British Airways hand luggage limits at a glance
Personal item (under the seat)
Economy
40 × 30 × 15 cm
15.5 × 12 × 6 in
23 kg (51 lb)
Included in the fare
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
Economy
56 × 45 × 25 cm
22 × 17.5 × 10 in
23 kg (51 lb)
Included in the fare
The personal item on Economy fares can measure up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.5 × 12 × 6 in) and weigh up to 23 kg (51 lb). It is included in the fare. The cabin bag on Economy fares can measure up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.5 × 10 in) and weigh up to 23 kg (51 lb). It is included in the fare. Dimensions include wheels and handles — measure the bag packed, not empty, because a full front pocket can add a couple of centimetres.
Airlines change cabin-bag rules often. These figures were checked in September 2026. Always confirm on British Airways’s official baggage page (opens in a new tab) before you fly — the airline’s own rules apply at the gate.
How to pack for British Airways’s limits
British Airways distinguishes between a small personal item (40 × 30 × 15 cm) and a larger cabin bag (56 × 45 × 25 cm). Keep the things you need during the flight — passport, wallet, phone, chargers, medication — in the personal item, so they stay with you even if the cabin bag has to go in the hold when overhead space runs out.
- Wear your heaviest shoes and jacket on the plane — they don’t count towards the bag.
- Roll or fold clothes into packing cubes and keep the bag’s depth in check; depth is the measurement most bags fail.
- Plan outfits that share pieces, so three tops and two bottoms cover a week. The outfit planner works this out per day.
- Weigh the packed bag at home: 23 kg (51 lb) is the limit to beat. Luggage scales are cheap and save surprises at the gate.
For a full list built around a small bag, see the carry-on only packing list and our guide to packing carry-on only for a week.
Liquids in hand luggage
Most airports still limit cabin liquids to containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) in one clear 1-litre bag. Some airports with new scanners allow more — check your departure airport before you fly.
How British Airways compares
If your bag is at British Airways’s cabin bag limit (56 × 45 × 25 cm), it also fits the matching rule at 1 other airline we track:
- easyJet — Large cabin bag add-on: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
Want one bag for every airline? Taking the smallest length, width and depth across all cabin-bag rules we track gives 55 × 35 × 20 cm (21.5 × 14 × 8 in): a bag within that size fits all of them. Sides are compared longest to longest, because a bag can be turned to fit the sizer.
Longest side 56 cm is 22 in. Inches are rounded to the nearest half inch.
British Airways hand luggage: quick answers
What size carry-on does British Airways allow?
The personal item on Economy fares can measure up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.5 × 12 × 6 in) and weigh up to 23 kg (51 lb). It is included in the fare. The cabin bag on Economy fares can measure up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 17.5 × 10 in) and weigh up to 23 kg (51 lb). It is included in the fare. Checked September 2026 — confirm on British Airways’s own page before you fly.
Does British Airways weigh hand luggage?
British Airways publishes a 23 kg (51 lb) limit for the cabin bag. A packed bag adds up fast: a typical empty wheeled cabin case weighs around 2–3 kg.
Will my British Airways bag fit on other airlines?
A bag at British Airways’s cabin bag limit (56 × 45 × 25 cm) also fits the matching limits of easyJet (Large cabin bag add-on), based on the rules we track.