• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
milepro | travel like a pro!

milepro | travel like a pro!

travel smarter....travel like a pro!

  • Travel Credit Cards
    • Airline Credit Cards
    • Hotel Credit Cards
    • Business Credit Cards
    • Luxury Credit Cards
  • Deals & Promotions
    • Airline Content
      • Air France
      • Alaska Airlines
      • American Airlines
      • Delta Airlines
      • Emirates
      • Etihad Airways
      • Hawaiian Airlines
      • Lufthansa
      • Qatar Airways
      • SWISS Air
      • United Airlines
      • Virgin Atlantic
    • Hotel Content
      • Hilton Honors
      • Hyatt World of Hyatt
      • IHG Rewards Club
      • Marriott Bonvoy
    • Rental Car Content
      • Avis
      • Budget
      • Hertz
      • National
  • Guides & Tips
  • Reviews
  • Travel Gear
BA Carry onRules 1

British Airways Carry-On Rules: What You Need to Know!

If you want to avoid checking a bag on British Airways, you need to read this!

Home » Airline Content » British Airways Carry-On Rules: What You Need to Know!
Author: Tim White Last Updated: February 22, 2023
FYI: We may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through a link on our site, at no additional cost to you. Please refer to our Disclosure for more details.

Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • British Airways Carry-On Rules+−
    • British Airways Carry-On Size Restriction
    • British Airways Personal Item Size & Fees
    • British Airways Carry-On Weight Limit
    • Rules for Small Regional Aircraft
  • British Airways Carry-On Liquid Policy+−
    • The TSA 3-1-1 Rule
  • Carry-On Food
  • British Airways Pet Policy
  • Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods
  • British Airways Carry-On Size and Fees+−
    • More related articles….

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies.  Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry on” to the plane. Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume that what works for one will work for all airlines.

If you are going to be flying British Airways, here are the British Airways Carry-On rules you need to be aware of regarding size, weight, fees, liquids, etc.

British Airways Carry-On Rules

British Airways allows one carry-on bag (“Cabin Bag”) and one personal item (“Hand Bag”) onboard at no charge.

British Airways Carry on size limits

British Airways Carry-On Size Restriction

British Airways’ size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 18″ x 10″.

If you are not sure what size your carry-on is, British Airways does provide size check templates located at their ticket counters and gates.  But by the time you get to either of these locations, it’s too late if the bag is too big, so better always to know your bag size in advance.

British Airways Size Checker for carry-on and personal items
British Airways Size Checker for carry-on and personal items

British Airways carry-on size limits are displayed when you check-in

British Airways Personal Item Size & Fees

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item

Additional items that can be carried on include:

  • A jacket and/or umbrella
  • Food or drink purchased after clearing the security checkpoint
  • Duty-free merchandise
  • Special items like strollers, child restraint seats, or assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches

British Airways Carry-On Weight Limit

British Airways requires carry-on bags to weigh less than 23 kg (51 lbs.). However, they don’t weigh your carry-on items prior to boarding, so you’re generally not going to have a problem if it’s too heavy. The weight issue applies to check baggage more than carry-on bags since they weigh your checked bags when you check in for your flight.

Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

If you are flying one of British Airways regional planes, such as an Embraer 190, it may not be possible to carry your hand baggage on board, even if it has the correct dimensions and weight. If this is the case, BA will check it in and carry it in the hold, free of charge.

If you want to make sure you have a bag that will fit, check out this article on the best carry-on bags for regional jets.

British Airways Carry-On Liquid Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA in the US and the EASA and European Commission in Europe.  British Air doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities.

  • Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
  • All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity of 1 liter). One bag per person.
  • The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened in the course of security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
  • Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
  • Medicines and special food (e.g. baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.

Below is a table that provides some examples of Non-solid Food and Personal Items that are considered “liquids”:

CATSA Items that are Liquids, Aerosols and Gels

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters and are enclosed in a sealed, one-quart-size bag. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, perfume, mouthwash, deodorant, and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.

Here is a little video to help illustrate this:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

The TSA also sets the rules for what type of food you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

  1. The food you bring with you from home, and
  2. The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

When bringing food with you from home, an important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods.

The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel.”   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

Here’s a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your British Airways flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security. Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

British Airways Pet Policy

As a general rule, British Airways does not allow pets, including emotional support animals, in the main cabin, they must travel in the holding area. However, they will allow recognized service dogs to travel with you.

Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods

There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as a hazardous material. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under British Airways’ carry-on policy and include the following:

  • Firearms and ammunition
  • Stunning devices, mace, tear gas, and pepper spray
  • Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
  • Sharp or pointed objects (knives, swords, cutting instruments, razors, ice skates, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items) 
  • Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses 
  • Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene
  • Self-Balancing devices such as hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, and gravity boards
  • Medical or liquid oxygen 
  • Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
  • Wet-cell batteries

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations

  • Hiking or trekking poles
  • Hair dryer/Straightener
  • Hair spray
  • Sunscreen/bug spray
  • Food as a carry on
  • Fishing hooks
  • Fragile glass items

A complete list can be found on the FAA website and the TSA website.

One more way to find them is with the British Airways summary of restricted items.

British Airways Carry-On Size and Fees

British Airways does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements. If your bag is too large and does not meet British Airways’ carry-on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate-check it.

Here is a link to British Airways’ Carry-On page to ensure you have the most up-to-date information.

More related articles….

British Airways

British Airways Delays & Cancellations: How to Get Compensated

BA Carry onRules 1

British Airways Carry-On Rules: What You Need to Know!

Guide to Booking Flights with British Airways Avios Points

Guide to Booking Flights with British Airways Avios Points

Category: Airline Content
Previous Post:Dominick Hotel InspiratoThe Dominick Hotel, Soho: Inspirato Property Review
Next Post:Air Canada Carry On Rules: Everything You Need to KnowAir Canada Carry On Rules Size 1

Sidebar

Hotel Guides

  • Hilton Hotels & Resorts
  • Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
  • IHG / Holiday Inn Hotels
  • Inspirato Travel Subscription
  • Marriott Hotels & Resorts

Rental Car Guides

  • Avis Car Rental
  • Budget Car Rental
  • Hertz Car Rental
  • National Car Rental

Airline Guides

  • Aer Lingus
  • Air France
  • Alaska Airlines
  • American Airlines
  • Delta Airlines
  • Emirates Airline
  • Etihad Airways
  • Hawaiian Airlines
  • Lufthansa
  • Qatar Airways
  • SWISS Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Virgin Atlantic
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Copyright © 2023 milepro · All Rights Reserved

about us · affiliate disclaimer · privacy policy · terms of use & disclaimer