Sporting goods and musical instruments

Bikes

You can take non-motorised bicycles of up to 190cm (75in) in length as part of your checked baggage allowance, provided:

• You let us know by calling our contact centre at least 72 hours or more before your flight to tell us that you are bringing your bike with you, no matter what cabin you are travelling in. We also need to know how big its container is and, if possible, how much it weighs so we can tell our baggage team. This is especially important if you are travelling to a cycling event or with a group of cyclists. We have limited hold space on our smaller aircraft so, by letting us know, it will be more likely that your bike will travel on your flight with you, although this is not guaranteed.
• Your bike is packed in a protective bicycle cover/box that is no larger than 190 x 95 x 65cm (75 x 37.5 x 25.5in) to reduce the risk of damage. This can be a heavy-duty polythene bike bag, padded case or hard shell. If in a non-rigid bag, please make sure the handlebars are fixed sideways, and the pedals are removed or fixed inwards, so they don't stick out. It is also sensible to reduce tyre pressures.

When you have booked your flight, remember to call and let us know the size and weight of the bike you are bringing, so we can be ready to accept it.

Diving equipment

You can take the following diving equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it is packed in a recognised kit bag and does not exceed the maximum dimensions and weight restrictions for checked baggage:

• scuba regulator
• tank harness
• tank pressure gauge (pressure-sensitive devices may need special packaging; refer to the manufacturer for advice)
• face mask
• fins
• buoyancy control device
• snorkel
• weight belt
• cylinder tank (must be empty and presented at check-in for inspection)
• spear guns and harpoons (must be unloaded with the spear/harpoon packed separately)

If you need to take diving lamps, please contact us at least 24 hours before you travel to get approval. Once approved, please remove the bulb or fuse and pack it separately from the power source in your hand or checked baggage.

Golf clubs and umbrellas

You can take your golf equipment as part of your checked baggage, provided it does not exceed the maximum weight restrictions for checked baggage and is packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage. This bag can be up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in).

If you carry your golf umbrella or parasol separately it will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance.

Firearms and ammunition

We will accept firearms and ammunition as hold baggage only under very specific conditions.

Requirements for travelling with firearms and ammunition as hold baggage

Ski and snowboarding equipment

You can take your skis or snowboard equipment as checked baggage, provided it is packed correctly and within your baggage allowance.

• Use a bag made for skis or snowboards to carry your equipment. This bag can be no longer than 190cm in length due to airport and aircraft baggage systems restrictions.
• Your skis/snowboard and boots can be packed in the same checked baggage with your clothes as long as it doesn't exceed the maximum dimensions of 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) and weighs no more than your weight allowance. If the weight is exceeded, you’ll be charged extra at the airport.
• If you pack your boots separately from your skis or snowboard, your boot-bag can be carried as cabin baggage if it fits into our hand-baggage gauge. If it doesn't fit, it must be checked in, so make sure you know your baggage allowance.

If you're travelling on a hand baggage only (Basic) fare you will need to pay extra to check in any additional bags. It doesn't matter what is in these bags, if they're being checked in, you will have to pay extra.

For safety reasons you are not allowed to board the aircraft wearing your ski boots.

Surfboards and kayaks

You can take surfboards and kayaks with paddles as part of your checked baggage provided they don't exceed the maximum weight restrictions, are max. 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in) and packed in a recognised bag or case to safeguard against damage.

If your bag exceeds your piece allowance you may need to pay an extra bag charge or, if it is more than the free weight allowed, an overweight baggage charge.

Larger surfboards, kayaks, canoes and paddles need to be sent as cargo with our partner IAG Cargo.

Sporting rackets and sticks

You can only take sports rackets and games sticks on our aircraft in your checked baggage in the hold. We recommend that they are packed in a bag or case that offers suitable protection.

Items such as tennis or squash rackets, fishing rods, billiard/snooker/pool cues and hockey sticks are not allowed as part of your hand baggage as:

• They are generally over the 56cm limit on length of hand baggage.
• They are not permitted through many airport security points across our network, so you will be asked to check them into the hold on all our flights, even those within the UK.

Any racket or stick carried separately counts as one item of baggage so please check your baggage allowance.

More about taking extra bags

Banned and restricted sports equipment

Some sports and recreational equipment, such as Hover Boards, is restricted or prohibited, and you might need to contact us for approval first.

More about banned and restricted items

Smaller musical instruments in their case up to 80cm in length can be carried as hand baggage

Instruments such as violins, violas or small wind instruments, can be carried in the cabin as part of, but not in addition to, your free hand baggage allowance, so long as the case is within the dimensions of 80 x 45 x 25cm [31 x 18 x 10in].
This means you can have a small handbag/laptop size bag as well as your smaller musical instrument case, up to 80cm in length, as your second piece of hand baggage. Our airport staff will make every effort to find space in the cabin for musical instruments within the above dimensions, as we know extreme temperatures and extra handling may cause damage in the hold.

Musical instruments up to 140cm in length can be bought a seat in the cabin

An instrument in its case measuring up to 140 x 50 x 40cm [55 x 20 x 16in], such as a guitar, a larger wind instrument or a cello, can be carried in the cabin if you buy an extra seat for it by contacting us at least 24 hours before your flight - this is subject to seat availability. Otherwise, these instruments will travel in the hold as part of your checked baggage allowance . You can pay to take more checked bags in the hold than your allowance.

Large musical instruments in the hold

We’ll make every effort to accommodate a large instrument, such as a double bass, with dimensions in its case of up to 190 x 75 x 65cm [75 x 29.5 x 25.5in] in the hold, provided you notify us at least 24 hours before your flight. If your instrument weights more than 23kg you might need to pay an overweight baggage charge. The maximum weight of musical instruments we can carry is 45kg (99lb).

Guitars

Guitars are not accepted in the cabin as hand baggage as they are too big for the available stowage. You may be able to buy an extra seat, to ensure that your guitar travels next to you, if there are appropriate seats available. As it is not possible to do this online, please contact us or your travel agent at least 24 hours before your flight departs.

You can take your guitar as checked baggage. It must be packed into a hard or rigid guitar case to protect it as it will travel in the hold. It will count as one item of your checked baggage allowance. We cannot accept any guitar in a soft, non-rigid case in the hold as we want to ensure your instrument arrives safely. If you don’t have a protective hard or rigid guitar case, you must buy a seat for your guitar at least 24 hours before your flight.

On some direct long haul journeys, with no connections to short haul flights, we may be able to accept your guitar in place of your larger piece of hand baggage if you are travelling in our Club World or First cabin. However, there needs to be safe cabin stowage space available on the day so, unfortunately, we cannot guarantee it.

If you have bought a seat in the cabin for your guitar, you will need extra time to secure it in place. To avoid flight delays, you'll be able to board before other passengers. We recommend that your guitar is carried in a hard or rigid case for protection. Please make your way to your boarding gate as soon as it is announced and make yourself known to the gate team. 

How to secure your guitar on board

Cellos

Depending on availability, you may be able to purchase an extra seat next to you to secure your cello. It's not possible to do this online so please contact us or your travel agent at least 24 hours before your flight departs.

If you arrive at the airport and haven't booked an extra seat in advance, please speak to a British Airways representative. If there are seats available in the cabin you are travelling in, you may be able to buy an extra seat. Otherwise you will need to check your instrument in.

If you have bought a seat in the cabin for your cello, you will need extra time to secure it in place. To avoid flight delays, you'll be able to board before other passengers. Please make your way to your boarding gate as soon as it is announced and make yourself known to the gate team.

How to secure your cello on board

Double basses

We cannot accommodate double basses on board so please check them into the hold. This will be part of your checked baggage allowance and extra bag charges may apply. Please contact us at least 24 hours before your flight departs to discuss your requirements.