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British Airways

The UK's flag carrier, flying from London Heathrow

  • United KingdomCountry
  • BAIATA Code
  • BAWICAO Code
  • oneworldAlliance
  • Full-ServiceAirline Type

Guide reviewed

About British Airways

British Airways is the UK’s flag carrier and a founding oneworld member, flying from London Heathrow, Gatwick and London City across Europe and around the world. Every fare, even Economy Basic, includes a full-size cabin bag plus a handbag or backpack. This guide covers fares and checked bags, hand baggage sizes, heavy bag fees, Heathrow Terminal 5, Avios and how British Airways compares with Virgin Atlantic and Lufthansa.

British Airways was formed in 1974 by merging BOAC and BEA, with roots going back to 1919. It is a founding member of oneworld and part of International Airlines Group (IAG) with Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling.

British Airways flights to London
Photo: Charles Postiaux / Unsplash

Check-In and Heathrow Terminal 5

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure on the website and app, and mobile boarding passes are widely accepted.

Most Heathrow flights use Terminal 5, with some from Terminal 3. Terminal 5 has satellite gates (B and C) reached by an underground train, so allow extra time to get to your gate.

Power Banks on British Airways

New international (ICAO) rules, in force in the UK from 27 March 2026, apply to British Airways flights:

  • A maximum of two power banks per person, carried in hand baggage only, never in checked bags.
  • Power banks cannot be recharged on board, and you should not use them to charge devices during the flight.
  • Up to 100 Wh is fine; 100–160 Wh needs the airline’s approval.
  • Keep them in the bag under the seat in front of you so you can reach them quickly.

How to Find Cheap British Airways Flights

Cheap British Airways flights: airplane flying in a blue sky
Photo: Viktor Forgacs on Unsplash
  • Use Basic for short trips: it still includes a full-size cabin bag.
  • Compare London airports: fares from Gatwick and London City can be lower than Heathrow.
  • Use Avios plus cash: a small number of Avios can cut the cash price.
  • Avoid UK school holidays: summer, Easter and Christmas fares rise fast.
  • Compare airlines: use the FlightSelects flight search to see British Airways next to Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa and others.

British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic vs Lufthansa

All three are major European full-service airlines with large long-haul networks.

British AirwaysVirgin AtlanticLufthansa
HubLondon HeathrowLondon HeathrowFrankfurt and Munich
AllianceoneworldSkyTeamStar Alliance
LoyaltyBritish Airways Club (Avios)Flying Club (Virgin Points)Miles & More
Best forLargest London network, short-haul EuropeTransatlantic leisure routesConnections across Europe

See our Virgin Atlantic guide and Lufthansa guide to compare.

Arriving in London

Heathrow is linked to central London by the Elizabeth line, the Piccadilly line and the Heathrow Express. Gatwick has the Gatwick Express and Thameslink trains, and London City is on the DLR.

You can also book an airport transfer in advance at a fixed price.

Is British Airways a Good Airline?

Yes, for most travellers. British Airways has a huge network from London, generous hand baggage on every fare and useful Avios. Short-haul Economy includes only water and a light snack, with other food to buy, so compare the total price with a bag before you book.

For more options, see our American Airlines guide, our airline guides and the FlightSelects travel blog.

Facts checked in October 2026 against the British Airways baggage page and the UK CAA power bank guidance. Rules change, so check the official British Airways website before you travel.

oneworld & Airline Partnerships

British Airways is a founding member of oneworld (1999). You can connect onto partners such as American, Iberia, Qatar Airways and Japan Airlines on one ticket and earn Avios across the alliance.

Learn more about oneworld

Codeshare & Interline Partnerships

British Airways runs a transatlantic joint business with American Airlines, Iberia, Finnair and Aer Lingus, and a joint business with Qatar Airways. It is part of IAG with Iberia, Aer Lingus and Vueling.

Hubs & Focus Cities

London Heathrow (LHR) is British Airways' main hub. It also flies from London Gatwick and London City, with BA Euroflyer at Gatwick and BA CityFlyer at London City.

Popular British Airways Routes

British Airways' busiest routes link London Heathrow with New York, Boston, Dubai, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Madrid, Amsterdam and Delhi. Choose a route to see recent schedules and fares.

Fares are the lowest recently found by our partners and can change quickly. Select a fare to check live prices and availability.

British Airways Reschedule & Cancellation Policy

British Airways sells Economy and premium cabins in fare types such as Basic, Standard and Flex. Basic fares include hand baggage only; Standard adds a checked bag; Flex fares are fully flexible. Premium cabins are World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club Europe and Club World (business) and First.

When you change, you pay any difference in fare plus any change fee for your fare type. For flights to or from the USA, the US 24-hour cancellation rule applies.

  • Basic Hand baggage only and the strictest change rules.
  • Standard A checked bag included; change fee may apply.
  • Flex Free changes and refunds.
  • Premium cabins World Traveller Plus, Club Europe, Club World and First.
  • Flights to or from the USA You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if you booked at least 7 days before departure.
  • UK and EU passenger rights UK261 and EU261 may entitle you to compensation for long delays or cancellations.
  • How to change or cancel Use Manage My Booking on ba.com or the BA app.

British Airways Seat Selection & Additional Services

On Basic fares, seats are assigned free at check-in or can be bought in advance; seat selection is included on higher fares and for British Airways Club elite members. Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure.

On long-haul flights, World Traveller Plus offers premium economy, and Club World has lie-flat Club Suites with a closing door on most aircraft. First Class is available on selected routes.

  • Seat selection Paid in advance on many fares; free at check-in.
  • Online check-in Opens 24 hours before departure.
  • World Traveller Plus Premium economy on long-haul flights.
  • Club World Lie-flat Club Suites on most long-haul aircraft.
  • First On selected long-haul routes.
  • Special assistance Request wheelchairs and other help in advance.

British Airways Baggage Allowance

British Airways has one of the most generous hand baggage allowances, and it does not cut it on the cheapest fare: every passenger can bring a cabin bag of up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm and a handbag or backpack of up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm, each weighing up to 23 kg as long as you can lift it into the locker yourself. On busy flights the cabin bag may go in the hold, so keep valuables and medicines in your small bag.

Basic fares don't include a checked bag. Economy Standard includes one 23 kg bag, World Traveller Plus two 23 kg bags (one on some routes), Club two 32 kg bags and First three 32 kg bags. In Economy and Premium Economy the 23 kg limit applies per bag and can't be split; a bag of 23–32 kg costs £65 per one-way journey, and checked bags can measure up to 90 × 75 × 43 cm.

  • Cabin bag (all fares) Up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm and 23 kg.
  • Handbag or backpack (all fares) Up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm and 23 kg.
  • Basic fares No checked bag; bags can be added for a fee.
  • Economy Standard and Flex 1 bag of 23 kg.
  • World Traveller Plus 2 bags of 23 kg each (1 on some routes).
  • Club Europe and Club World 2 bags of 32 kg each.
  • First 3 bags of 32 kg each.
  • Heavy bags (23–32 kg) £65 per bag, per one-way journey.
  • Maximum size 90 × 75 × 43 cm per checked bag.

British Airways Club: British Airways Loyalty Programme

The British Airways Club (formerly the Executive Club) is BA's free loyalty programme. You collect Avios on British Airways and oneworld flights and with partners, and spend them on Reward Flights, upgrades and more.

Tier Points decide your status: Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Since 2025, Tier Points are earned mainly by how much you spend on flights and holidays.

  • Blue Free entry level for all members.
  • Bronze Priority services and oneworld Ruby status.
  • Silver Lounge access and oneworld Sapphire status.
  • Gold The highest benefits and oneworld Emerald status.
  • Avios Spent on Reward Flights, upgrades and more.
  • oneworld Earn and redeem across oneworld airlines.
Join or log in on the British Airways website

British Airways: Frequently Asked Questions

01What are British Airways’ IATA and ICAO codes?

The airline's two-character IATA code is BA. It appears in flight numbers (for example BA 101), on tickets and on airport departure boards. Its three-letter ICAO code is BAW, which air traffic control and flight-tracking services use to identify the airline.

02Which airline alliance is British Airways part of?

It is a member of oneworld. Alliance membership usually means easier connections, shared lounge access for eligible passengers and the option to earn and redeem miles across partner airlines.

03Where is British Airways headquartered?

The airline is headquartered in Harmondsworth (London Heathrow), United Kingdom.

04When was British Airways founded?

The airline was founded in 1974.

05What are British Airways’ main hubs?

Its main hubs and focus cities are: London (LHR) – Main Hub.

06What is British Airways’ frequent flyer programme called?

The frequent flyer programme is called British Airways Club. Members earn points or miles on eligible flights and can redeem them for award tickets, upgrades and other benefits.

07What is British Airways' hand baggage allowance?

One cabin bag (up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm) and one handbag or backpack (up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm), each up to 23 kg, on every fare including Basic.

08Does British Airways Basic include a checked bag?

No. Basic fares include hand baggage only. Economy Standard includes one 23 kg checked bag.

09How much does British Airways charge for a heavy bag?

In Economy and Premium Economy, a bag weighing 23–32 kg costs £65 per bag, per one-way journey. Bags over 32 kg are not accepted.

10When does British Airways online check-in open?

Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure on ba.com and in the BA app.

British Airways, its logo and trademarks are the property of British Airways Plc and are used for identification and informational purposes only. FlightSelects is not affiliated with or endorsed by British Airways unless expressly stated. FlightSelects may earn a commission when you book through partner links, at no extra cost to you.