Airline Overview

The national carrier of the UK, British Airways, often known as BA, is also the largest airline in the country. It flies to more than 500 destinations worldwide from airports across the UK and operates the most transatlantic flights from Europe of any airline. Its hubs are London Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. In 2008, BA, capitalising on the liberalisation of transatlantic air travel between Europe and the US, launched its new subsidiary OpenSkies.

BA recommends online check-in (and printing off a boarding pass) via BA.com. There are check-in kiosks at several airports. Checking-in times vary according to airport. The shortest is 20 minutes before departure at the smaller airports or 45 minutes for most long-haul flights. You can also check-in online or with the self-service machines at the airport. "Fast bag drop" machines are available in many airports to drop off any hold luggage if you've used online or self-service check-in.

Hand luggage: two pieces per passenger - a standard-sized bag with maximum dimensions of 56 x 45 x 25cm including wheels, pockets and handles and a laptop-sized bag, handbag or briefcase. The maximum bag weight is 23kg and passengers should be able to store their luggage in the overhead locker.

Checked: varies by destination. For domestic UK routes and all international travel except the Americas and Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, the free checked allowance is one bag with a maximum weight of 23kg and maximum linear dimensions of 158cm (length + width + height). For American destinations (USA, Canada, Bermuda, Brazil, Mexico, Caribbean and Central America) and Nigeria, the free checked allowance is two bags, each with maximum dimensions of 158cm and maximum weight 23kg.

Excess: from November 2008, a flat fee of ¡ê25 will be applied to bags weighing more than 23kg. Until then BA accepts a single piece of baggage weighing up to 32kg without charge. A bag weighing more than 32kg will not be accepted as checked baggage.

Seats can be reserved online when you make your reservation or when you check-in.

Name changes are not permitted. Depending on the type of fare (restricted, non-upgradeable or non-refundable for example), the date and time of the flight can be changed online at the "Manage my Booking" section or by calling the reservations number. It can cost between ¡ê30 and ¡ê50 per transaction, plus any difference in the cost of the fare.

Yes, on long-haul routes. Children (aged 2 to 11) are charged 75 per cent of the adult fare. Infants (up to two years) travel for 10 per cent of the adult fare on any of the routes, if they are travelling on an adult's lap.

Pets must be carried by British Airways World Cargo and travel in the hold. Guide dogs will be carried free of charge in the cabin on most routes - call the reservations number to book.

You wouldn't be flying BA if you didn't get a pretty tasty in-flight meal. British Airways take their food so seriously that they've even created their own "culinary council", the members of which, including Michel Roux, design the in-flight menus.

British Airways Executive Club.

BA is a member of the oneworld alliance.