Airline Cabin Luggage Restrictions And Size

What can you take in your cabin luggage – i.e. what’s allowed? Many travellers have a general idea then start second guessing. The simple answer is: inform yourself. Ground security staff will take any/all items that are restricted so do be warned – you will lose your expensive perfumes and aftershaves, should they not comply with hand luggage limitations.

Cabin Luggage Restrictions

For cabin luggage restrictions, I’m using the UK as a base but the allowances are pretty much the same across the board. This is because air travel is global: there’s no point a UK airport allowing you to take ‘x’ onto a flight when they know that your destination airport will only remove it from your possession on your return through their system - and vice versa.

You are allowed to carry liquids in your cabin luggage but – there is a size restriction. This is related to liquid explosives and is enforced as a measure of safety. No single liquid can exceed 100ml in size. They must all be contained within a clear plastic sealable bag – usually handed out at airports. The size of the bag is no more than 20cm x 20cm, which is approximately a litre.

Cabin Luggage Liquids

Cabin luggage liquids are defined as the following, and must be carried within a clear plastic bag:

• Lotions
• Gels
• Pastes
• Baby food/drinks – these must be tasted by the possessor
• Cosmetic items i.e. foundation, mascara etc
• Drinks
• Syrups
• Creams
• Oils
• Perfume
• Deodorants
• You may also carry small pressurized containers such as shaving foam

Again – the above cannot exceed the 100ml size restriction and must fit into the transparent plastic bag. Anything not sitting comfortably within the alloted space will be removed.

Don’t be surprised – when retrieving your liquid items after going through the security gate  – to find that you've lost an item of two if your plastic bag doesn't look like the picture to the right.

Cabin Luggage Medical Allowance

Cabin luggage medical allowance means that you're allowed to carry prescription medicines. If you're carrying specific medical equipment this must be carried seperately and will also be screened sperately - and of course you must provide supporting medical documentation.

You can carry medication that exceeds the 100ml limit but again you will be expected to provide the required documentation. Basically use common sense. Make sure that what you are obliged to disclose/show to the airport security fits within the allowed transparent bag. Make sure that no individual liquid exceeds 100ml. And don't be surprised if items prohibited items or anything that exceeds the allowancee is removed from your possession.

Once you've passed through security, you can buy other liquids that you're allowed to carry onto the plane. These have already been screened in a seperate process and have passed security measures.

Stock up on the alcohol ... !