Do you ever dread that you haven’t packed something correctly between your hand luggage and checked luggage when heading to the airport?
Jetting off for whatever reason should be a relaxing and exciting time, so avoid the stress of going through airport security this year with our hand luggage dos and don’ts guide…
Baggage policies change from one airline to the next.
You may think that baggage policies will be the same across every airline, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.
For example, TUI Airways restricts its hand luggage to a maximum dimension of 55 x 40 x 20cm. It can’t weigh more than 10kg either.
Travel with British Airways though and hand luggage can be up to 56 x 45 x 25cm in size and weigh a maximum of 23kg.
This table set out by the Metro newspaper should help you understand how much hand luggage you can bring on board no matter which airline you’re travelling with next.
Food & liquids – what can be packed into hand luggage?
Now that you know exactly how much hand luggage you can bring onto your flight, let’s look at what you can and can’t pack.
To start with, liquids in hand luggage must be in containers holding no more than 100ml. They should also be comfortably secured inside a single, resealable and transparent plastic bag with measurements of approximately 20cm x 20cm.
You can carry up to a litre of liquids in these bags, but only one is allowed per person on a flight. This bag must be able to be sealed without becoming tied or knotted at the top too, before being placed towards the top of your hand luggage so that it can be shown at an airport security point.
There are some items that you may not realise count into this set of rules as well, including:
• Nut butter
• Soft cheese
• Soup
Also be aware that you are not allowed to carry frozen liquids in hand luggage.
The rules around packing everyday items.
When it comes to packing everyday items, all of these are prohibited from being placed into hand luggage on UK flights:
• Corkscrews
• Knives
• Scissors which have blades measuring over 6cm
• Toy caps, party poppers and other pyrotechnics
Cigarette lighters are prohibited as well, though with a caveat. One lighter can be put into a plastic liquids bag, but it must be kept with you throughout the flight and never removed from the bag while you’re onboard.
There are some practical everyday items that you can pack into hand luggage though, including contact lens solution up to 100ml, a walking stick, cane, pushchair and wheelchair.
You can place your sports umbrella into your hand luggage too, so no need to worry about getting wet if there’s rain in the forecast at either your departure or arrival airport.
A fan of arts and crafts? Then you’ll also be pleased to hear that you can enjoy this hobby on a flight using knitting needles, sewing needles and scissors with blades that do not exceed 6cm or are designed with round-ended or blunt points.
Deciding which toys to bring onto a flight for your children.
You may think they are harmless, but airport security staff are obliged to treat your children’s toy guns and ammunition with the same threat level as if these items were real.
Encourage your kids to leave these toys at home and bring figurines and dolls with them on holiday instead to avoid any unnecessary stress.
Perhaps leave the smart bag at home.
Smart bags sure can be practical when travelling, as the item’s electronic element can be used to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot and charge devices. However, they may not be as useful as you think when travelling on an airline.
Ryanair and easyJet do not allow smart bags which remain connected to a battery to be stored anywhere on their flights.
British Airways has banned this type of bag if the battery cannot be removed as well. However, they do let you store the battery inside the smart bag within a cabin if it has been disconnected. You must remove the battery from the smart bag if putting this item into the hold mind.
Each airline will treat smart bags differently, but the underlining point here is that an increasing number of firms will no longer permit you to fly if the battery cannot be removed from the bag.
Make the most of the space available in your hand luggage.
By now, you should have a good understanding about what to and not to pack in your hand luggage – and how much allowance you have available to play with too.
To pack this luggage like a pro every time, follow these helpful tips:
• Buy lightweight hand luggage instead of heavy hardshell bags and expensive designer bags.
• Wear multiple layers of your bulkiest clothing onto a flight, which can then be removed once you’re in your plane seat.
• Pack a jumper into your hand luggage – plane cabins can often be chilly, with this clothing also great to double up as a pillow during a flight when folded.
• Roll up items of clothing inside each other to save room in your hand luggage.
• Try to double up items that you’re packing, such as finding a pair of trainers that will look great when walking around a resort and be suitable when visiting the hotel’s gym.
• Make the most of your liquid baggage allowance by purchasing multi-use beauty products for your holiday.
• Download an eBook or buy a novel from the shop at the airport which you won’t mind leaving at the hotel once you’ve finished reading the story, instead of packing books.
We hope these tips will help you pass through airport security without any stress when you next jet off. Make sure to keep checking out our blog for more helpful travel advice and inspiration.