British Airways has introduced new carry-on baggage guidelines, a direct response to customers increasingly travelling with carry-on baggage that exceed current guidelines.

From August 18, each customer’s personal handbag or laptop bag must be no larger than 40x30x15cm. The current allowance is 45x36x20cm.

The carrier will continue allowing passengers to travel with two pieces of carry-on luggage; the size of the second, main cabin bag remains unchanged at 56x45x25cm.

Passengers travelling in World Traveller (economy) or World Traveller Plus (premium economy) cabins will be given a yellow tag for their handbag or laptop bags, which confirms that the bag is within the new limits and guarantees that it will be allowed onbaord.

Passengers whose hand luggage exceeds the new specifications will be asked to check their bags; on busy flights where overhead bins are full, passengers may also be asked to check bags without yellow tags into the hold.

“We know that customers want their flights to leave on time, so we are looking at a number of initiatives to help us maintain punctuality. We are asking customers to help us achieve this by adhering to our hand baggage allowance,” said a BA spokesperson. “We will continue to offer a generous two-bag allowance. The dimensions of the cabin bag will remain the same, while we are reducing the size of the second laptop or handbag, so that it will fit underneath the sit in front. Customers will always be able to take this bag onboard, even if the flight is very busy.”

On August 18, the airline will also change the way in which passengers board their flight. The new boarding system will allow premium cabin and high-status Executive Club members to board first, in descending order of precedence. Last to board will be World Traveller (economy) customers, who will board by seat row number. www.ba.com