2026 carry-on & personal item rules
British Airways carry-on size
British Airways's carry-on baggage size limit is 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), with a 23 kg (50.7 lb) weight limit. One of the most generous allowances: a cabin bag up to 23 kg plus a handbag, on every fare. You must be able to lift it into the bin yourself.
Verified Oct 17, 2026By Steven MoHow we check Report a correction
Carry-on
56 × 45 × 25 cm
22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in
Weight limit
23 kg
50.7 lb
Personal item
40 × 30 × 15 cm
15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in
Carry-on on cheapest fare
Included
Even on Basic (hand baggage only)
Quick answer
British Airways allows a carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in) and 23 kg, plus a personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm. Both are included on every fare, Basic (hand baggage only) too.
- Carry-on
- 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight limit
- 23 kg (50.7 lb)
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in)
- Cheapest fare
- Included on every fare
- Standard 22 × 14 × 9 in bag
- Fits
- Checked bag
- British Airways includes one bag of up to 23 kg (51 lb) with Economy; Basic (hand baggage only) includes no checked bag. Each extra bag costs $70.
British Airways bag sizes, drawn to scale
Will my bag fit on British Airways?
Measure your packed bag, including wheels and handles.
As a carry-on
Fits
Limit: 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in), 23 kg (50.7 lb)
As a personal item
Too big
6.3 in too long, 2.2 in too wide, 3.1 in too deep
Limit: 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in)
Will my bag fit as a personal item on British Airways?
Typical sizes of everyday bags, checked against British Airways's 40 × 30 × 15 cm personal item limit. Measure your own bag, or use the checker above.
- Small backpack or daypack41 × 30 × 15 cmToo big: 1 cm too long
- Under-seat rolling bag41 × 33 × 20 cmToo big: 1 cm too long, 3 cm too wide, 5 cm too deep
- Laptop backpack46 × 30 × 20 cmToo big: 6 cm too long, 5 cm too deep
- Large tote46 × 36 × 15 cmToo big: 6 cm too long, 6 cm too wide
- Weekender duffel51 × 28 × 25 cmToo big: 11 cm too long, 10 cm too deep
British Airways carry-on rules by fare
Basic (hand baggage only)
Even hand-baggage-only fares include a cabin bag and a handbag.
Higher fares
Standard and premium fares include a carry-on and a personal item.
Checked bags
On flights between the U.S. and the UK, British Airways includes one bag of up to 23 kg (51 lb) with Economy; Basic (hand baggage only) includes no checked bag. Each extra bag costs $70. All British Airways bag fees
Tips for flying British Airways
- •Measure your packed bag, wheels and handles included; many suitcases sold as "22-inch" are taller with the wheels.
- •British Airways's personal item limit is on the small side, so a typical laptop backpack may be too deep.
- •Weigh your bag at home: British Airways has a 23 kg (50.7 lb) carry-on limit.
How British Airways compares
Carry-on rules at other European airlines.
| Airline | Carry-on | Weight | Personal item | Carry-on on cheapest fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | 23 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Virgin Atlantic | 56 × 36 × 23 cm22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Lufthansa | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Air France | 55 × 35 × 25 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in | 12 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| KLM | 55 × 35 × 25 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in | 12 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Iberia | 56 × 40 × 25 cm22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Aer Lingus | 55 × 40 × 24 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Icelandair | 55 × 40 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Turkish Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| SWISS | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Ryanair | 55 × 40 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
| easyJet | 56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | 15 kg | 45 × 36 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
| Wizz Air | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
| TAP Air Portugal | 55 × 40 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Vueling | 55 × 40 × 20 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
| Norwegian | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 15 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
| Jet2 | 56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Finnair | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| SAS Scandinavian Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| ITA Airways | 55 × 35 × 25 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Austrian Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Brussels Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Eurowings | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 25 cm | Costs extra |
| Transavia | 55 × 35 × 25 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
| Condor | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| Discover Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Norse Atlantic Airways | 56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Not on some basic fares |
| LOT Polish Airlines | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | Must fit under seat | Included |
| Air Europa | 55 × 35 × 25 cm21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in | 10 kg | 40 × 30 × 15 cm | Included |
| Aegean Airlines | 56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | 8 kg | Must fit under seat | Not on some basic fares |
| SunExpress | 55 × 40 × 23 cm21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in | 8 kg | 40 × 30 × 20 cm | Costs extra |
- British Airways
- Carry-on
- 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 23 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Virgin Atlantic
- Carry-on
- 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14.2 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Lufthansa
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Air France
- Carry-on
- 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 12 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- KLM
- Carry-on
- 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 12 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Iberia
- Carry-on
- 56 × 40 × 25 cm (22 × 15.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Aer Lingus
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 24 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.4 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Icelandair
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Turkish Airlines
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- SWISS
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Ryanair
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- easyJet
- Carry-on
- 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 15 kg
- Personal item
- 45 × 36 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Wizz Air
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- TAP Air Portugal
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Vueling
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 7.9 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Norwegian
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 15 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Jet2
- Carry-on
- 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Finnair
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- SAS Scandinavian Airlines
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- ITA Airways
- Carry-on
- 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Austrian Airlines
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Brussels Airlines
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Eurowings
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 25 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Transavia
- Carry-on
- 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
- Condor
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- Discover Airlines
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Norse Atlantic Airways
- Carry-on
- 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Air Europa
- Carry-on
- 55 × 35 × 25 cm (21.7 × 13.8 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 10 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 15 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Included
- Aegean Airlines
- Carry-on
- 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- Must fit under seat
- Cheapest fare
- Not on some basic fares
- SunExpress
- Carry-on
- 55 × 40 × 23 cm (21.7 × 15.7 × 9.1 in)
- Weight
- 8 kg
- Personal item
- 40 × 30 × 20 cm
- Cheapest fare
- Costs extra
Head-to-head comparisons
British Airways vs American British Airways vs Delta British Airways vs United British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic British Airways vs Lufthansa British Airways vs Air France British Airways vs KLM British Airways vs Iberia British Airways vs Aer Lingus British Airways vs Icelandair British Airways vs Turkish British Airways vs SWISS British Airways vs Ryanair British Airways vs easyJet British Airways vs Wizz Air British Airways vs Finnair British Airways vs ITA British Airways vs Norse British Airways vs Aegean
British Airways carry-on FAQ
British Airways allows a carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.7 × 9.8 in). One of the most generous allowances: a cabin bag up to 23 kg plus a handbag, on every fare. You must be able to lift it into the bin yourself.
Connecting on British Airways
How long a layover you need at its hubs.
Airports British Airways flies from
Airport guides for the airports we cover: getting into town, terminals, lounges and parking.
London (LHR)British Airways hubAmsterdam (AMS)Atlanta (ATL)Austin (AUS)Baltimore (BWI)Boston (BOS)Charlotte (CLT)Chicago (ORD)Cincinnati (CVG)Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW)Denver (DEN)Dublin (DUB)Frankfurt (FRA)Houston (IAH)Las Vegas (LAS)Los Angeles (LAX)Madrid (MAD)Miami (MIA)Montreal (YUL)Munich (MUC)Nashville (BNA)New Orleans (MSY)New York (JFK)Newark (EWR)
Sources
Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Airlines change their rules without notice, so confirm with the airline before you fly.
- British Airways official baggage policy
- Upgraded Points: carry-on size chart for 63 airlines (updated May 16, 2026)
Read how we collect and check this data, or tell us if something's out of date.
Cheap flights on British Airways and more
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