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British Airways has, for many years, offered an overnight bag drop facility at London Gatwick and Heathrow Terminal 5.
This allows passengers to check in and drop off their bags the night before their flight. The service was reinstated post COVID-19.
There have been a few recent changes to the timings of the overnight bag drop facility and rules for checking in bags for passengers not present.
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Heathrow Terminals 3 & 5
At Heathrow, overnight bag drop is now available at both Terminals 3 & 5.
It is now only available for flights departing before 10:00 the next day, rather than 13:00.
You can drop off your bags between 16:00 and 22:00 the day before at Terminal 5 and between 16:00 and 22:00 the day before at Terminal 3.
Gatwick South Terminal
At Gatwick, overnight bag drop remains available between 18:00 and 21:00 for flights departing before 13:00 the next day.
Dropping Off Bags For Others
BA no longer requires all passengers in the booking to be present when bags are dropped off the night before travel.
You can drop off bags for other passengers on your booking without them being present.
This is provided you bring all of their required documentation such as passports.
Full details of the facility are available on ba.com.
BA may amend or withdraw this facility at any time. It may also not be available during disruption, where it’s best not to use it in any event!
Also remember once you’ve checked in your bags they can’t be retrieved, so you won’t seem them again until you arrive at your destination.