Sporting equipment
If you are planning to travel with sporting equipment, please remember the bag containing this equipment can be checked and it will be assessed as part of your ticketed allowance. BA will accept sporting equipment provided it is packed appropriately (to avoid damage). The usual provisions for status and bulky/overweight items apply.
In practice, the rule for bicycles usually follows "if it looks like a bike bag then we take it no matter what size it is (within reason)". The 190 cm rule still applies, but the other, lesser dimensions are not usually taken into consideration.
There are a number of restrictions on what equipment can be carried. These are listed on ba.com, see
here
Musical instruments
Musical instruments can be taken on board as part of your free hand baggage allowance providing they fit within the maximum bag dimensions. Where possible, BA crew do try to accommodate instruments that are slightly larger.
Larger instruments can be carried as part of your free checked baggage allowance or as part of an additional purchased allowance if required. BA will carry instruments larger and heavier than the standard checked baggage limits, up to 45 kg (99 lb) and 190 x 75 x 65 cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5 in), providing you notify BA at least 24 hours before your flight. Instruments exceeding your bag weight allowance may incur a heavy bag charge.
It may also be possible to purchase an extra seat for your instrument, depending on availability. A double bass cannot be accommodated in any cabin. However it can be accepted as checked baggage. This will be part of your checked baggage allowance so again, excess baggage charges may apply.
Firearms, ammunition, and other restricted items
All firearms (including replica and decommissioned) and ammunition are restricted under UK law and may be carried only with advanced notification and with the appropriate licences and documentation.
See ba.com for more information about travelling with
firearms and ammunition as well as details on other restricted items.
It is worth noting that current Comair policy is that firearms, sporting rifles, spear guns and crossbows are not accepted at all for carriage. This includes toy guns, including the kind that you might buy for kids in funfairs - this has caused tears on more than one occasion.