British Airways Baggage Policy: San Francisco to London
British Airways allows 1 carry-on and 1 personal item for free, both with a generous 51 lbs (23 kg) weight limit. Standard Economy includes 1 free checked bag, while Basic Economy charges around $70-$75 for the first bag on long-haul flights.
Baggage Allowance Summary
| Airline | British Airways (BA) |
|---|---|
| Route | San Francisco (SFO) to London (LON) |
| Nonstop | Yes |
| Carry-On | 22x18x10 inches (56x45x25 cm), 51 lbs (23 kg) max |
| Personal Item | 1 personal item: 16x12x6 inches (40x30x15 cm), up to 51 lbs (23 kg). Includes handbag or laptop bag. |
| Checked Bag Allowance | Basic Economy: 0 bags. Economy: 1 bag (23 kg). Premium Economy: 2 bags (23 kg each). Business: 2 bags (32 kg each). First: 3 bags (32 kg each). |
| First Bag Fee | $70-$75 for long-haul Basic Economy, free for standard Economy |
| Second Bag Fee | $90-$100 for long-haul flights |
| Overweight Fee | $100 USD / £65 GBP / €75 EUR for bags 23-32 kg |
| Oversized Fee | $100 USD / £65 GBP / €75 EUR for bags over standard dimensions up to 190 x 75 x 65cm |
| Max Weight | 23 kg (Economy) / 32 kg (Business/First) |
| Max Dimensions | 90 x 75 x 43 cm (35 x 30 x 17 inches) |
| Free Bag in Economy | Yes |
Route-Specific Tips: San Francisco to London
- BA includes 1 free checked bag (23kg) in Economy on SFO-LHR.
- BA operates from the International Terminal at SFO.
- Club World passengers get 2 bags (32kg each) — useful for the 10.5-hour eastbound flight.
- BA's Executive Club members (Bronze+) get priority bag delivery at Heathrow.
International Rules
Economy allowance increases to 2 free bags (23 kg each) for flights to/from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and between Europe and Japan.
Tips to Avoid Fees
1. Book standard Economy instead of Basic Economy for a free checked bag. 2. Pay for extra bags online in advance to save compared to airport prices. 3. Join Executive Club (Silver/Gold) or Oneworld (Sapphire/Emerald) for extra baggage allowance. 4. Take advantage of the generous 23kg carry-on weight limit to avoid checking bags.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does British Airways include free checked bags San Francisco to London?
- Yes. Economy: 1 bag (23kg), Premium Economy: 2 bags (23kg), Business: 2 bags (32kg), First: 3 bags (32kg).
- What terminal does BA use at SFO?
- British Airways operates from the International Terminal (Terminal I) at San Francisco International Airport.
- Is BA's baggage policy the same from SFO as from other US cities?
- Yes. British Airways applies identical baggage allowances on all US-to-London routes.
- How much does an extra bag cost on BA SFO to Heathrow?
- Second bag: $65-100 online. At the airport, fees are higher. Business/First passengers already have 2-3 bags included.