What Can You Take In Hand Luggage A Simple Guide
If you are flying and are wishing to take hand luggage on board the aircraft, you will need to be familiar with the restrictions regarding what items are allowed in hand luggage.
Although ‘hand luggage allowance’ varies depending on which airline you are flying with, the items that you are allowed to pack in your hand luggage and the items you cannot take on board the aircraft do not! Airport Security is now paramount throughout the world and the restriction on what you can and cannot take on board a plane in your hand luggage is pretty much standard in every airport.
Useful Travel Accessories To Take In Your Hand Luggage:
If you intend taking any bag on board the aircraft with you, you should ensure you comply with the regulation that are in place. The Airports and airlines have specific rules and regulations in place regarding how much fluid can you take in hand luggage and what items are permitted on board the aircraft.
Please remember, the rules are there for everyone and if you believe that you are an exception to these rules and try taking on board items that are not permitted, you will be stopped and have them confiscated. These rules and regulations are there for your own safety and if you abide by them, you will not encounter any problems passing through Security.
If you are travelling with ‘Checked-In’ Hold luggage, you should try to pack all your liquids, gels, lotions and sharp objects in your Hold luggage. However, with the increase in airlines charging additional fees for ‘Hold Luggage’, a large number of passengers are now travelling with ‘Hand Luggage’ only. The result of this simply means that passengers try to pack as much as possible into their hand luggage and this generally ends up with them packing items that they shouldn’t!
Many people are unsure as to what they are allowed to pack in their hand luggage and as a result asked: “what can you take in your hand luggage?”
This page is designed to offer a quick reference and overview to some of the most Frequently asked questions about what you can carry on board a plane in your hand luggage:
Liquids:
Can You Take Liquids In Hand Luggage
Yes, you can take liquids and gels in your hand luggage but there are restrictions on the amount you can take in any one container and each container must not exceed 100ml. There are now a large number of different travel bottle kits available which range from normal transparent bottles to squeezable silicone leakproof bottles. The travel bottle kits, are all specifically designed for travelling and for taking through Airport Security in your carry on and hand luggage. Below are just a few of the best selling travel bottle kits currently on the Market, which comply with Airport Security liquid regulations.
Food:
Can You Take Food In Hand Luggage
Food is one of those items that people are still a little unsure about, in terms of carrying it through Airport Security and on board the aircraft in hand luggage. Food such as sandwiches and snacks, crisps and biscuit are all generally ok to take in your hand luggage. Some foods are not allowed to be taken into and out of certain countries and it is advisable to check with the country you are visiting if you intend carrying any other types of food.
Can You Take Sweets In Hand Luggage
Yes, sweets are generally fine as long as they are not liquids. However, some airports may require the sweets to be unopened before they are passed through Security.
Electricals:
Can You Take Electricals In Hand Luggage
Yes, you are allowed to take electrical items in your hand luggage. However, some electrical products can be heavy and if you are only travelling with hand luggage, just take into consideration how much of your weight allowance they will take up.
Please Note: All electrical items should be charged before you travel, just in case you are asked to switch on any of your items. If they are not charged and you cannot switch them on when requested, you will not be allowed to take it on board the aircraft
Can You Take Hairdryers In Hand Luggage
Yes, hairdryers can be packed and taken on board the aircraft as hand luggage.
Can You Take Straighteners In Hand Luggage
Yes, you can take hair straighteners on board in your hand luggage.
Please Note: Any appliances that are ‘Gas’ powered need to have their safety cover fitted at all times. You are not allowed to take separate gas cartridges on board.
Can You Take Laptops In Hand Luggage
Yes, laptops can be taken on board in your hand luggage but you must ensure that your laptop is charged before you travel in case you are asked to switch it on at Airport Security.
Toiletries:
What Toiletries Can I Carry In Hand Luggage
The question is more: What toiletries do you want to take?
Remember, you can only take bottle up to 100ml in your hand luggage!
The crazy thing is that if you are going away on holiday, you can generally buy most toiletries at the destination to which you are travelling. If you are ‘Checking-In’ Hold luggage, then you should try to pack all your toiletries in your hold luggage. If you are travelling with hand luggage only, then you should try to keep your weight down and toiletries only add to the weight of your bag! If possible, just take the essentials that you will need when you first arrive such as a tooth brush, toothpaste, deodorant.
Yes, I know that you may wish to take your favourite perfumes, conditioners, aftershave, moisturiser and lotions but unfortunately, there are strict regulations on taking liquids in your hand luggage so you will only be able to take bottles no bigger than 100ml. If you insist on taking your favourite smellies, then you will need to decanter then into cabin approved sized bottles of 100ml.
Scissors: Small scissors with blades no longer than 6cms. You can also take blunt round ended scissors.
Nail Clippers & Nail File
Tweezers
Contact Lense Solution Up to 100ml
Can You Take Condoms In Hand Luggage
Yes, it is perfectly fine to pack condoms in your hand luggage and take them on board the aircraft with you.
Can You Take Razors In Hand Luggage
Yes, you are allowed to carry a Disposable razor or Fixed-cartridge razor blades.
Can You Take Toothpaste In Hand Luggage
Yes, you can take toothpaste in your hand luggage but it must not exceed the ‘Liquids & Gels’ restrictions of 100ml. Many of the manufacturers of toothpaste now offer travel size toothpaste that comply with the ‘carry on’ regulations.
Taking Makeup In hand Luggage
Can You Take Lipstick In Hand Luggage
Yes, Lipstick is usually classed as a ‘Solid’ beauty product and is not subject to restrictions such as liquids. However, there is no harm in placing your lipstick in a transparent sealable bag when passing through Security.
Can You Take Mascara In Hand Luggage
Yes, you can pack mascara in your hand luggage but if it is liquid mascara, then you will only be able to take mascara in a container that does not exceed 100ml.
Perfumes And Aftershave
Can You Take Perfume In Hand Luggage
Yes but it cannot exceed 100ml in size, a good idea is to take an Atomizer.
Can You Take Aftershave In Hand Luggage
Yes you can take aftershave in your hand luggage but once again, aftershave is classed as a liquid and you will need to comply with the restrictions in place for liquids. This means tha you will not be able to take any individual container that exceeds 100ml.
Medication In Hand Luggage:
Can You Take Medication In Hand Luggage
Yes, you are allowed to take ‘essential’ medication on board in your hand luggage and this can exceed the 100ml restriction on liquids, so long as you have documentation from your Doctor to support you carrying the medication. The medication may be required to be screened separately.
Essential Medication For Your Journey Includes:
Inhalers
Cooling Gel Packs – If successfully screened
Tablets and Capsules
Liquid Medicine over 100ml if successfully screened
Hypodermic syringes
Medical Equipment and machines such as TENS and CPAP machines
Please Note: If you need to travel with Oxygen Cylinders, you will need to contact your airlines prior to travel.
Can You Take Tablets In Hand Luggage
Yes, tablets and capsules can be taken on board in your hand luggage.
Can You Take Lighters In Hand Luggage
No, you cannot carry lighters in your hand luggage. However, you are allowed to take one single lighter on your person but this must be placed in a seal plastic bag and kept on your person at all times.
Can You Take Glass In Hand Luggage
The carriage of glass in hand luggage is not well documented under ‘Not Permitted’ items and this is a grey area with many travellers. The majority of people do not want to pack glassware in their ‘Hold’ luggage in fear of it getting smashed in transit, which is fully understandable. However, the problem is:
What glassware are you wanting to pack in your hand luggage and what type of glass is it?
The other question is: Do you really need to take it?
Some Airport Security may be ok with it and others may not! The same can be said for airlines and I guess the best advice is that if you really need to take a glass item, you should check with the airport you are departing from and also the airline who you are flying with, to make sure it is ok to take it.
Can You Take Jewellery In Hand Luggage
Most jewellery is ok to take on board in your hand luggage but there are some items of jewellery that could be deemed as ‘Dangerous’. Sharp or pointed items of certain lengths could be classed as dangerous and may be confiscated and you should use your common sense when deciding what jewellery you want to pack in your hand luggage. Items such as watches, necklaces, bracelets should be fine but if you intend packing a brooche with a long sharp pin or a ring that is more like a knuckle duster, then you can expect to be questioned at Security! Also, ask yourself whether or not it is a necessity to take your jewellery, especially if it is expensive. Walking around foreign countries wearing expensive jewellery could potentially make you an easy target for muggers!
Can You Take Aerosol In Hand Luggage
No, Aerosols are not permitted in your hand luggage. However, certain aerosols that are purchased at the airport or from an airline may be taken on board the aircraft in your hand luggage.
We hope this brief guide is beneficial and helps answer any questions you may have. However, if you require more information, you can visit the following Government page that provide a more in depth overview addressing the question: What Can You Take In Hand Luggage?