baggage?

Buy it in British Airways Manage My Booking / Find my booking after retrieving the reservation with the booking reference and passenger last name.

When should I buy extra baggage?

Buy before check-in if possible. After check-in, extra bags can only be added and paid for at the airport.

How many extra bags can I buy, and what are the bag limits?

British Airways allows up to 10 extra bags per passenger for personal-use items. No checked bag may weigh more than 32kg.

How does British Airways calculate extra baggage charges?

The extra checked bag price depends on destination and on how many additional bags are added. The live amount is shown in Manage My Booking for the itinerary.

What are the overweight and oversized baggage rules?

Bags between 23kg and 32kg can incur the heavy bag charge. Oversized checked bags may be accepted up to 190 x 75 x 65 cm, and British Airways asks passengers to notify the airline at booking or at least 48 hours before departure for oversized bags.

How can I pay for extra baggage?

Eligible bookings can be paid online with a card, Avios, or a combination of both. After check-in, Avios cannot be used for airport extra bag purchases.

Do partner-airline or codeshare flights have different baggage rules?

Yes. British Airways notes that partner-airline or codeshare itineraries can have different checked-bag allowances and servicing rules, so those flights should be checked carefully.

Related airlines

Explore more airline baggage pages to compare rules, fees, and official service links.