British Airways Baggage Allowance Summary
Last verified: 13 June 2026 · Official policy: https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials
| Baggage type | Allowance | Details |
|---|---|---|
| International checked baggage | India ↔ London (piece concept): Economy 2 × 23 kg • Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg • Business (Club) 2 × 32 kg • First 3 × 32 kg • Economy Basic: no checked bag | Per BA's own baggage calculator for Delhi–London: standard Economy includes TWO 23 kg checked bags on the India route (more generous than BA's generic one-bag rule), Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg, Business/Club 2 × 32 kg, First 3 × 32 kg. The hand-baggage-only Economy Basic fare includes no checked bag. Checked bag max 90 × 75 × 43 cm. Executive Club Silver+ get 32 kg pieces in Economy; Gold +1 bag. |
| Cabin bag (hand luggage) | 1 cabin bag + 1 handbag/laptop bag — no published weight limit (you must lift it unassisted) | Dimensions: Cabin bag max 56 × 45 × 25 cm (including wheels/handles); handbag max 40 × 30 × 15 cm, fits under the seat. BA no longer publishes a kg limit for cabin bags — the rule is size + being able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself. |
| Excess baggage rate | Chargeable | Extra bags Delhi→London (BA's calculator, one-way): on Economy Basic the 1st/2nd 23 kg bag costs ₹10,220 online / ₹12,135 at the airport; a 3rd/4th bag ₹17,880 online / ₹21,075 airport (London→Delhi: £80 online / £95 airport). Overweight 23–32 kg: £65 / USD 100 per bag. Book extras online via Manage My Booking — after check-in only the airport rate applies. |
| Infant baggage (under 2 years) | See details | Lap infants (under 2) get one 23 kg checked bag + a cabin bag (not on Basic), and every infant/child can additionally check up to TWO of: collapsible pushchair, car/booster seat, travel cot, baby back carrier — free even on Basic. |
| Sports / special equipment | Chargeable | Sports equipment counts within your checked allowance if within size limits; extra items charged at the extra-bag rates. Bicycles: hard box/padded bag up to 190 × 95 × 65 cm, notify BA 72+ hours ahead, drop 3 hours before long-haul departure. Surfboards up to 240 cm under 23 kg within allowance. Rackets in a slim case under 80 × 45 × 10 cm can go as hand baggage. |
| USA-bound flights | Piece concept | BA is piece-concept on all long-haul including India and the USA — Economy 2 × 23 kg on India–London (verify per-route in BA's calculator; some routes are 1 × 23 kg). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is British Airways's checked baggage allowance for international flights?
India ↔ London (piece concept): Economy 2 × 23 kg • Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg • Business (Club) 2 × 32 kg • First 3 × 32 kg • Economy Basic: no checked bag. Per BA's own baggage calculator for Delhi–London: standard Economy includes TWO 23 kg checked bags on the India route (more generous than BA's generic one-bag rule), Premium Economy 2 × 23 kg, Business/Club 2 × 32 kg, First 3 × 32 kg. The hand-baggage-only Economy Basic fare includes no checked bag. Checked bag max 90 × 75 × 43 cm. Executive Club Silver+ get 32 kg pieces in Economy; Gold +1 bag. Always confirm at https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials before flying.
What is the cabin bag (hand luggage) limit for British Airways?
1 cabin bag + 1 handbag/laptop bag — no published weight limit (you must lift it unassisted). Dimensions: Cabin bag max 56 × 45 × 25 cm (including wheels/handles); handbag max 40 × 30 × 15 cm, fits under the seat. BA no longer publishes a kg limit for cabin bags — the rule is size + being able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself. Always verify your specific allowance on https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials before flying — airlines can change these limits without prior notice.
What are British Airways's excess baggage charges?
Extra bags Delhi→London (BA's calculator, one-way): on Economy Basic the 1st/2nd 23 kg bag costs ₹10,220 online / ₹12,135 at the airport; a 3rd/4th bag ₹17,880 online / ₹21,075 airport (London→Delhi: £80 online / £95 airport). Overweight 23–32 kg: £65 / USD 100 per bag. Book extras online via Manage My Booking — after check-in only the airport rate applies. Excess baggage rates change frequently — confirm the current rate on https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials. To avoid excess charges, pre-purchase additional baggage online through "Manage Booking" — it is typically 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport counter.
What is British Airways's baggage allowance for infants?
Lap infants (under 2) get one 23 kg checked bag + a cabin bag (not on Basic), and every infant/child can additionally check up to TWO of: collapsible pushchair, car/booster seat, travel cot, baby back carrier — free even on Basic. Confirm current infant baggage policy at https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials.
What about sports equipment and special items?
Sports equipment counts within your checked allowance if within size limits; extra items charged at the extra-bag rates. Bicycles: hard box/padded bag up to 190 × 95 × 65 cm, notify BA 72+ hours ahead, drop 3 hours before long-haul departure. Surfboards up to 240 cm under 23 kg within allowance. Rackets in a slim case under 80 × 45 × 10 cm can go as hand baggage.
How do I avoid excess baggage fees on British Airways?
The best way to avoid excess baggage fees on British Airways is to pre-purchase additional baggage allowance when booking on HappyFares or through the airline's "Manage Booking" portal before your flight — this is typically 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport check-in counter. Also, weigh your bags at home before the airport. If you are travelling with a group, distribute weight across all passengers while staying within each individual limit. Codeshare flights may use the operating carrier's policy, not the marketing carrier's — confirm with both airlines.
Is the baggage allowance different on USA-bound flights with British Airways?
BA is piece-concept on all long-haul including India and the USA — Economy 2 × 23 kg on India–London (verify per-route in BA's calculator; some routes are 1 × 23 kg). Verify the specific allowance on https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials for your route and class of service.
How many bags does British Airways Economy include from India to London?
British Airways standard Economy includes TWO 23 kg checked bags on India–London (per BA's own baggage calculator for Delhi–Heathrow) — more generous than BA's generic one-bag rule. Premium Economy also gets 2 × 23 kg, Business/Club 2 × 32 kg, First 3 × 32 kg. Only the hand-baggage-only Economy Basic fare includes no checked bag (adding one costs about ₹10,220 online each way). BA no longer publishes a cabin-bag weight limit — the rule is 56 × 45 × 25 cm and you must lift it unassisted.
What is the British Airways cabin (hand) baggage size limit in cm?
Cabin bag max 56 × 45 × 25 cm (including wheels/handles); handbag max 40 × 30 × 15 cm, fits under the seat. BA no longer publishes a kg limit for cabin bags — the rule is size + being able to lift it into the overhead locker yourself. The cabin baggage weight limit is 1 cabin bag + 1 handbag/laptop bag — no published weight limit (you must lift it unassisted). Size limits are checked at the gate — an oversized bag is moved to the hold and can attract a fee, so measure your trolley bag (wheels and handles included) before you fly. Confirm at https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials.
How do I add extra baggage on British Airways after booking, and how much does it cost?
You can add prepaid extra baggage any time after booking through British Airways's "Manage Booking" on https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials, or from HappyFares My Trips — buying it online is about 20–30% cheaper than paying at the airport counter. Extra bags Delhi→London (BA's calculator, one-way): on Economy Basic the 1st/2nd 23 kg bag costs ₹10,220 online / ₹12,135 at the airport; a 3rd/4th bag ₹17,880 online / ₹21,075 airport (London→Delhi: £80 online / £95 airport). Overweight 23–32 kg: £65 / USD 100 per bag. Book extras online via Manage My Booking — after check-in only the airport rate applies. Add it before the online cut-off (usually a few hours before departure); after that you pay the higher per-kg rate at check-in.
What is the maximum weight for a single checked bag on British Airways?
A single checked bag must not exceed 32 kg on British Airways — a fixed baggage-handler safety limit that applies on virtually every airline. If your free allowance is higher, split it across two or more pieces, each 32 kg or under. A bag over your free limit but under 32 kg is accepted on payment of excess; a single piece over 32 kg is refused at check-in and must travel as cargo. Confirm piece rules at https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials.
Can I carry a power bank in British Airways cabin baggage?
Yes — power banks are allowed ONLY in cabin baggage (never checked-in). Per DGCA's 11-November-2025 advisory, you may carry up to 2 power banks per passenger. Each must be ≤100 Wh for unrestricted carriage; 100-160 Wh requires airline approval; >160 Wh is banned. Store them in your seat pocket or under-seat personal item — NOT in overhead bins. In-flight use is banned, including charging from aircraft USB ports. A 20,000 mAh / 3.7V power bank equals 74 Wh, so it's permitted.
How many liquids can I carry in British Airways hand baggage?
Per BCAS rules, each liquid container must be 100ml or less, all containers combined fit in one transparent 1-litre resealable bag, and one bag per passenger. This applies to water, perfume, shampoo, gel, toothpaste, and cosmetics. Exceptions: baby food/milk in reasonable quantities; prescription medicine with prescription; duty-free liquids in a Sealed Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB) with receipt. Water bottles bought after security are allowed onboard.
Are keys allowed in hand luggage on British Airways?
Yes — house and car keys are allowed in both cabin (hand) baggage and checked baggage on British Airways and all Indian flights; they are not a restricted item. The only exception is a keychain multi-tool or keyring with a blade or sharp point longer than 6 cm, which must go in checked baggage, not the cabin.
What items are not allowed in British Airways hand (cabin) baggage?
Prohibited in cabin baggage on Indian flights (per BCAS): sharp objects with a blade or point over 6 cm (knives, scissors, box cutters), tools such as screwdrivers, hammers and wrenches, sporting bats and cue sticks, firearms and ammunition, flammable liquids and aerosols, and most lighters and matchboxes. Power banks are cabin-only (never checked-in); liquids must follow the 100 ml rule. When in doubt, pack the item in checked baggage — confirm the current list at https://www.britishairways.com/en-in/information/baggage-essentials.