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British Airways, also commonly known as BA, was founded in 1973 and comprises the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom. The airline has two hubs strategically situated in London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. British Airways is the largest airline in the United Kingdom in terms of flight size and the second largest when measured by passengers carried, the first being easyJet in this case. The airline is also the second largest airline in Europe, after Air France.

British Airways Plc and a number of subsidiaries make up the British Airways Group, formed in 1972. British Airways has many airline partners and codeshare agreements. In addition, being a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance has allowed British Airways to collectively serve more than 600 destinations worldwide. Finally, following the merger of British Airways and Spanish airline Iberia in January 2011, one of the world's largest airline groups was formed, the International Airlines Group, IAG.

The airline offers four different ways to check-in. Passengers with a British Airways booking can check-in online from 24 hours prior to scheduled flight departure and print out their boarding pass. Travellers may also check-in using the British Airways mobile app then download their boarding pass on their mobile. Alternatively, it is possible to check-in and print out boarding passes at the airport kiosks or at the airport check-in desk. Those with hand luggage can proceed directly to airport security whilst passengers with checked baggage need to pass by the bag drop desk.

On BA flights passengers are entitled to one item of hand luggage in addition to a laptop case or handbag. The cabin baggage must weigh up to 23kg and not measure more than 56cm x 45cm x 25 cm. Similarly, handbags and laptop cases must not exceed the dimensions of 45cm x 36cm x 20cm.

The British Airways checked baggage allowance varies in accordance with the passengers' class of travel as follows:

• Economy Class (UK Domestic, Euro Traveller, World Traveller, Eco) - 1 item of checked baggage weighing a max 23kg.
• Premium Economy Class (World Traveller Plus, Prem Plus) - 2 items of checked baggage weighing a maximum 23kg each.
• Business and First Class: Club Europe members are entitled to 2 items of checked baggage weighing a maximum 32kg each whilst Club World. Club World London City, Biz Bed and First members are allowed 3 checked bags weighing 23kg each.

Additional allowances apply for frequent flyers and there are exceptions on flights to Brazil, and flights to and from Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. With a British Airways booking different checked baggage allowances also apply to connecting journeys originating in Saudi Arabia going to the USA, Bermuda or Canada as well as connecting journeys between India, the USA, Bermuda and Canada.

• Airline name: British Airways
• IATA code: BA
• Founded: 1974
• Headquarters: Waterside, Harmondsworth, United Kingdom
• Website: www.ba com

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