What is the British Airways carry-on size limit?

56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in), including wheels and handles.

What is the British Airways personal item size?

40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in); it must fit under the seat in front of you.

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British Airways carry-on and personal item size

British Airways allows a free carry-on up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) plus a free personal item up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in).

Personal item free

40 × 30 × 15 cm

16 × 12 × 6 in

Carry-on free

56 × 45 × 25 cm

22 × 18 × 10 in · no weight limit

Checked bag

23 kg

90 × 75 × 43 cm, 50 lb (23 kg)

British Airways limits drawn to scale, front view; the personal item is about 29% of the carry-on's volume.

British Airways bag rules worth knowing

British Airways' cabin bag (56 × 45 × 25 cm) is one of the most generous in Europe, and BA lists no fixed weight limit as long as you can lift it.
Checked bags can be up to 90 × 75 × 43 cm; bags over 23 kg pay a heavy-bag charge, and nothing over 32 kg is accepted.

How British Airways compares

Carry-on size rank: 3 of 25 (63 L); personal item: 17 of 22 (18 L).

A bag at British Airways's full carry-on size also fits the carry-on limit of Spirit, but is too big for American, Delta, United, Southwest and 19 more.

A maxed-out British Airways personal item also passes as a personal item on American, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, Allegiant and 8 more.

Will your bag fit British Airways?

Length Width Depth Unit

Source: British Airways, checked 2026-10-29.