British Airways hand luggage size: cabin bag and hand bag
Enter your bag's measurements and see instantly whether it flies as British Airways hand luggage — free, for a fee, or not at all — against the official limits.
Your bag's measurements
The order doesn't matter — we test every orientation. Measure the widest points, including wheels, handles and packed pockets.
British Airways — official cabin limits
| Allowance | Max dimensions | Max weight |
|---|---|---|
| Free personal item | 40 × 30 × 15 cm15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in | Not stated |
| Cabin bag | 56 × 45 × 25 cm22.0 × 17.7 × 9.8 in | Not stated |
What to expect
British Airways is one of the most generous major airlines in Europe on hand luggage: a 56 × 45 × 25 cm (≈ 22.0 × 17.7 × 9.8 in) cabin bag plus a 40 × 30 × 15 cm (≈ 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) hand bag, both included on every fare — even Basic. There's no published weight limit; the rule is that you must be able to lift the cabin bag into the locker unassisted. Size is measured including wheels and handles, and on busy flights the larger bag may be sent to the hold.
Soft bag vs hard case
BA rarely sizes bags at the gate, but only the under-seat hand bag is guaranteed in the cabin — so a soft bag that actually fits the 40 × 30 × 15 cm (≈ 15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in) space is worth more than a rigid case that doesn't. The 15 cm depth is the tight figure: a stiff back panel or a hard laptop sleeve pushes past it fast, while a frameless bag compresses in.
Boarding tips
- Keep valuables, medication and electronics in the small hand bag — BA guarantees it in the cabin, while the larger cabin bag may be sent to the hold on busy flights.
- There's no weight figure to pack to, but you must lift the cabin bag into the locker yourself — no crew help.
- Measure with wheels and handles included: the 56 × 45 × 25 cm (≈ 22.0 × 17.7 × 9.8 in) limit counts them.
- Even the Basic (hand baggage only) fare includes both bags — you don't pay extra to bring the cabin bag.