British Airways baggage allowance, by fare
Updated September 2026
British Airways' checked baggage allowance scales cleanly with cabin and fare — the exception is its cheapest Economy fare, which includes no checked bag at all.
Cabin bag: generous size, no published weight limit
Every fare includes one cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25 cm. Unlike most European carriers, BA doesn't publish a cabin-bag weight limit — the only real constraint is being able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself. Check a specific bag against this and 52 other airlines with our carry-on checker.
Checked bag: scales by cabin and fare
| Cabin / fare | Free checked baggage |
|---|---|
| Economy Basic | 0 — hand baggage only, checked bag is a paid add-on |
| Economy Standard | 1 × 23 kg |
| Premium Economy | 2 × 23 kg |
| Business | 2 × 32 kg |
| First | 3 × 32 kg |
"Basic" is commonly a hand-baggage-only fare — if you need a checked bag on it, price the add-on before you book rather than assuming it's included. Standard Economy's 23 kg bag can carry an overweight surcharge (commonly around £65 or local equivalent) up to 32 kg; nothing heavier is accepted.
Bottom line
Don't let the airline's full-service reputation lead you to assume a checked bag is included — check the exact fare name. See our checked luggage guide for what to look for once you know your weight budget.
Sources
- The Travel Tinker — British Airways 2026 Baggage Allowance
- British Airways' own published baggage terms — fares, weight limits and fees change, so confirm on britishairways.com before flying. Last verified: 9 September 2026.
Where to start looking on Amazon
A budget hardside pick with 4 spinner wheels — check its listed dimensions and weight against the limits above before buying.
One of the lighter carry-ons available — worth a look on the airlines above with a low cabin weight limit, since the bag's own empty weight eats into it.
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