Personal-item bag · 34 × 19 × 15 cm (13.4 × 7.5 × 5.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the depth
British Airways cabin bag and personal item size
Checked against British Airways' baggage page on 5 October 2026
Personal item (under the seat)
40 × 30 × 15 cm16 × 12 × 6 in
Cabin bag (overhead locker)
56 × 45 × 25 cm22 × 18 × 10 in
Will your bag fit British Airways?
Personal item. Free on every fare. BA calls it a 'hand bag'. Must fit under the seat in front; guaranteed in the cabin; keep medication, electronics and passports here.
Cabin bag. Included on every fare listed below. Wheels and handles count. One cabin bag on all fares. No kg limit on the current page; you must lift it into the overhead bin unassisted. May go in the hold.
What each British Airways fare includes
| Fare | Personal item | Cabin bag | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy Basic (hand baggage only) | Included | Included | Hand bag + cabin bag included; no checked bag. Hold bags are charged extra. |
| Economy / Premium Economy / Business / First | Included | Included | Same 1 hand bag + 1 cabin bag; checked allowance varies by cabin and status. |
Will a standard carry-on fit British Airways?
The most common US carry-on size is 22 × 14 × 9 in (56 × 36 × 23 cm, wheels included). On British Airways it just fits, with under 1 cm to spare. The common European cabin size, 55 × 40 × 20 cm, fits.
British Airways' cabin bag allowance holds about 63 litres. Only 4 of the 151 airlines we track have a bigger one, so most carry-on suitcases sold today will pass.
Bags that fit British Airways
We checked 1,046 bags with published sizes. 19 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare on every side, and another 38 are within a centimeter. 785 fit the cabin bag size comfortably.
Personal item
Personal-item bag · 39.1 × 27.4 × 14.5 cm (15.4 × 10.8 × 5.7 in)
Tight 0.5 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the depth
Personal-item bag · 38.1 × 30.5 × 14 cm (15 × 12 × 5.5 in)
Tight 0.5 cm (0.2 in) too wide; soft-sided, so it only goes in if it squeezes
Personal-item bag · 40 × 30 × 15 cm (15.7 × 11.8 × 5.9 in)
Tight exactly at the limit on the length
Cabin bag
Carry-on suitcase · 19.1 × 12.8 × 8.9 in (48.5 × 32.5 × 22.6 cm)
Fits 2.4 cm (0.9 in) to spare on the depth
Carry-on suitcase · 21.9 × 15 × 9.1 in (55.6 × 38.1 × 23.1 cm)
Tight 0.4 cm (0.2 in) to spare on the length
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14.4 × 9.1 in (55.9 × 36.6 × 23.1 cm)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length
Carry-on suitcase · 22 × 14.4 × 9.1 in (55.9 × 36.6 × 23.1 cm)
Tight 0.1 cm (0 in) to spare on the length
All bags that fit British Airways →
If your bag is too big at the gate
No gate fee published for cabin bags. Bags may be removed at the gate and placed in the hold; spare batteries and power banks must then be taken out and kept in the cabin. Source
Power banks on British Airways
The airline doesn’t say whether you can use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 2 per passenger. Never in checked bags. Up to 2 power banks, each max 100Wh, capacity must be marked. Store in seat pocket or under-seat bag. Seat power is only for devices, not for charging power banks.
Work out your power bank's watt-hours · Power bank rules on every airline
Worth knowing
- Cabin bag size includes wheels and handles.
- Max 4 spare batteries per person, of which up to 2 may be power banks.
- The 100-160Wh approval form is not for power banks; power banks over 100Wh are not covered.
- Children and infants on Basic fares may still check a pushchair, car seat, travel cot or baby carrier free.
Airlines with similar limits
- easyJet: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Jet2.com: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Aegean Airlines: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
- Thai Airways: 56 × 45 × 25 cm
British Airways bag questions
What size is the British Airways personal item?
British Airways' free personal item can be up to 40 × 30 × 15 cm (16 × 12 × 6 in). BA calls it a 'hand bag'. Must fit under the seat in front; guaranteed in the cabin; keep medication, electronics and passports here.
How big can a British Airways cabin bag be?
Up to 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in). Wheels and handles count toward the size.
Which bags fit British Airways' limits?
Of the 1,046 bags we track, 19 fit the personal-item size with at least 1 cm to spare and 785 fit the cabin bag size. See the list.
Can I take a power bank on British Airways?
Yes, in your cabin bag only. The airline doesn’t say whether you can use a power bank on board. Power banks up to 100 Wh go in the cabin. Limit: 2 per passenger. Never in checked bags.
Sources. baggage essentials / allowance page · restricted items / batteries page. Rules checked 5 October 2026. Some details the airline doesn’t publish are marked as such above. Airline staff have the final say at the gate. Spotted a change? Tell us.
Will This Bag Fit is independent and not affiliated with British Airways. Also in: Deutsch, Italiano, Français.