British Airways flights and information

Airline Overview

The national carrier of the UK, British Airways, often known as BA, is also the largest airline in the country. It flies to more than 550 destinations worldwide from airports across the UK, and operates more transatlantic flights from Europe than any other airline. Its hubs are London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. In 2008, BA moved to capitalise on the liberalisation of transatlantic air travel between Europe and the US by launching its new subsidiary OpenSkies, which takes its name from the historic EU-US aviation treaty. On November 13, 2009, British Airways and Iberia Airlines made a preliminary agreement to merge.

 

Telephone

Reservations and general enquiries: 0844 493 0787 (6am - 8pm daily).

How to find the best deals for British Airways flights

BA has frequent seat sales, which are widely advertised and well worth booking the moment they are announced in order to get the best selection of dates and prices.  Apart from seat sales, BA nearly always has a Special Offers section, which might also include a promotion from a hotel chain or car hire company. Seats are bookable up to one year in advance. The lowest fares are sold subject to limited availability, so generally fares will be more expensive if you book close to your intended departure date. When booking long-haul journeys, include a Saturday night if possible. BA promises that the lowest retail British Airways fare is always available through its website. If you make a booking on ba.com and then a lower British Airways fare is found on another travel website in the UK on the same day of purchase, BA will refund you the difference between the two fares.

Back to top

Check-in

BA recommends online check-in (and printing off a boarding pass) via BA.com, which can be done from 24 hours before your flight. Checking-in times vary according to airport. At London Heathrow and Gatwick airports the desks close 45 minutes before the flight departs, while in smaller airports this can be as late as 20 minutes. "Fast bag drop" machines are available in many airports to drop off any hold luggage if you've checked in online or used one of the self-service check-in kiosks.

Back to top

Baggage

Hand luggage: each passenger can carry one standard sized bag (56 x 45 x 25cm) and one laptop-sized bag, handbag or briefcase. Size restrictions include handles, pockets and wheels, and can be verified at the gauge in the check-in area.

Checked: varies by destination. For all routes except Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and direct connections between India and the USA, or Bermuda and Canada, the free checked allowance is one bag with a maximum weight of 23kg and maximum dimensions of 90 x 75 x 43cm. For the above exceptions, the free checked allowance is two standard-sized bags, which are subject to the same weight restrictions.

Excess: a flat fee of £30 is applied to bags weighing 23 - 32kg, or exceeding the standard size dimensions by up to 240 x 75 x 65cm. Long-haul customers with a single bag allowance who wish to carry a second item of luggage must pay £40, while a third item costs £90. Extra bags on domestic routes cost £35 each.

Back to top

Legroom

Seat pitch: 30 - 37 inches.

Back to top

Pre-assigned Seating

All passengers can reserve their seat 24 hours before departure via online check-in. For people travelling with young children (2 – 11 years old), the allocation process opens three days before departure.

Back to top

Passenger Change Details

Name changes are not permitted, though corrections will be considered. Depending on the type of fare (restricted, non-upgradeable or non-refundable), the date and time of the flight can be changed online at the 'Manage My Booking' section or by calling the reservations number. It can cost between £50 and $250USD per transaction, plus any difference in the cost of the fare.

 

Back to top

Child Fares

Discounted fares for children aged 2 to 11 are available on most long-haul routes and some short-haul routes, though rates vary. Infants (up to two years) travel for 10 per cent of the adult fare on any of the routes, as long as they are seated on an adult's lap.

Back to top

Pets

Pets must be carried by British Airways World Cargo and travel in the hold. Guide dogs will be carried free of charge in the cabin on most routes - call the reservations number to book. No pets are permitted on flights from Germany, Austria and Denmark.

Back to top

Carrying Musical Instruments

Musical instruments can be carried on the aircraft as standard carry-on items if they are guitar-sized or smaller. Larger items must normally be checked in, though it may be possible to buy a separate seat for them.

Back to top

In-flight Service

You wouldn't be flying BA if you didn't get a pretty tasty in-flight meal. British Airways take their food so seriously that they've even created their own "culinary council", the members of which, including Michel Roux, design the in-flight menus. A full entertainment programme is also available on mid and long-haul flights.

Back to top

Air Miles

British Airways Executive Club.

Back to top

Airline Food Link

Read reviews from fellow flyers and see photographs of BA meals at AirlineMeals.net.

Back to top

In-flight Magazine

BA's in-flight magazine, High Life, is available on all flights.

See Cheapflights' review of the magazine on Cheap Flight News.

Back to top

Airline Alliances

BA is a member of the oneworld alliance.

Back to top

British Airways
Search by date

* Required

Ticket Type
Link to Calendar
Link to Calendar

Top flight deals

Subscribe

Weekly travel deal alerts!

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest travel deals as they happen.
TRUSTe Logo
(Enter ROI if you live in the Rep. Ireland)
We do not share your information with third parties and have a spam free policy. See our privacy policy

Follow us on

Up to the minute travel deals and discussions