- Mr Plane Guy
- 3 hours ago
- 6 min read
British Airways Baggage Allowance: Everything You Need to Know (2026)
By Mr Plane Guy – Travel Blogger, Flight & Travel Expert
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and buy, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps cover my own excess baggage habits, thank you for the support.
Flying with British Airways in 2026? Good news: BA’s baggage allowance is still one of the most generous among full-service airlines especially in economy.
But there are still catches, particularly with:
weight limits
basic fares
long-haul vs short-haul
and expensive extra baggage fees
New to Avios or want a proper refresher? Start with The Plane Guide to Avios: How Avios Actually Work before diving into baggage rules.
This guide explains:
British Airways cabin bag size rules
hand baggage allowance
checked baggage by cabin
BA baggage fees
how strict BA actually is at the airport
…and how to avoid paying more than you need to.
Quick Answer: British Airways Baggage Allowance (2026)
British Airways (BA) allows two cabin bags free on all tickets:
1 cabin bag up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm
1 personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm
Most economy fares include one 23kg checked bag, with more included in premium cabins. Weight limits are enforced more than size.
Luxury Luggage for Less
Your suitcase says a lot about your travel style.
My personal rotation:
Rimowa Cabin Plus sleek, durable, designer
Briggs & Riley Baseline expandable genius for long hauls
But here’s my affordable dupe:
👉 This Amazon Premium Cabin Case, looks high-end, fits British Airways cabin dimensions, and costs a fraction of designer brands, without sacrificing space.
British Airways Cabin Bag Allowance (Free on All Tickets)
Every BA passenger gets two cabin bags included, even on the cheapest economy fares.
Bag type | Size | Included | Where it goes |
Cabin bag | 56 × 45 × 25 cm | ✅ Free | Overhead locker |
Personal item | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | ✅ Free | Under the seat |
Weight limit:
Up to 23kg per cabin bag
You must lift it into the overhead locker unaided
This is far more generous than low-cost airlines, but BA does check weight occasionally.
Flying BA from London Heathrow? The Best Lounges at Heathrow – Ranked from Champagne to Chaos and great news here Plane News: Heathrow Airport Ends Liquids Removal, Yes Really
Recommended Trolley Bags
Size: 55 x 40 x 23 cm (including handles and wheels). This fits BA Cabin bag dimensions
How Strict Is British Airways on Cabin Bag Size?
Moderately strict, but weight matters more than size.
From experience:
Size checks are rare
Weight checks do happen, especially at Heathrow
Overpacked hard-shell cases attract attention
BA staff are less aggressive than easyJet or Ryanair, but if your bag looks heavy, expect questions.
Plane Honest verdict: You’ll rarely be stopped for size, but don’t push the weight limit.
Can I Take a Handbag as Well as a Cabin Bag on British Airways?
✅ Yes, always.
Unlike low-cost airlines, BA allows:
1 full-size cabin bag
1 handbag / backpack / laptop bag
No upgrades needed.
Best Cabin Bags That Fit British Airways (Tested)
Because BA allows heavier bags, lightweight luggage matters.
My go-to cabin options
👉 Cabin Max Anode 40L Cabin Suitcase (55 × 40 × 20 cm)
Perfect fit for BA’s overhead allowance
Lightweight, so you don’t waste weight on the case itself
Also works for easyJet paid cabin bags & Ryanair Priority
Ideal as a personal item
Comfortable, flexible, and fits under the seat
Great for city breaks and short-haul flights
British Airways Checked Baggage Allowance (Economy & Beyond)
Economy (World Traveller / Euro Traveller)
1 × 23kg checked bag included
Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus)
2 × 23kg checked bags
Business Class (Club Europe / Club World)
2 × 32kg checked bags
First Class
3 × 32kg checked bags
Maximum weight per bag:
Economy & Premium: 23kg
Business & First: 32kg
Plane Tip:
The Cabin Max Anode comes in black, Endless Sea (teal), and Bodo Green each perfectly within TUI’s 55×40×20 cm cabin bag size and 20–25 kg hold luggage limits. No side-eye from check-in staff, no measuring drama, and they still look smart rolling through Gatwick.
They easily Meet BA’s 55×40×20 cm cabin bag size and 20–25 kg hold luggage limits.
Grab your Cabin Max Anode Luggage Set now, sized perfectly for every BA flight.
or grab it on Amazon here.
British Airways Extra Baggage Fees (What It Really Costs)
Extra bags with BA are not cheap.
Typical costs:
£65–£90 per additional bag (one-way)
More expensive at the airport
Cheaper when added online in advance
Plane Tip: If you’re close to the limit, upgrading cabin or fare can be cheaper than paying for extra luggage.
British Airways Baggage Allowance, International Economy
This is where BA shines compared to many competitors.
On most long-haul routes:
1 × 23kg checked bag included
2 cabin bags still included
No “basic fare” trap like some airlines
Always double-check if you booked:
Hand-baggage-only fares via third-party sites
British Airways Cabin Bag Weight Limits
Cabin bag: 23kg
Personal item: 23kg
Yes, really, but you must lift them yourself.
If you struggle to lift your bag into the overhead locker, staff may intervene.
Packing Tips for British Airways Flights
Use lightweight luggage, don’t waste kilos on the case
Spread weight between two cabin bags
Wear heavier items (jackets, boots)
Compression cubes help avoid bulging bags
I always use an AirTag in checked luggage, worth it
FAQs: British Airways Baggage Allowance
• Can you take two cabin bags on British Airways?
Yes. All BA tickets include one cabin bag and one personal item.
• Does BA weigh cabin bags?
Sometimes. Weight matters more than size, especially at Heathrow.
• What is the BA cabin bag size?
56 × 45 × 25 cm for the main cabin bag.
Premium Backpacks for BA Flights
A structured travel backpack. Case Luggage’s range of premium backpacks (Samsonite, TUMI, Victorinox) are ideal for BA, organised, comfortable, and compliant with cabin bag rules.
Plane Tip: Don’t forget the little comforts. I never board without my noise-cancelling earbuds and travel adapter with USB-C ports both from Amazon, both worth every penny on long-haul flights. You should also get a airplane bluetooth adaptor
Final Boarding Call
British Airways’ baggage allowance is still one of the most generous in the sky — especially in economy.
If you:
pack smart
choose the right bag
respect weight limits
…you’ll avoid fees and breeze through boarding.
More Plane Reads
Check out lots of Airport Lounge Reviews
Read my Flight Reviews
Why are so many British Airways flights being delayed and cancelled?
How I went from zero Avios to a Qatar Airways Business Class upgrade in 3 months
Find cheap flights fast, without endless searching
Priority Pass Review 2026
Compare UK Airport Parking Prices
Hello, I’m Paul a professional jet-setter and all-around plane travel pro. After 15 years working in and around planes, I became a flight delay expert at a London airport and mastered plane travel hacks, a PLANE flight expert with BIG travel plans but small carry-on.
Now, I share PLANE travel news, tips, reviews, and deals with honesty, humour, and zero baggage! Thanks for reading British Airways Baggage Allowance: Everything You Need to Know (2026).
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