Yes, you can buy extra baggage on British Airways online in Manage My Booking for the lowest price, or at the airport at a higher rate.
Airport Purchase
After Booking
Online Pre-Check-In
Carry-On Vs Checked
- HB Only fares have no free hold bag.
- Checked piece can be added online.
- Two cabin items still apply.
Fare Basics
Extra Bags
- Buy in Manage My Booking.
- Cheapest before check-in opens.
- Up to 10 per person.
How To Buy
Weight Bands
- 23 kg standard in economy.
- 32 kg in Club/First.
- Over 32 kg not accepted.
Limits
How Buying Extra Baggage Works On BA
BA sells extra checked bags two ways. The cheapest path is online in Manage My Booking before you check in. Airport purchase comes with a higher rate and fewer payment options. You can use a card or Avios online; at many airports only cards are accepted.
Your allowance and the price for extra bags depend on route, fare, and cabin. BA prices by piece, not per kilo. The system shows the exact fee for your flight once you log in. That removes guesswork and helps you avoid overpaying.
Where To Buy Extra Baggage On BA
| Method | When | Perks/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online (Manage My Booking) | Any time before check-in and up to check-in | Lowest price; pay by card or Avios; add up to 10 bags |
| Airport Desk | After check-in opens or once checked in | Higher price; card only at many airports; Avios not accepted |
Plan around the size box and weight cap. BA limits each checked bag to 90×75×43 cm. Economy fares top out at 23 kg per bag; Club and First permit 32 kg per bag. If you want a refresher built for travelers, skim our checked baggage size limits piece and pack to those numbers.
Buy Extra Baggage On British Airways: Routes, Fares, Limits
The allowance in your ticket sets the starting point. Hand Baggage Only fares include cabin bags but no free checked bag. Economy Standard on many routes includes one 23 kg bag. Premium cabins raise the weight per piece to 32 kg and often add more pieces. Extra bags stack on top of that base.
Weight And Size Limits You Must Match
Each checked piece must fit within 90×75×43 cm. Handles and wheels count. Weight caps are strict. A 23 kg bag counts as standard on most economy fares. A 32 kg bag fits Club and First rules. Staff weigh at drop-off. If you tip over your band, fees apply even if the bag is the only one.
Pooling weight between cases isn’t how BA charges. The logic is piece-based. Shift items between cases at home so each case clears the scale. That beats paying a fee at the counter.
Overweight And Oversize Fees
When a checked bag goes over 23 kg and up to 32 kg on fares with a 23 kg limit, BA applies a flat overweight fee. The current charge is 65 GBP, 75 EUR, 100 USD, or 100 CAD per bag each way at check-in. Bags over 32 kg aren’t accepted, full stop.
If your bag is too large, agents can reclassify it as oversized or as a special item. Expect to move items between cases or buy an extra piece. Oversize handling varies by route and equipment. Book early when carrying bulky gear.
Step-By-Step: Add An Extra Bag In Manage My Booking
- Open your booking with your reference and last name.
- Head to the baggage section. The screen shows your free allowance by segment.
- Pick “add extra bag.” Pricing displays per segment, per bag.
- Choose how many extra bags you want. BA caps the total at 10 per person, including the free ones in your fare.
- Pay by card, Avios, or a mix. Save the email receipt.
- Check in when the window opens. Print tags at a kiosk or see an agent.
How Many Extra Bags Can You Buy?
BA allows up to 10 checked bags per person in total on many routes. That number includes the bags that come with your ticket. Buy only what you can move through the airport. Carts help, but connection times and stairs still bite. If your trip runs through a partner’s aircraft, hard caps can be lower. The booking path warns you if a segment blocks extra pieces.
What About Hand Baggage Only Tickets?
These fares include two cabin items but no hold bag. You can still add a checked piece online at the extra-bag rate. On some short routes, the price can match or beat an upgrade to Economy Standard. Compare both in the tool, then pick the cheaper path.
Sports Gear And Musical Instruments
Skis, bikes, guitars, and cellos fly often on BA. Many items count as a standard checked bag if they sit within size and weight. Bulky gear may need special handling or a case that meets the limits. Pack to the 23 kg or 32 kg band, label the case, and add an extra piece if your kit spills over.
Sample Scenarios That Save Money
Two 18 Kg Bags Beat One 27 Kg Bag
One heavy bag over 23 kg draws the overweight fee. Two lighter bags under 23 kg each slide through with no weight fee. If your base fare includes one piece, buy one extra piece online. You pay the extra-bag price and skip the overweight charge.
Online Extra Bag Vs Airport Fee
Online rates are discounted against the airport desk price. Add pieces as soon as your packing list firms up. The tool lets you add or remove in the same session. Airport desks can’t apply Avios and may charge more.
Hand Baggage Only With A Single 20 Kg Case
On a Hand Baggage Only fare, adding one 23 kg bag online usually beats paying at the airport. It also shields you from a gate check, where staff may send an oversize cabin case to the hold and charge you.
Table Of Limits And Typical Charges
| Allowance Type | Rule | Notes/Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Size per checked piece | Up to 90×75×43 cm | Handles and wheels count |
| Weight per piece (economy) | Up to 23 kg | Heavier pieces charged as overweight |
| Weight per piece (Club/First) | Up to 32 kg | Over 32 kg not accepted |
| Overweight fee | 23–32 kg on 23 kg fares | 65 GBP / 75 EUR / 100 USD / 100 CAD per bag each way |
| Extra bags | Buy up to 10 total per person | Cheapest online in Manage My Booking |
Codeshares, Partners, And Edge Cases
Many BA tickets include segments on partners. The operating carrier can set the bag rules for that leg. When the tool flags a segment with tighter limits, treat that as the hard cap. Long narrow-body hops can block bulky gear. Keep your extra bags within the strictest leg.
Transatlantic trips on joint-business partners can allow more pieces but keep the same size and weight. When unsure, open the baggage calculator in your booking and view each segment. That page reflects your exact fare, cabin, and route. BA also lists current extra-bag and overweight details on its baggage essentials guide.
Practical Packing Tactics
Weigh And Measure At Home
Use a luggage scale and a tape. Aim a kilo under the limit to allow for small variances. Tighten straps so the case fits the size box.
Spread Heavy Items
Split books, shoes, and toiletries across cases. Keep the heaviest items near the wheels. That keeps the case stable and saves your back.
Protect Fragile Items
Wrap glass and electronics in soft layers. Use a hard case for instruments. Add a name tag inside and outside each bag.
When An Extra Bag Beats A Bigger Suitcase
A huge case close to 32 kg is hard to move and can miss the belt size. Two mid-size cases under the limit glide through the airport and keep options open if you shop on the trip. The extra bag also spreads risk if one case goes missing.
Refunds, Changes, And Receipts
Extra bag fees tie to the flight segment. If you change flights, the system rechecks pricing. Keep all receipts. If a bag is involuntarily checked at the gate from the cabin, agents follow the rules in the fare and local policy on charges and refunds. Ask staff to annotate the record if you paid online and the tag fails to print. BA publishes the current overweight fee bands and conditions on its tariff pages and check-in guidance, so check the latest before you travel.
Bottom Line And A Handy Next Read
Buy extra baggage on BA online before check-in opens. Keep each case within 90×75×43 cm and the right weight band. Want airline size context across carriers? Try our carry-on sizes guide for a quick comparison.