British Airways Flights
About British Airways
The UK’s flag carrier celebrates its centenary this year, marking 100 years of top-class service connecting Britain to the world. From pioneering Concorde to partnering with beloved national brands such as Marmite and Brewdog, we love British Airways’ ability to innovate whilst championing the best of British.
Check-in
Web & Mobile Check-in
Online check-in opens 24 hours before your flight. With online check-in you can print your boarding pass before heading to the airport or use mobile boarding passes on the British Airways mobile app, so you'll only need to go to the counter if you have luggage to check in.
Airport Check-in
Many airports offer the convenience of kiosks, where you can check in and print your own boarding pass. Once complete, just proceed to the bag drop-off point before heading to security.
Check in counters and bag drop for international flights open 3 hours before departure.
Be sure to arrive at least 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Bag drop closes 60 minutes before the scheduled departure for long-haul, and 45 minutes before on short-haul flights.
Baggage Allowance
Carry-on allowance:
Economy
- 1 carry-on bag up to 23kg weight
- 1 additional small bag, handbag, briefcase or non-rigid garment bag
Premium Economy, Business Class & First Class
- 2 carry-on bags up to 23kg of weight for each carry-on bag
- 1 additional small bag, handbag, briefcase or non-rigid garment bag
Checked baggage allowance:
Checked baggage allowances vary depending on flight routing, cabin class and frequent flyer status. Check with your Flight Centre Expert in advance for specific baggage policies, but generally allowances are as follows:
Economy
(Not including Basic fares):
- 1 piece of baggage (2 bags when travelling to select destinations such as Brazil)
- Each bag must weigh no more than 23kg
Premium Economy
- 2 pieces of baggage
- Each bag must weigh no more than 23kg
Business Class
- 2 pieces of baggage
- Each bag must weigh no more than 32kg
First Class
- 3 pieces of baggage
- Each bag must weigh no more than 32kg
*Baggage allowances may differ on other airlines. Check beforehand if your itinerary includes travel on an alliance partner airline.
Bulky items
If your hand baggage is over the weight limit, you will need to check it in and it will count towards your checked baggage allowance. If this then takes you over your free checked baggage allowance, or if you are travelling on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare, you will need to pay for extra baggage at the airport rate.
Checked baggage
If your checked bag weighs more than your allowance you may be charged extra at the airport. Charges start at £65 per overweight bag and one way journey.
Baggage weighing over 32kg are not possible to check in and you will need to use the unaccompanied bags service.
Sporting or musical equipment can be checked as part of your baggage allowance, but you might need to pay extra if they are large or heavy. Check with your Flight Centre Consultant in advance for specific allowances.
Infant baggage
Infants are allowed one piece of cabin baggage and 1 piece of checked luggage up to 23kg in all cabin classes, except on a hang luggage only (Basic) fare. A Basic fare allows one cabin bag only, however strollers and car seats are accepted to be checked free of charge.
Children two years and over are permitted the standard baggage allowance depending on fare type.
Frequent Flyer Points
Executive Club is Air British Airways’ loyalty programme. As an Executive Club member you'll earn Avios points on all eligible British Airways flights, as well as many partner airline and oneworld member flights. Then you can spend your Avios on flights, upgrades, hotels and rental cars.
- Blue: Collect Avios and tier points, save your details and preferences and receive member-only offers.
- Bronze: Collect Avios and tier points, save your details and preferences and receive member-only offers. Priority check in and boarding, free seat selection 7 days before departure, 25% bonus Avios.
- Silver: Collect Avios and tier points, save your details and preferences and receive member-only offers. Priority check in and boarding, free seat selection at booking, access to Business lounges, extra baggage allowance, 50% bonus Avios.
- Gold: Collect Avios and tier points, save your details and preferences and receive member-only offers. First Class check in and boarding, free seat selection at booking, access to First lounges, extra baggage allowance, 100% bonus Avios, additional reward flight availability.
Flying with British Airways long-haul, you'll have personal on-demand entertainment touch screens in each seat back featuring hundreds of movies, TV shows, games, music and more. Watch and listen from the comfort of your ergonomically designed seat with an adjustable headrest, lumbar support and recline.
You will never go hungry or thirsty on a British Airways flight, with a full bar service and a range of new improved meal options designed by internationally-renowned chefs, as well as a variety of tasty snacks (Magnum ice cream anyone?) and family friendly options with activity packs when travelling with kids.
Upgrade your cabin experience on selected flights in British Airways' Club Suite, which gives you your own personal space to sit, sleep, work or relax. Plus, with direct aisle access for enhanced privacy, a larger fully flat bed, 17" inch screens and more, you'll be flying in style and ultimate comfort.
Top British Airways Airfares & Flight Deals
Upgrade to British Airways Premium Cabins
Choose an Option to Book Flights with Your Favourite Airline
Flight Centre’s Travel Consultants really know their stuff when it comes to creating bespoke itineraries. Get in touch below, and let us tailor-make it easy
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I claim Avios points with the Executive Club?
Executive Club is British Airways’ own frequent flyer program. British Airways is also a member of the oneworld Alliance and frequent flyer points can be earned and redeemed on these partner carriers.
Your frequent flyer membership number can be added to your booking any time before departure, so that you can collect Avios points to spend on rewards such as upgrades.
How do I check in?
Online check in opens from 24 hours before your flight departs, where you can print, download or email your boarding pass from the British Airways website. You can also check in with the British Airways app to receive a mobile boarding pass. Alternatively, there are kiosks at the airport where you can check in and print your boarding pass, and help available at the check in desks.
Can I choose my seat in advance?
Free of charge seat selection will depend on the type of ticket you purchase. Basic tickets (economy, hand baggage only) do not include seat selection so you will be automatically allocated. However, you can opt to either pay to reserve a seat from the moment of booking or pay to change your pre-allocated seat when check in opens.
More flexible tickets allow free seat selection from 24 hours or more before departure.
Did You Know?
British Airways was voted the number one British brand in both the consumer and business Superbrands list this year.
Pickerings’s gin distillers in Edinburgh have worked with British Airways to create the world’s first gin specifically designed to be enjoyed in the sky. Our sense of taste and smell is altered at high altitudes, but Pickering’s British Airways Centenary Gin is specially crafted to taste as good (or even better!) at 30,000ft as it does on the ground.
If you suffer with a fear of flying, British Airways can help. ‘Flying with Confidence’ courses run by pilots and cabin crew with the support of a clinical psychologist, teach you tips and coping mechanisms to help stop your fear from stopping you travel.
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Your holiday
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