British Airways vs Ryanair
Side-by-side comparison of British Airways and Ryanair: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United Kingdom
Ireland| British Airways | Ryanair | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | Ireland |
| Founded | 1974 | 1985 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Low-cost carrier |
| Alliance | oneworld | - |
| Main hubs | Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport | London Stansted Airport |
| Aircraft types | 10 | 2 |
| Cabin bag weight | 23 kg (51 lb) | 10 kg (22 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) | 55 × 40 × 20 cm (22 × 16 × 8 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) | not included |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | - |
| Extra bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | - |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 2 h |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +44 20 8738 5050 | +353 1 691 7177 |
Key differences
- British Airways allows a heavier cabin bag: 23 kg (51 lb) vs 10 kg (22 lb) at Ryanair.
- British Airways lets you check in online closer to departure (1 h vs 2 h).
- Ryanair is a low-cost carrier: expect a cheaper base fare with bags, seats and airport check-in sold separately, while British Airways bundles more into the ticket.
- British Airways is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.