What is allowed in hand luggage?
It's one of the ten questions most frequently asked by our customers. And it's not surprising, because you can get lost from time to time with all these rules. If you also know that the rules often differ from airport to airport or airline to airline, it's a punishment that this isn't simply the most frequently asked question.
We'll give you an overview of the carry-on baggage rules that (almost) always apply.
In any case, don't hesitate to contact us if you still have any questions or doubts!
How big is your suitcase?
Your hand luggage must fit in the overhead compartment of the aircraft. This means that your hand luggage should generally not exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm, including wheels, handle or luggage rack.
In general, you can also take a handbag with you.
It's best to pack it in your hand luggage.
-Valuables such as money, jewelry or your camera
-Important documents
-Medication
-An emergency kit of clothes and toiletries
In short, everything you'd like to have to hand quickly during and after the flight. Imagine that, in the worst-case scenario, your check-in baggage isn't immediately available.
Liquids and gels
Aaarchhh, the most boring category if you ask us.
What exactly falls into the liquids and gels category?
- Water and other beverages, soup, syrup, ...
- Care and make-up products such as contact lens solutions, creams, lotions and oils, shampoos, perfumes, shaving foams, hairsprays, shower and hair gels, toothpastes, mascaras, lipsticks, lip glosses, deodorants, ...
- Food products such as cheese, chocolate spread, jam, yoghurt, peanut butter, etc.
- Medical products such as cough syrup, nasal sprays, etc.
- Liquid-solid mixtures such as foods in sauce, ...
- Pressurized liquids such as deodorants, hairsprays, ...
- Sprays such as eau de toilette, ...
- Gels such as hair gels, gels in cooling elements, ...
- Pastes such as chocolate spread, peanut butter, toothpaste, ...
- All other products of similar consistency.
These gels and liquids are therefore permitted in your hand luggage, provided that :
- your individual containers do not exceed 100 milliliters
- you pack them in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 liter
- you bring only one 1-liter plastic bag per person.
The easiest way is to pack your liquids and gels before you leave for the airport and keep them in an easily accessible place. This will save you stress and hassle at security checkpoints, as most airports require you to remove your bag(s) of gels and liquids from your luggage.
Baby food
Baby food, whether liquid or porridge, can be packed in your hand luggage. In terms of quantity, it's best to take what your baby needs during the flight. Security may ask you to taste the food to make sure it's baby food, but this rarely happens.
Products purchased at the airport after security check
All products purchased in airport stores, bars or restaurants after the security check are allowed on board. If you buy liquids or gels in airport stores, they are packed in a special sealed bag that you can only open at destination. Please also note that if they do not meet the conditions to be allowed in your hand luggage, you must put them in your hold luggage on the return journey.
This is absolutely not allowed in your hand luggage:
- Firearms andshooting weapons: pistols, revolvers or replicas, or other objects that fire projectiles.
- Sharp objects such as scissors, axes, knives and arrows,
- Blunt objects such as golf clubs, clubs, hitting irons, etc.
Selfie sticks and e-cigarettes are permitted.
Portable electronic devices
Laptops and other lithium devices (power bank, telephone, etc.) should preferably be carried in your hand luggage. In many airports, your laptop has to pass through security in a separate compartment anyway.
Note: hoverboards are generally not allowed on board. Not in your hand luggage, nor in your hold luggage! Always check your airline's information on dangerous goods in advance.
Label your hand luggage too
Be sure to label the outside with at least your name. On the inside of your suitcase, you can give even more details as a precaution. If you lose your suitcase, it will be easy to identify.
And don't forget that your hand luggage may still be checked in at the time of boarding. This is sometimes necessary because the space reserved for baggage on the plane is full. Your baggage will be tagged just before boarding, and you can retrieve it from the baggage carousel on arrival.
Still have questions or doubts? Give us a call and we'll be happy to help!