How Strict Is British Airways Personal Item Size 2024?

So How strict is British airways on personal item size? Is British Airways strict on baggage?

Passengers who are familiar with British airways services or products knew that the airline has some of the best and generous luggage allowances in the world.

But when transporting extra luggage or want to sneak some weight or stack some staff on your personal item, you better ask google on “How strict is British airways on personal item size or weight ?” and here is what you will get.

“British Airways stated that each passenger will be allowed to have on board one carry-on bag and one personal item or a hand bag free of charge. According to BA your carry-on bag can be (Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) with a weight of 23kg (51lb) ) and must fit in the sizer in the airport, so can be placed in the overhead compartment, whilst your personal item with the following size and weight ( 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) Up to 23kg (51lb) ) and must be small enough to fit under the seat in front of you.”

On busy flights, you may be asked to check in your larger cabin bag. and travel with only your personal item so Make sure your travel documents and other essentials are in your smaller hand bag.

Let’s Find Out How Strict Is British Airways With Its Personal Item

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How Strict Is British Airways With Personal Item Size?

According to BA,your personal item size must not exceed  (40 x 30 x 15cm
(16 x 12 x 6in) ),seems too small for a backpack and That’s the size of a typical messenger bag or a slim, soft-side briefcase style bag.

Handbags or laptop-sized bags are guaranteed to travel in the cabin as hand baggage, means if your carry on bag is too big it maybe subject for check in baggage regulations.

However, British airways are more likely to be strict with your personal item at the gate especial yon busy flights.

My Personal Item Is Slightly Oversized, What Will Happen?

You can take an oversized bag or a personal item on board BA flights, even if it is slightly big, but if the airline found that your bag is over the limits with many inches, you find yourself in trouble, your personal item will count as carry on bag, and it will be gate checked.

The only time this might be worth the risk is if your personal item is only an inch or less bigger than the limits stated by BA.

How Do I Make The Most Of My Personal Item Space?

Of course we could say, pack less or find a compatible personal item, but what if you want to have more options of your items, and have more stuff on your personal item or piece of luggage .

So there so many ways to make the most of your personal item and beat BA carry on restrictions, the one that many passengers like is to put on extra layers, that way you can take advantage of the space in your carry on.

Heavy clothes take up a huge space on your bag, so wear them while you are at the airport, besides if you are wearing a coat with large pocket this may give you chance to put some items like socks or some documents…

This will give you more room to pack essentials for your trip.

What Is The Best Personal Item For British Airways?

We love to travel with fancy items, i beat you are too, and however this bag is slightly few inches big ( 16 x 12 x 6in), but it’s foldable and you can place more items on it and can be squeezed under the seat.

if you’re looking for a bag which is solid and can take the risk with you with a great fit and superb value we recommend one of these personal item bags on Amazon.

They are been designed especially for “under the seat”, personal item travel, and you can just grab them for under $40.

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People also ask:

Does A Backpack Count As A Personal Item On British Airways?

Your backpack will be counted as a personal item,if only is within the allowed size and weight which is (size 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in)) (weight Up to 23kg (51lb))

if you want to take risk and go with your big backpack check out this answer from a reddit user:

That’s the size of a typical messenger bag or a slim, soft-side briefcase style bag. So, probably not a larger backpack-style laptop bag.

That’s a second personal item separate from the cabin bag that you can also bring with you. And if you’re bringing a cabin bag, you have to choose either a laptop bag or a shoulder bag as the second piece of hand luggage.

How Strict Is British Airways Personal Item Reddit?

How strict is British airways on personal item- reddit

What Is British Airways Carry-on Item Policy?

As described above BA carry on policies allows a cabin bag Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10in) with a weight of 23kg (51lb) and one personal item or hand bag Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6in) with a weight of 23kg (51lb).

For more information please visit this page on their website.

Additional items

In addition to your personal item, you are allowed to bring other day to day necessities such as:

  • Mobility devices and medical equipment
  • medical equipment

How Strict Is British Airways Personal Item? Takeaway

As BA stated your hand bag or computer bag or personal item are guaranteed to travel with you onboard but they must be in the allowed size and weight so they can be placed perfectly under the seat in front of you, However; your carry on bag may not be able to travel on board in some cases, especially if there is no available space or busy flights.

Make sure your travel documents and other essentials are in your smaller handbag.

To avoid any inconvenience at the airport or onboard BA airplanes, especially in this situations (the pandemic) we highly advise to stick with the airline regulations, in all criterias.

The best way to avoid BA restrictions is to invest in a fully compliant bag and sticking within the size and weight limits.

Please browse the BA website for more information.

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