levibrod

Hi there. I would like if someone can help me clear up some info about ba's oversized baggage policy. Their website says 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16in) which totals 81 inches, in contrast to most airlines that measure in 62 total linear inches. So if I'm checking a keyboard that is under the weight limit, but is 80 inches total, when combining W + L + H. However it isn't 35. x 29.5 etc. But when adding it all up it's less than 81. Will they charge me an oversized fee? Also, website says you can "increase your baggage allowance" by either paying an overweight fee or taking Larger items of up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in), but States nothing about a fee; their website doesn't seem to ever mention anything about an oversized baggage fee. If someone has experience checking in musical instruments or other odd size baggage or knows what the policy is I would greatly appreciate it
Thanks in advance.

SWISSBOBBY

I dont know the absolute answer for this but check in special baggage... musical instruments

I often travel with my bike in its case and the case measures 114 x 94 x 36 cm
never an issue, I just have to deliver it to the oversize baggage desk after it has been tagged at normal check-in.

I never have to pay oversize baggage, but if I did not have 2 pieces of baggage for the trip or the correct weight allowance I would have to pay extra but only for the overweight and over piece count.

I hope this helps

SB

Vasco Pridat

Did you check for special baggage? There are different sizes for music instruments Surfboards. Etc. I brought a printer replacement part along that I put in a ski bag. 7feet long. Never had any problems with ba anywhere

levibrod

This is the only semi useful info they have on musical instruments. "If your musical instrument in its case is larger than 80 x 30 x 25cm (31 x 11 x 10in):

• It will be checked into the hold as part of your checked baggage allowance.
• Where possible, we'll try and accommodate instruments 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."

Vasco Pridat

well unless you find someone else on here who travels with your keyboard... you will probably only get semi useful answers :-)

I was just stating this so you know.. they have different dimensions for different things.. and usually dont check.. and are usually very generous.. just my experience

Globaliser

AIUI, that's because there isn't currently an oversized baggage fee. IIRC, the website used to be more explicit about this.

I also believe that the size limits apply to each dimension, ie 200 x 60 x 50 will be oversized, even though 200+60+50=310 is less than 190+75+65=330.

FrogTastic

I often travel with multiple surfboard on BA, and have never had any real issue other than staff having to double check boards were allowed.

levibrod

So I guess I'll be fine, since the keyboard measures 127 x 53 x 22 (50 x 21 x 9 inches), which, when totaled is less than their standard maximum of 90 x 75 x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16in). but then there's a section about increasing your allowance and that you can take up to 190 x 75 x 65cm (75 x 29.5 x 25.5in). So if there's no charge to take a Larger item that size, then they should just say at the outset that that is the maximum to avoid confusion. Because now it looks like there's 2 maximums but on the other hand they don't mention anything about a fee for the second maximum. (I specifically booked on BA because their baggage policy seems generous.)

Globaliser

I've never paid much attention to this, but my hazy recollection is that there used to be an oversize fee - hence my use of the word "currently" - and then (as now) if you bust the larger maximum then the item wouldn't be accepted at all. It's possible that the two sets of measurements have been left on the website because it's thought to encourage people to keep within the normal maximum size if they can. I wouldn't be surprised if that is the maximum for what can be automatically handled, so that anything bigger is going to need special routing and handling, perhaps with consequently increased risks of delay and mishandling. But, of course, it could easily have been laziness, sloppiness or oversight.

levibrod

Makes sense to discourage people to check in overly large items. Thanks for all your replies!

hk291

I am trying to find out the maximum dimensions for oversized baggage.

I spoke to BA today and they insisted to me that the 190 x 75 x 65cm size relates to sporting and musical equipment. When I asked if this was the oversized baggage limit, he repeatedly said no and it is only for sports/musical equipment. He went as far to say that they would open the box to make sure there is sports or music equipment inside.

KARFA

In terms of size limits for a normal checked bag vs oversized, this is the limit:

https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...age-allowances

And for oversized - I don't think it matters what it is:

Some more information specifically on Sporting goods and musical instruments here:

https://www.britishairways.com/en-gb...al-instruments

But it states the same again:

hk291

Thank you. I didn't think it mattered what it was either but he insisted it must be sports/musical equipment which I was surprised to hear.

flatlander

The baggage does have to go around some corners: an aircraft is basically a long box with a small hole in one side. So you can imagine a thin object can be longer and still fitting round the corner while a fatter object has to be shorter to fit around the corner.

That's part of why the dimensions are specified in the way of a sum-of-dimensions, to avoid you checking in an object that is both long, wide, and deep and cannot be loaded round the corners into the aircraft hold.

Globaliser

I'm not sure that BA uses a sum-of-dimensions approach, though. Those website pages don't say so or suggest it.