British Airways Baggage, Check-In + Boarding Guide

British Airways baggage

• Cabin (all classes): 23kg main bag 56x45x25cm + 1 small item 40x30x15cm 23kg.
• Checked Hand Baggage Only fare (Basic): no checked. Cabin only.
• Checked (Economy Plus, Standard): 1×23kg INCLUDED.
• Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus): 1×23kg cabin + 2×23kg checked.
• Club World/Business: 1×23kg cabin + 2×32kg checked.
• First: 1×23kg cabin + 3×32kg checked.
• Sports equipment: ski £40, bike £40-65, golf £40-60.
• Children (2-11): same as adults.
• Infants: 1 small item + stroller free.
• Oneworld Emerald: +1 checked bag (3 total).
• Oneworld Sapphire: +1 checked bag.

British Airways check-in

• Online check-in: 24 hours to 1 hour before departure (45 min long-haul).
• Mobile boarding pass: BA app, ApplePass, GooglePass.
• Self-service kiosks: at all airports.
• Bag drop: 2-3 hours before departure typically.
• Counter check-in: 2-3 hours before. Heathrow Terminal 5 dedicated BA counters.
• Document check: required for non-Schengen flights at bag drop.
• Boarding closes 35 minutes before scheduled departure (45 min long-haul).
• Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald: dedicated check-in lanes.
• Heathrow T5 efficient: usually 30 min start to gate.

BA fare classes

• Hand Baggage Only (Basic Economy): NO checked. NO seat selection. NO refund. NO miles.
• Standard (Economy): 1×23kg checked + paid seat selection.
• Plus (Economy Plus): + free seat selection + 1 cabin extra.
• Flex (Economy Flex): + free changes + free seat selection.
• World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy): 23kg cabin + 2×23kg + extra legroom + better food.
• Club Europe (Business short-haul): middle seat blocked + better food + lounge.
• Club World (Business long-haul): lie-flat + 2×32kg + lounge + chauffeur transfer (in some markets).
• First: private suite + Concorde Room (LHR T5) + chauffeur + 3×32kg.

BA boarding zones

• Group 1 (First): board first.
• Group 2 (Business): board second.
• Group 3 (Premium Economy): board third.
• Group 4 (Bronze + status + Premium fares): board fourth.
• Group 5 (Standard Economy): board fifth.
• Oneworld Emerald: Group 1 access (treated as First/Business).
• Oneworld Sapphire: Group 4 access.
• Family with under-12: seated together free.
• Disability priority: always first.

BA Executive Club + Oneworld

• BA Executive Club: BA’s frequent flyer program. Earn Avios miles.
• Avios: redeemable for flights, upgrades, hotel stays, Audible, etc.
• Status tiers: Blue (no status), Bronze (300 tier points), Silver (600), Gold (1500).
• Bronze: Oneworld Ruby = priority check-in + lounges.
• Silver: Oneworld Sapphire = +1 bag + priority + lounges (BA + partners).
• Gold: Oneworld Emerald = First Class lounge + +1 bag + priority everywhere.
• Concorde Room: First Class lounge LHR T5. Reserved tables, full service. Free with Gold or First ticket.
• Oneworld: 14 airlines including American, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, Qantas, Royal Jordanian, RAM, S7.

Common BA fees

• 2nd checked bag (Economy): €60-100 short-haul, €100-200 long-haul.
• Hand Baggage Only checked bag: €25-50 add bag.
• Excess baggage: €40-100 per kg.
• Name change: £60. Exact name match required.
• Flight change: £100-300 + fare difference (depending on fare class).
• Cancellation: non-refundable Hand Baggage + Standard. Refund Flex + Business + First.
• Seat selection: £4-30 short-haul, £15-100 long-haul.
• Pet (in cabin): not allowed except service dogs.
• Pet (in hold): £70-200 by weight.
• Special assistance: FREE — book 48h ahead.

BA tips + reviews

• Book 6-12 weeks ahead: cheapest typically.
• Avoid Hand Baggage Only fare if checking: +€25-50 to add bag.
• BA Holidays: package holidays include flight + hotel + 23kg bag.
• Hubs: Heathrow LHR T5 (main), Gatwick LGW.
• Avios redemption sweet spots: short-haul flights from 4,500 Avios, US 30,000+ miles.
• BA Premier credit card: 25,000-50,000 Avios sign-up bonus.
• Skytrax: 4-star airline.
• Reviews: 3.5/5 stars typical. Recent decline due to baggage issues + service.
• Common complaints: Heathrow chaos at peak, IT outages, customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

BA cabin baggage allowance?

All classes: 23kg main bag 56x45x25cm + 1 small item 40x30x15cm. Generous compared to most. Premium Economy + Business + First same cabin allowance.

BA check-in online?

24 hours to 1 hour before departure (45 min long-haul). Mobile boarding pass via app/ApplePass/GooglePass. Bag drop 2-3h before.

BA Hand Baggage Only worth it?

Only if no checked bag needed. +£25-50 to add bag = same price as Standard. Avoid for any leisure trip with luggage.

Oneworld Emerald BA benefits?

First Class Lounge access + Concorde Room (LHR T5) + +1 checked bag (3 total) + priority check-in + boarding everywhere. Earned via 1500 BA tier points or any Oneworld airline equivalent.

BA vs Lufthansa?

BA: Oneworld + LHR hub + British style. Lufthansa: Star Alliance + FRA + MUC + German efficiency. Similar Skytrax 4-star ratings + service. Choose by network + alliance.

BA Concorde Room?

First Class lounge at LHR T5. Reserved table service, full restaurant, private nap rooms, dedicated boarding. FREE with First ticket or BA Executive Club Gold + Oneworld Emerald.

See also

• Heathrow Airport guide