British Airways to reduce size of handbag/laptop bags on flights

British Airways said the changes will 'help to speed up the boarding process'. Credit: PA

With the summer holiday season fully underway, British Airways (BA) passengers face tighter restrictions on the size of their hand luggage as part of changes to inclusive baggage allowances.

In the next few weeks, the airline will reduce the maximum size of the handbag/laptop bags to 40cm x 30cm x 15cm (16in x 12in x 6in) for economy and premium economy travellers.

The current "personal bag" allowance is 45cm x 36cm x 20cm (18in x 14in x 8in).

The move comes in response to "an increase in customers travelling with hand baggage that exceeds their allowance", the airline said.

The current maximum cabin 'personal bag' allowance on British Airways Credit: British Airways

The size of the additional cabin bag remains unchanged and should be no larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22in x 18in x 10in) and can weigh up to 23kgs (51lb), BA added.

Passenger who travel with hand baggage which is outside of their allowance will be asked to check it into the hold.

First and Club World travellers are not affected by the changes.