How to contact British Airways customer service?
The primary way to contact British Airways customer service is via their call center: +0344 493 0787. However, during peak call times, turning to direct messaging on social media may yield quicker responses. For detailed discussions of complex issues, sending an e-mail is often the best option.
This guide will empower you with effective tactics to elicit prompt responses from British Airways customer service. From the ground up, let’s explore your options. Depending on the nature of your query, several channels are at your disposal:
Automated phone systems are widespread today. Trying to skip their automated menus by saying “agent” (or anything else) can only make your call longer. Instead, state your purpose slowly and clearly to ensure you’re directed to the appropriate queue.
Operating hours across British Airways support channels
- British Airways primary call center number +0344 493 0787 operates 8:00 AM – 21:45 PM.
- British Airways live chat offers continuous assistance – the British Airways Virtual Assistant chatbot is ready to interact with passengers 24/7.
- Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook operate 24/7, allowing passengers worldwide to ask questions or report issues at any time. While responses might not be instantaneous, British Airways usually aims to respond swiftly, often within a few hours.
- britishairways.com website offers help and contact pages – available for passengers 24/7.
- customer service desks at airports are designed to aid passengers who prefer face-to-face assistance. British Airways help desks operate according to each airport’s hours.
Fly with any airline.
Pay 40-80% less for your flight.
- Amazing deals to 200+ destinations in Asia
- Departures from US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia
- Each deal is 40%–80% cheaper than the regular price
Join 80,000 savvy travelers — it’s free!
Real human help
How to talk to a live person at British Airways?
To reach a live person at British Airways, you can use most of their communication channels – call center, local offices, live chat, social media, emails, or airport service desk. Each route ensures interaction with human operators, either immediately or after an initial automated response.
- When you dial British Airways call center number, you’ll be connected to a human operator. Initially, you might interact with an automated Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system – designed to guide you to the most suitable department (and to put you on hold if the lines are busy). However, once the line is free, you will be connected to a real person.
- Reach out to your local British Airways office – it is probably the best way to talk to a real person. As they handle fewer calls, you’ll experience much shorter waiting times.
- Web chat is slightly different as it often employs technologies like AI bots to provide a simulated “chatbot operator”. However, British Airways customer care team member is always ready to intervene. To connect with a real person, type phrases like “talk to human” or “live agent”.
- Message British Airways on their social media platforms (use Twitter DM or Facebook Messenger). Although initial interaction may also be with a bot, a human operator will usually step in for complex issues.
- If you’re at the airport, check if the airline has a service desk on-site. Pay a visit to speak to a representative in person.
British Airways international contacts
International customer service can handle your booking just like the main call center. Instead of competing for time with the hotline in United Kingdom, jump the line by dialing those in other countries — Canada, Thailand, UEA, US, Qatar — for example. Travelers report that the British Airways support in those countries has much shorter wait times, sometimes just a few minutes.
As a last resort, head for the foreign language-speaking call center. It will help if you are comfortable with that language, but there’s a chance that the hotline staff also speaks English.
| Country | British Airways Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Australia | +61 1300 767 177 |
| Canada | +1800 - 2479297 |
| China | +400 881 0207 |
| Japan | +03 3298 5238 |
| Malaysia | +603 7712 4747 |
| New Zealand | +09 966 9777 |
| Saudi Arabia | +966 92 000 2215 |
| Singapore | +65 6622 1747 |
| South Korea | +02-3483-3337 |
| USA | +1-800-247-9297 |
British Airways urgent/emergency phone numbers
In case of an emergency related to the British Airways flight, call this number: +0344 493 0787 (hotline in UK).
If you are in a different country, refer to the “International Contacts” section above for your local phone number.
These are the general customer service phone numbers as British Airways does not provide a separate number for emergency situations. However, the airline representatives will be able to assist you with urgent issues such as flight cancellations, ticket changes, lost passports, etc.
If phone lines are busy, initiate simultaneous conversations through Twitter DM (@British_Airways) and Facebook Messenger to increase your chances of a prompt response.
Call for free
Toll-free British Airways hotline
Only some phone numbers provided by British Airways are toll-free: +01800 0129688( Colombia), +0800 0440 141 (Costa rica), +34 900 031 073 (Spain), +001 800 4415 906 (Thailand). They are free from landline phone in the same country or region. However, charges may apply if you call British Airways toll-free hotline from a mobile phone or a different country.
In the United States and Canada, toll-free numbers typically begin with 800, 888, 877, 866, 855, 844, or 833. In most cases, they can also be called from anywhere worldwide using an American cell phone by dialing +1 followed by the 8xx number.
In other countries, toll-free numbers vary due to different regulations. In Europe, toll-free numbers usually begin with 0800 (or 0808 in the UK – “freephone numbers”). The same 0800 prefix is used in China, South Africa, Argentina, and Brazil. The 1800 format is prevalent in Australia, New Zealand, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand (which also uses 001-800). In Japan, “Free Dial” numbers typically start with 0120, while in Indonesia, it’s 001-803.
Say goodbye
to expensive airfares!
Save hundreds on flights — explore amazing deals from hundreds of departure cities across the globe.
British Airways WhatsApp number
Currently, British Airways does not provide a dedicated WhatsApp number. However, you can use Wi-Fi calling or VoIP services instead of WhatsApp to bypass high roaming charges for international calls to British Airways numbers.
Wi-Fi calling lets you place phone calls via a Wi-Fi network rather than a cellular network, much like WhatsApp, helping you avoid any roaming charges. Most carriers and smartphones support Wi-Fi calling, but you’ll need to enable it in your phone’s settings. Please note that Wi-Fi calling is restricted in countries like China, Egypt, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.
VoIP apps like Skype, Viber, Google Voice or Talkatone are another way to call British Airways international numbers cheaply. In a manner similar to WhatsApp, they tap into the internet to place calls. While not free, these services offer competitively low rates for calls to both landlines and mobile phones. Costs generally range between $0.01 and $0.20 per minute, subject to the country and service provider being called.
In 2017, the EU has abolished roaming charges within its territory. If you’re within the EU and you place a call to a British Airways number located in the EU, it will be priced as domestic call — with a capped cost of 19 cents (plus VAT) per minute.
British Airways phone numbers by city
Your regional British Airways helpline often has more specific knowledge about local airports, regulations, and services. They may be able to provide more detailed and relevant information.
Most agents have good English proficiency. The regional lines will likely have representatives who are also fluent in the local language; if you feel more comfortable communicating in your first language, look for the phone number for your nearest location.
Calling a regional center means you’re likely calling within your time zone — this can make it easier to reach someone during business hours.
| City | British Airways Phone Number |
|---|---|
| Beijing | +400-881-0207 |
| Kuala Lumpur | +603 7712 4747 |
| New York | +1-800-247-9297 |
| Riyadh | +966 92 000 2215 |
| Seoul | +3483-3337 |
| Singapore | +65 6622 1747 |
| Sydney | +61 1300 767 177 |
| Tokyo | +03 3298 5238 |
| Toronto | +1800 - 2479297 |
| Wellington | +09 966 9777 |
When to call
Best times to call British Airways
To decrease on-hold times, try to call British Airways at off-peak times during the middle of the week (Tuesday to Thursday). The earlier in the day you call, the less you’ll have to wait.
Experienced customers suggest the best time to call British Airways is early morning, from 4 am to 7 am (as per the call center’s local time), for 24/7 hotlines or just as the call center commences operations. Remember to adjust for any time differences.
The evening hours and weekends typically encounter the highest traffic and should be avoided.
Third-party apps like DoNotPay can save you time by placing a call and enduring hold times on your behalf. By using tricks, the app tries to get a human on the line quickly (it has built a database of priority customer service numbers). Then it calls you back and connects you to the agent. DoNotPay is a paid service and currently supports US numbers only (expansion to other countries is underway).
British Airways email address
British Airways does not offer a direct email address or an email form for customer support. Instead, they recommend passengers to seek immediate assistance through their live chat, social media channels, or by calling their customer service line at +0344 493 0787.
You may also use help section on the britishairways.com website.
While British Airways‘s customer service isn’t directly accessible via email, an alternative is to reach out to their local offices. Some of these branches openly share their email addresses online, providing an alternative route for correspondence.
Regional email addresses
You can find a list of British Airways regional email addresses below:
| Country | British Airways Email Address |
|---|---|
| Egypt | nalsupport@ba.com |
| Philippines | ba.manila@ba.com |
| South Korea | sel.sales@ba.com |
| Thailand | contactba.bkk@ba.com |
| Tunisia | contactcairo@ba.com |
| South Korea | sel.sales@ba.com |
Email addresses by department
If your inquiry go beyond general customer support, contacting a specific department within the airline may be necessary. We’ve compiled these special-purpose email addresses in the table below. Nonetheless, always respect the contact methods provided by British Airways — only reach out to the relevant department for your inquiry.
| Country | British Airways Email Address |
|---|---|
| Executive Club | callba.executiveclub@ba.com |
| Cargo | ebookingsupport@iagcargo.com |
If you want to send an email to one of British Airways’s employees, try the popular email format used by many companies: First.Last@britishairways.com. For example, to email Jane Doe who works at the airline, use Jane.Doe@britishairways.com.
British Airways sales and ticketing offices
British Airways ticketing and sales offices are often found in major cities and airports. They provide essential services such as ticket reservations, flight rescheduling, cancellations, frequent flyer award tickets, and information about various services offered by the airline. When you encounter a problem with your booking that can’t be resolved online, the sales office is the right place to seek assistance.
Here’s the list of British Airways offices and regional branches around the world:
| City (Country) | British Airways Office Address / Phone |
|---|---|
| Kuwait | Dar Al Awadi Complex, Mezannine Floor |
| Maldives | Voyages Maldives Pvt Ltd "Narugis" |
| Mexico | Mexico City International Airport |
| Morroco | Iberia & British Airways |
| Panama | Av. Balboa y Calle 43 |
| Philippines | GSA - HT&T Travel Philippines Inc. |
| Qatar | Bldg # 166 |
| Thailand | British Airways General Sales Agent (service fee applies) |
| United Arab Emirates | Omeir Travel Agency |
| Vietnam | 2nd Floor, 170-172 Nam Ky Khoi |
British Airways live chat (meet British Airways Virtual Assistant)
British Airways live chat (“British Airways Virtual Assistant”) is a fast way to get help from the airline 24/7. It features a simple chatbot British Airways Virtual Assistant that can provide answers to some popular questions and handle common issues. Since it lacks modern A.I. capabilities, for more complex issues, you will be redirected to a live agent — a human customer service representative.
British Airways British Airways Virtual Assistant bot is a computer program designed to communicate with people via messages on online chats. It is a virtual assistant, instantly, untiredly responding to customers’ inquiries 24/7. The quality of answers is quite satisfactory for popular questions and common problems such as flight reservations, ticket changes, flight status checks, purchasing an extra baggage, or even getting a refund.
Being just a simple, automated software, British Airways Virtual Assistant bot can’t solve all the problems though. When faced with complex queries that it can’t tackle, it will seamlessly connect you with the live agent, an actual British Airways support representative. If you want to skip the conversation with a bot entirely, use phrases like “speak with a human” or “talk to a live agent” — they will usually trigger the transfer.
To access the British Airways webchat and talk to a live agent, visit the airline’s website.
For security reasons, live chat agents cannot proces sensitive payment information. To make purchases (like ticket changes or additional baggage), you’ll be redirected to a secure payment portal or advised to call British Airways directly.
Feedback: How to file a formal complaint?
To formally lodge a complaint with British Airways, begin by using the carrier’s designated feedback channels. Detailed instructions for reporting problems can be found on their official website. Retain all pertinent documents — boarding passes, receipts, tickets, and email correspondences — as they may be needed to support your case.
British Airways does not provide an email address that could be used to send a feedback or compalints. To file a formal complaint, you can use the online form on the britishairways.com website. Remember to include the necessary details, clearly stating the nature of your complaint. British Airways will reply to your complaint within a few working days.
If your complaint isn’t addressed satisfactorily, you may escalate it by writing a detailed letter outlining your complaint and the resolution you seek. Send it to this postal address:
—
British Airways
Customer Relations (S506)
PO Box 1126
Uxbridge
UB8 9XS
United Kingdom
If all else fails, email the CEO. Write a polite complaint email briefly explaining your situation and kindly requesting their assistance. While the CEO may not personally respond, their team usually takes prompt action. Often, the outcome can be even better than what you had hoped for. Use services like Hunter.io or Spokeo to find the email address of the British Airways CEO.
Aviation Consumer Protection
Escalate your issue to the ombudsman
If you are unsatisfied with how British Airways settles your complaint, you can contact your country’s Airline Customer Advocate (ACA) body. The ACA works as “the ombudsman” — an official appointed to investigate individuals’ complaints against businesses. Please note that the ombudsman may take up to 90 days to resolve your British Airways issue.
- United States: You can file a complaint to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection Division (phone: 202-366-2220).
- Canada: The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) provides dispute resolution for air travel complaints (phone: 1-888-222-2592, email: info@otc-cta.gc.ca).
- Australia, The Airline Customer Advocate (ACA) offers free and independent ombudsman service.
- European Union: If your flight departed from an EU country or was with an EU carrier and landed in the EU, you’re protected by EU passenger rights. You can submit your complaint to a National Enforcement Body (NEB).
- United Kingdom: If your flight departed from an airport in the UK, you can lodge a complaint with AviationADR.
Premium hotline
for Executive Club members
Executive Club, British Airways‘s loyalty program provides dedicated phone number for members, with shorter waiting times than the standard hotline. If you are a Executive Club member with Bronze, Silver, Gold Executive status, you can dial +0344 493 0747 to reach frequent flyer program (FFP) customer service in United Kingdom.
Dedicated customer service for the Executive Club FFP can assist you with verifying your reward point balance, making flight reservations, processing the flight redemption and upgrades, or just addressing any queries you might have about the loyalty program.
You can also contact Executive Club international numbers: +0810 00 10 46 (Austria), +1 800 452 1201 (Canada), +0826 826 747 (France), +49 (0)421 84 09 91 77 (Germany), +852 3002 1208 (Hong Kong), +448999911091 (India), +62 001803441666 (Indonesia), +03-3298-5209 (Japan), +60 3 7712 4433 (Malaysia), +91 124 4120 789 (Maldives), +44 207 136 7770 (Qatar), +8000 441 3686 (Qatar), +0344 493 0747 (UK), +1 800 452 1201 (US).
British Airways doesn’t offer a dedicated email address for Executive Club customer care.
If you find yourself already at the airport, consider seeking aid from an airline agent at the British Airways lounge. Their team is often capable of addressing same-day issues or can offer you a direct airport line, bypassing the queue. However, ensure you’re eligible for lounge access beforehand, as it’s generally reserved for top-tier frequent flyer members.
Contacting British Airways on social media
Getting phone help from British Airways often means long waits. So here’s our advice: before calling the helpline, try to get a quick fix by contacting them via social media — Facebook, Twitter. Many travelers are reporting that they get a faster response there. Most large airlines have teams of social media specialists; in our experience, it’s the easiest way to resolve an issue.
Craft a concise and polite message explaining your issue or inquiry. Include relevant details like your booking reference or flight information. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable timeframe, send a follow-up message.
Use this trick to contact the airline faster: mention @British_Airways in a tweet about your issue. British Airways team will often notice it immediately and provide an answer. It’s a method we recommend if your issue is particularly urgent.
Self-service
Do you really need
to call the airline?
You’d be surprised to know that many of your issues can be easily resolved without contacting British Airways customer service.
Manage my Booking
This section on the British Airways website is a convenient self-service tool you can use to manage your reservations. Manage my Booking eliminaties the need for lengthy interactions with customer service, addressing typical passenger queries:
- retrieving booking information
- rescheduling (rebooking) flights
- online check-in
- seat selection and upgrades
- adding extra baggage
- ordering special meals
- changing traveler details
- upgrading flights
- cancelling flights
Please note that the availability of some of these actions depends on the fare type and the terms and conditions of the ticket purchased. In some cases additional fees may be applicable.
Help Center
Before dialing into the British Airways hotline, we recommend consulting the airline’s help articles. Grounded in years of customer interaction and experience, these articles answer many common queries and provide valuable travel advisories:
- Help Centre
- Flight Status
- Cancelation
- Delayed, lost and damaged baggage
- Executive Club
- Holidays
- Travel assistance
Chatbot
Harnessing the power of AI, airline chatbots provide 24/7 service – reducing the need for hotline waits. While they can’t solve all problems, their capabilities continually improve with technology advancements.
For instant assistance, visit British Airways Virtual Assistant chatbot on British Airways website. It’s worth giving it a try, as this digital aide is quite proficient and ready to answer a myriad of your queries.
FAQ
What is the hotline response time?
The average wait time for British Airways representatives is between 5 and 50 minutes — depending on when you're calling. However, when the airline gets hit with an unprecedented wave of calls amid mass cancellations, you should be prepared for much longer waiting times.
Like most airlines, British Airways employs a certain number of staff in its hotline — sufficient to serve customers under standard conditions. If these conditions change (sudden flight delays and cancellations, peak travel times such as school holidays, etc.), the airline usually allocates more resources to customer service to address the increased demand.
Where can I find British Airways service desk at the airport?
British Airways houses its main service desk at London Gatwick LGW in London, United Kingdom. The airport serves as the primary hub airport for the carrier, coordinating the lion's share of its flight operations. The British Airways representatives at this airport desk provide comprehensive customer service for passengers: booking changes, refunds, upgrading flights, special assistance requests, etc.
You’ll also find British Airways service desks at other major airports in its network: Mexico City International Airport MEX.
Not all airports serviced by British Airways maintain its help desks. Their presence depends on the airline's scale of operations, airport size, and arrangements with other airlines. Smaller airports with sparse British Airways flights or those primarily catering to regional traffic may lack a dedicated service desk.
If you’re flying with the British carrier and aren’t sure whether there will be a service desk at the departure airport, check the airline’s and the airport's websites. Alternatively, contact customer service for the most up-to-date information.
Missed British Airways flight contact number
If you think you're going to miss a flight, call British Airways immediately at +1-877-4282228. The sooner your airline knows that you'll be late, the more options it has to fix it. British Airways often charges you for a new ticket if you miss a flight, but there are important exceptions. To find out if you qualify, you need to act fast. Calling the airline ASAP can significantly increase your chances of getting rebooked on the next flight at no additional charge.
How to request a callback from British Airways?
British Airways does not provide a callback option. However, you can still potentially get an airline representative to call you back:
- Try to initiate contact by reaching out to British Airways through the channels they offer — email, live chat, social media, or the hotline.
- Clearly state that you would prefer to be contacted by a phone call (callback)
- Briefly explain your issue or question; include your phone number and the best times to reach you.
- Follow up: if you don’t get a response within a reasonable timeframe, try reaching out again.
What is British Airways Business Class contact number?
Several airlines offer premium, dedicated phone lines exclusively for their Business Class passengers — recognizing the investment they make when they opt for a higher level of comfort.
However, British Airways does not offer a dedicated phone number for Business Class customers. Instead, they can contact the airline’s general customer service line. Although this might involve some waiting, the airline prioritizes assisting their high-tier customers as quickly as possible.
Should I contact my travel agent instead of CS?
Yes, if you find airline customer care burdensome, you may ask your travel agent for help. An agent can remove all that drama from your booking experience. Good travel agents have dedicated "air teams" behind them (who have relationships with airlines) and often work via a bigger agency leveraging its robust networks and connections.
When British Airways cancels a flight or makes a change to your itinerary, travel agents have the power to handle this for you on your behalf. They don’t even need to speak to the airline in most cases since they have access to the backend of a booking system and are permitted to make changes to your reservation. Sometimes, they can even “bend” the rules.
The best thing: you’ll typically pay the same price for the flight ticket. Commissions made by agents generally come from the airline side, not the customer side.
What is the location and contact for head office?
British Airways’ head office is located in Harmondsworth, United Kingdom:
British Airways Plc.,
Waterside
PO Box 365 Harmondsworth, UB7 0GB
United Kingdom
British Airways HQ (headquarters, head office, corporate office) serves as the principal business hub for the airline, its center of planning, coordination, and execution. The head office manages most of the airline's national functions, including finance, legal affairs, human resources, and marketing. It is also the central workspace for British Airways's executive team, including the CEO, CFO, and key managerial staff. The headquarters oversees all other offices and branches, which report back to this 'nerve center' of operations.
How to call British Airways from US?
Passengers in US can contact British Airways by dialing this customer service phone number: +1-800-247-9297.
How to call British Airways from UK?
If you're in UK and need to reach out to British Airways, call its hotline: +0344 493 0787.
How to call British Airways from Greece?
To call British Airways from Greece, dial +44 20 35645913. Follow the voice prompts to get in touch with the correct airline's department or its representative. This line is equipped to handle a range of inquiries — including reservations, flight information, customer service, and more.
What is British Airways reservations phone number?
The main phone number for British Airways reservations is +0344 493 0787. If you require assistance with your flight ticket, you can also call the airline's regional call center or local ticketing office. Please note that the company may charge an additional fee for reservations made over the phone.
What is British Airways rebooking hotline?
To rebook your flight with British Airways, first review their current conditions and policies, as these occasionally change. Then contact their main call center at +0344 493 0787.
It's recommended to consult the rebooking with an airline representative as it enables you to discuss changes to your itinerary and explore all available flight options in detail. Be aware that rebooking may incur a fee.
| Country | British Airways Office |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Address 30, Rue Hassane Benaamane Les Vergers Bir Mourad Rais Algiers Algeria |
| Angola | Casa dos Desportistas Avenida Murtala Mohamed Ilha de Luanda Luanda Angola |
| Equador | Av. Eloy Alfaro 939 y Amazonas Edif. Finandes 5o piso Quito Ecuador |
| Lybia | British Airways Tripoli Tower Office 191, floor 19 Tripoli Libya |
| Mauritius | 8 President John Kennedy Street Port Louis Mauritius |
| Pakistan | Office number 1112 11th Floor Islamabad Stock Exchange building Islamabad |
