Prohibited items in airplane luggage. What is prohibited and what is allowed to be taken into the cabin? What is allowed in luggage?

Liquids with a volume of less than 100 ml

The golden rule of air travel is that all liquids (your favorite face cream and body lotion, perfume and a bottle of whiskey) must be packaged properly:

• in special containers up to 100 milliliters in size;
• the total volume of all containers should not exceed 1 liter per person;
• It is advisable to pack all jars and bottles with liquids in a transparent bag (it is better to take 20x20 centimeters in size, although this is not required everywhere).

As you can see, there are a lot of problems, so sometimes, if the flight is not very long, it’s easier to put all your favorite products in your luggage - your skin will survive three and a half hours without moisturizing with avocado oil.

Laptop and charger

Agree, forcing you to fly without your favorite laptop is truly cruel. During a long flight, you can work and watch a TV series (the main thing is don’t forget to download it in advance). No one is going to deprive you of this opportunity, so rest assured: you can carry a laptop in the cabin of the plane.

But remember: in order not to delay other passengers during security checks, take the equipment out of your backpack and put it in a plastic container next to other things - otherwise you risk slowing down the entire line by pulling everything out at the last moment.

There is (eye) contact!

If you wear permanent contact lenses, pour the storage liquid into a bottle with a volume of up to 100 milliliters, otherwise you will have to squint your entire vacation not from the sun, but because you can’t see anything.

Hair straighteners and electric shaver

If you have a business meeting waiting for you immediately after the flight and urgently need to become beautiful, it is permissible to carry a hair straightener and an electric razor in your hand luggage. While your luggage is being placed on the belt, you can get yourself in order.

Medicines

A classic tourist first aid kit (painkillers, antipyretics, antiseptics, nasal drops, plaster) can be safely carried in hand luggage, the main thing is to make sure that all containers are less than 100 milliliters.

What to do in special cases? There is one salvation: every drug that goes beyond the transportation rules (each receiving country has its own list, so check it out in advance - for example, you cannot bring Valocordin to Europe) must be accompanied by a prescription from a doctor. Please note that:

• the recipe must be translated by a certified translator;
• Medicines must be in their original packaging - they cannot be transfused. So, if you absolutely need to take some medication with you on the plane, and the original packaging exceeds 100 milliliters, you will also have to get a prescription.

Some medications need to be stored in the refrigerator - in this case (and again, if there is a translation of the instructions that confirms this fact), you can take the cooler bag with the medicine with you on the plane.

Football, basketball, other sports balls

We don’t know why you need this, but yes: you can take a soccer ball (even an inflated one) with you. The main thing is that it fits into your hand luggage.

Mini bottles of alcohol

Unfortunately, if you bring them from home, only mini ones. Some avid travelers simply pour their favorite drink into small containers and then sleep soundly throughout the flight. It is important here not to confuse the treasured bottle with the one with shampoo.

If every time you go to duty-free, you are blown away and you run to buy sweets, souvenirs and alcohol, keep in mind that airlines limit the number of packages allowed in different ways. Pobeda, for example, requires that the size of the purchased baggage, along with the rest of the hand luggage, be placed in a special calibrator, which you will find at the boarding gate. So be careful with your purchases, otherwise you will have to spend three hours trying to cram what you bought, delaying other passengers. Ryanair allows only one package - for additional ones you will have to pay 8 € (about 600 rubles)

Most likely, you will not be able to uncork your purchase on the plane: this is prohibited. But there is also good news: Aeroflot recently to economy class!

Alcohol control

Before you run to duty-free to buy something, read the rules for importing alcohol into your host country - the quantity is different everywhere. To Russia, for example, you can import up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of up to 70%, to Europe - 4 liters of wine, 16 liters of beer and 1 liter of spirits, and you cannot import alcohol to the Maldives at all. Just don’t carry supplies in your hand luggage - we’re talking about the luggage you check in.

Musical instruments

For safety reasons, your instrument must fit into the luggage rack: you will have to check your favorite cello in your luggage (don’t forget about the hard case!). If the dimensions of the instrument allow it, you can take it to the salon and rest assured that it will be safe.

Any solid food

Nuts, dried fruits, sausage sandwiches! Of course, take all this with you, especially if you are flying with a low-cost airline and don’t want to spend money on expensive (and not very tasty) food. The main thing is that the food is solid, otherwise the main “100 milliliter rule” comes into force again (this applies to yoghurts, cereals, baby food and any other liquid food).

It is forbidden

Liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml

We deliberately emphasize this point (repetition is the mother of learning!): even if there is only 50 milliliters of whiskey left in a half-liter water bottle, you still cannot take it on the plane - not only the volume of liquid is important, but also the size of the container itself.

Sharp objects

Sharp objects on board the plane are strictly prohibited: the red list includes scissors, knives, forks, and axes (yes, don’t even think about taking an ax on board the plane, even if Raskolnikov is your favorite character from the Russian classics!).

A manicure set is also not allowed: not just scissors, but in general everything if made of metal. Only ceramic, glass and emery files are allowed, but in general, it’s better not to irritate your chair neighbor with a sudden desire to get a manicure. You won't be able to carry knitting needles and corkscrews either.

Snow balls

Alas, you won’t be able to nostalgically look at the magical snow ball the entire flight - since there is liquid inside, you won’t be able to take it on board forbidden . The exception is a small (smaller than a tennis ball) snow globe; it can be carried in hand luggage along with the rest of the jars. You can pack it in a plastic bag (which is 20x20 centimeters) - for peace of mind.

Weapon

We do not assume that you are going to carry real weapons with you, but please note: even dummies will have to be checked in as luggage. So, if you are flying from an international exhibition of Tolkienists, put Aragorn’s sword (or Legolas’ bow) in your suitcase - the forces of evil will wait for your soft landing, so that later they will meet again in a merciless duel. Lightsabers and even plastic pistols are also prohibited for those who like to play James Bond (or Lara Croft).

We hope that we have not only refreshed your knowledge in an area well known to everyone, but also relieved you of paranoia about nuts or hair straighteners. Now you can cross the threshold of the airport with peace of mind. Pleasant flight!

So, an exciting journey awaits you. Tickets have already been purchased, thoughts are melting with anticipation of novelty and pleasant pleasures. For thoughts to become reality, you just need to properly prepare for the trip. You need to start by packing the things you will need during the trip.

When packing your suitcase, remember that on the way back it is always heavier from purchases and gifts. We remind you that everything you take on the road must be divided into two unequal parts:
- hand luggage
– checked luggage

One will be with you in the aircraft cabin and is called hand luggage (or cabin baggage, if it is stored in a special cabinet in the aircraft cabin if you wish). You are responsible for its safety yourself.

And the second one will fly with you, but in the luggage compartment of the plane and is called checked baggage. The airline is responsible for the safety of this baggage.

You need to keep in mind that the rules for transporting baggage on an airplane are different for hand luggage and checked baggage. Those. What you can take with you under the guise of checked baggage may be prohibited for transportation in the aircraft cabin. So below are the basic rules for transporting luggage.

HAND BAGGAGE – hand luggage on an airplane can weigh from 5 to 18 kilograms (depending on the requirements of the carrier’s airline, route, fare, ticket). As a rule, hand luggage consists of:

All necessary documents (passports, valuable business papers, credit cards, vouchers, insurance)
-valuable and fragile things (video cameras, laptops, jewelry, glasses, etc.)
- vital medications, baby food
-and the rest depends on your tastes and personal life.

Approximate hand luggage size
For the safety and comfort of passengers, hand luggage should not exceed the permitted dimensions so that it can be stowed under the seat of the aircraft seat. Usually these sizes are 55x40x20 cm.

There are exceptions, for example, the Air Astana company allows business class passengers to carry hand luggage weighing up to 18 kilograms in the aircraft cabin. And at the Lufthansa airline, first and business class passengers are allowed to take two pieces of hand luggage, and for economy class passengers - one. The permissible dimensions of one piece of hand luggage have been increased to 55x40x23, and the weight should not exceed 23 kilograms.

The main thing that should not be forgotten is that any items that pose a danger to others, their simulators and models (these are radioactive, toxic substances, weapons, piercing, cutting and explosive objects) are strictly prohibited in the passenger’s carry-on luggage.

Due to the increasing frequency of terrorist attacks, requirements have been tightened and restrictions have been introduced on liquids, even on toiletries and cosmetics (it is interesting that shaving foam and toothpaste are also classified as liquids). The maximum volume of liquid in any container must not exceed 100 milliliters, and the total amount of liquid per person in hand luggage cannot exceed one liter. In addition, all liquids must be placed in one resealable transparent bag.

And the remaining liquids exceeding this volume will have to be packed in checked baggage, where they will be accepted without any problems. Baby food and medications that may be needed during the flight can be packed in a transparent, non-sealable bag.

Carrying liquids on an airplane
In addition to the free baggage allowance, you can bring alcohol, cigarettes and perfumes purchased at Duty Free, items of clothing, flowers, canes, umbrellas, a folded stroller, a cradle, a book, a laptop (they are not presented at weigh-in).

CHECKED BAGGAGE. We've sorted out the hand luggage, now we'll pack the checked luggage. The norms for carried checked baggage are established according to only two systems:

Limitation (norms) on the number of seats and weight
- weight limit (norms)

In most cases, standards are set for the number of seats. What does it mean? The passenger has the right to carry free of charge:
in business class - two pieces weighing no more than 32 kilograms each
in economy class - one seat, no more than 23 kilograms each

Some companies, in order to attract customers, allow additional pieces of free baggage. For example, on Czech airlines, Gold and Elite Plus cardholders are entitled to free transportation of one additional piece of baggage, but weighing no more than 23 kilograms.

What should you keep in mind when packing? The rules for transporting baggage on an airplane state that the weight of baggage cannot be added up! If one suitcase is heavier than the allowable limit, and the other is lighter than the permissible limit, but in total they do not exceed the permitted limit, then you will still have to pay extra for the overweight of the first suitcase. The weight of a suitcase or bag is taken into account when weighing it.

Remember! During transportation, the weight of luggage is not summed up
Weight restrictions (baggage allowance) means that a passenger has the right to carry any number of bags free of charge, but their total weight must be equal to or less than the norm for a given route and class of service. The current weight limit for a specific route must be found in the ticket or in the fare rules on the airline’s website. For example, at Air Astana, the total weight of baggage and hand luggage is no more than thirty kilograms for business class and twenty kilograms for economy class passengers.

What is the size limit for free baggage allowance? According to safety requirements, the maximum size of one piece of packed luggage is established based on the sum of three dimensions (length, width, height). As a rule, this is 158 cm. There are also exceptions here - for the companies Utair.ru and S7 Airlines, the dimensions of one piece of packed luggage should not exceed 203 centimeters and a weight of 32 kilograms at the comfort class fare.

An exception is made for wheelchairs, musical instruments, and sports equipment that cannot be divided into parts.

Absolutely all airlines have a general rule - excess baggage by weight, quantity, dimensions must be paid at the appropriate rates. Each company has its own rates for paying overweight.

Attention! If you pay extra for excess weight, the weight of one piece of checked baggage cannot exceed 50 kg!

In addition to the baggage requirements of carrier airlines, each specific country has a list of things and products that are restricted or prohibited from being imported or exported into the country. For example, you cannot import more than 200 cigarettes into Turkey, and you cannot import gambling equipment into Israel.

Airplane flights from one city to another have long become an integral part of our lives.

It is difficult now to find a person who has never flown on an airplane in his entire life.

Flying by plane is the easiest and fastest way to move around geographical space.

But, nevertheless, even experienced passengers often have questions: “What can you take on a plane?” “What can you take in hand luggage on a plane?”, “What should you check in as checked luggage?” And those who are flying for the first time ask even more questions: “Can I take alcohol on the plane?”, “Can I bring cosmetics?”, “What can I take on the plane if I’m flying with a child?”

Even greater confusion is caused by transportation rules, which may differ between different carrier companies. Let's try to put everything on shelves, or rather in suitcases.

Definition

Hand luggage is items that a passenger can carry in the cabin. These include bags, backpacks, cases, bags, baskets. When checking in for a plane, the weight of hand luggage is checked.

IMPORTANT The number of hand luggage items does not matter, you can carry as many bags as you like, the main thing is that their total weight and established size standards do not exceed those declared by the carrier.

Carry-on baggage allowance

Standard hand luggage allowed for transportation in the cabin must be no more than 115 centimeters, the sum of height, width and length (55 by 40 by 20). The permissible total weight of hand luggage depends on the ticket class.

For business class passengers, the weight of hand luggage is allowed no more than 15 kg per person, and for economy class and comfort class passengers no more than 10 kg per person.

These are standard norms for most airlines, including Aeroflot. In some cases, these standards may differ from generally accepted ones. This information can be obtained from the baggage rules of a specific airline.

What can you take on board the plane in hand luggage?

The question is especially relevant during a long flight. Many airlines try to make the flight as comfortable as possible for passengers and, in addition to hand luggage, allow some additional things to be taken into the cabin.

This list included

• Handbag,
• Diplomat,
• Folder with documents,
• Laptop in a special bag,
• Camera,
• Binoculars,
• Umbrella,
• Newspapers and magazines (2-3 copies or one book),
• Sealed bag with duty-free purchases.

What can you take to the salon from things and clothes

There are no special restrictions; items on the passenger, including outerwear, are not considered hand luggage.

ADVICE FROM EXPERIENCED TRAVELERS: try to put all the necessary things on yourself or put them in your pockets. You can use a special travel jacket, which has a large number of spacious pockets.

Why take luggage into the cabin?

Most companies offer fairly comfortable conditions for transporting luggage in a special luggage compartment. Therefore, you can entrust your luggage to the airline at the check-in stage. It is recommended to take only items that you plan to use during the flight and especially fragile items in your hand luggage.

IMPORTANT: You must take documents, precious items and all available gadgets in your hand luggage.

When packing your hand luggage bag, remember that the bag with your main luggage can get lost; this happens rarely, but no one is immune from this. Therefore, you should also take essential items to the salon for an emergency - cosmetics, personal hygiene items, a change of clothes.

Which bag to choose for carry-on luggage?

Comfortable and roomy. The best option is a backpack or bag with many compartments, as well as transformable bags that easily change their size depending on the degree of fullness.

Note!

What is prohibited from being carried in hand luggage?

It is better to familiarize yourself with such a list in advance; please note that there may be variations between different carriers.

The general list of items prohibited from being carried on board an aircraft is as follows:

• Weapons and ammunition in any form, including souvenirs, toys, imitating the real thing, and so on,
• Any flammable, explosive substances.

• Sharp, piercing and cutting objects, including manicure items, scissors, knives, cosmetic and medical instruments.
• Poisonous, caustic, toxic substances.
• Products in cans and canned food.

How to transport sharp objects?

We have divided the list into what can be carried in luggage and what is allowed on board the plane.

In your luggage you can check in: razors, forks, knitting needles (they may be allowed on board if they are wooden or plastic), a stationery knife, manicure accessories, swords, daggers, sabers, cutlasses, scimitars (if these are all souvenirs, or there is a certificate stating that these are household tools), scissors, hunting knives (the airline should be notified about this in advance and the item must be shown during inspection), saws, axes, corkscrews, sewing needles.

Disposable razors, or razors with replaceable blades, or electric razors are allowed in hand luggage.

Is it possible to take liquids into the aircraft cabin?

Transportation of liquids

This is one of the main points in the rules of any airline. Every year the requirements in this regard become more and more stringent. This is, first of all, a safety point, since explosive and flammable substances can be brought on board under the guise of liquid. Fluid limits will vary between airlines.

Thus, Aeroflot allows the carriage of up to one liter of liquid per passenger, provided that it is packed in sealed containers with a volume of no more than 100 milliliters each. Liquid food products must be sealed in a transparent bag measuring 20 by 20 centimeters.

In this case, liquid refers to all cosmetics, food and other non-solid substances. In most companies, liquids include shaving foam, toothpaste, gels, aerosols, creams, canned food, soups, jams, and so on.

Rules for transporting liquids

How to transport alcohol?

You can check in your luggage with alcohol of no more than 70% strength. Carrying alcohol in hand luggage depends on the carrier and destination country. This is possible when entering the United States. In relation to Russia, the issue is complex; each company decides this issue for itself.

For example, if you are flying with Aeroflot, you can take alcohol in your hand luggage; if you are flying S7, then alcohol will not be allowed on board. In any case, the consumption of your own alcohol on board is prohibited by any airline.

IMPORTANT, even if alcohol is allowed as hand luggage, it must be packed according to the rules for transporting liquids - packaging no more than 100 ml, with a total volume of up to 1 liter.

It is possible to take larger quantities of duty-free alcohol on board if it is packed in a branded bag with a receipt.

Is it possible to take some food on board?

This question often arises among those who travel by plane for the first time. During long flights, meals are provided on board for passengers. For those who like to eat home-cooked food and do not want to depend on the on-board dining schedule, food can be taken into the cabin.

It is important to remember the rules for bringing liquids on board the aircraft. And remember the rules of etiquette when choosing food; you should not take food with a strong smell; you should also avoid crumbling foods. The best option for a snack may be dried fruits, nuts, vegetables, sweets or fruits.

Transportation rules for non-standard baggage

As already mentioned, fragile items should not be checked into the luggage compartment to avoid the risk of damage. If you are traveling with animals, they should be transported in special cages in the cabin or in a special compartment.

In most companies, this service is paid and is equal to the cost of one piece of luggage. If you are transporting fragile items, musical instruments, or highly sensitive equipment of non-standard sizes, then this issue should be resolved individually. Compact instruments can be taken in hand luggage, large ones can be transported in a hard case in the luggage compartment, or you can buy a separate seat for them.

In most cases, they will meet you halfway. But remember that you will most likely need to pay extra for such a service. Surfboards, drills, drills, skates, bows and arrows, skateboards, skis and ski poles, screwdrivers and other tools, as well as hunting trophies and guns, fishing rods, scooters, Segways, hoverboards can definitely only be transported in the luggage compartment.

Is it possible to transport gadgets and electronic devices?

In most cases, you can bring on board cameras, a video camera, a laptop, tablets and smartphones, chargers for them, tripods, monopods, electronic toothbrushes, multicookers (if their dimensions meet the standards), irons, curling irons and hair dryers.

IMPORTANT: It is better to take your smartphone charger with you on the plane. In case of baggage delay, this will not give you the opportunity to be completely without communication.

But the blender can only be transported in the luggage compartment.

IMPORTANT: Some companies prohibit the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from being transported on board or in the luggage compartment, as there is a danger of it exploding during the flight. If you are the owner of this gadget, check the transportation rules in advance.

Can I take medications with me?

Medicines in solid form can be taken on board, in liquid, gel and spray form only in limited quantities in accordance with the rules for the carriage of liquids. If medications are vitally necessary, then they can be taken in any volume, confirming the need with a doctor’s certificate.

Mercury thermometers are prohibited for transportation, both in checked luggage and in hand luggage, but hydrogen peroxide can only be carried in hand luggage with a volume of no more than 100 ml. Injection syringes are allowed to be carried on board only for essential reasons (for example, for patients with diabetes) with the appropriate certificate; transportation in luggage is permitted.

IMPORTANT: Check to see if your medications are on the list of prohibited medications in your country of destination. Thus, carvalol is banned in the USA.

What to do if you are found with items prohibited for transportation?

Reasons for confiscation

There are enough such cases, since not all passengers are thoroughly familiar with the rules for transporting things before departure. Trivial items can become a reason for confiscation - scissors, toys - pistols, containers over 100 ml, and so on.

Most often, such things are simply thrown away in the inspection area. If the item is dear to you for some reason, discuss this issue with the administration; there will probably be a way to keep it, or send it to your luggage if it can be transported.

We are not talking about such prohibited things as weapons and drugs. If they are identified, the police will become involved in the case.

Prohibited items may be found in one of 4 baggage inspection situations

1. In your luggage before check-in, in this situation, things can be handed over to mourners, or left in a car or luggage storage, and can also be sent by Russian Post to any address; most airports have its branches.
2. in your luggage after you checked it on the flight, in such a situation, if it is possible to return to registration, then the item can be saved using one of the above methods. The item may be confiscated, but you will be able to receive it when you return if you agree on this with the airport staff.
3. in hand luggage until passport control, if you can return to check-in, then the options for resolving the situation from point 1, or the opportunity to check the item as luggage, are suitable.
4. in hand luggage after passport control, here is the option of either complete confiscation of the item, or if you manage to convince airport representatives of the value of the item for you, it can be transferred on board and given to you upon arrival. Sometimes airlines meet halfway and check things in as baggage themselves, then you can receive your property when it is issued. Sometimes things are stored at the airport until returned; it is important to draw up a document that will allow you to get it back.

Where is hand luggage transported?

The flight attendants will help you place your hand luggage comfortably. Typically, hand luggage is carried either on special shelves above the seats or under a chair on the floor. Before placing your carry-on luggage in the cabin, consider what you will need during the flight and place these items within easy reach.

• Read the rules of transportation at the stage of purchasing tickets,
• During the flight, pay attention to the recommendations of the conductors and follow their instructions,
• Take warm clothes on board, because during the flight the air conditioners are turned on and it gets cold, and there may not be enough blankets for everyone.
• You should not use gadgets during the flight, as this may affect the operation of the aircraft's instruments.
• Be polite to passengers and crew.
• Behave calmly and do not cause discomfort to others.

Now you are familiar with the basic rules for transporting things on airplanes. And even if there is something in your luggage that was overlooked in this article, you know how to keep your property safe and sound. It's easy for you to travel and quickly pass through the control zone.

Flying by plane is a convenient and fast way of transportation, which allows the traveler to arrive at his destination in a few hours. To ensure a safe flight, airlines have developed special rules for passengers, and special attention is paid to sending items.

How much baggage can you carry on a plane?

Major carriers have established rules for the carriage of baggage on an airplane, which stipulate requirements for the size of checked luggage. The cargo is individually registered for each passenger. It is important to know the weight standards, which can vary greatly depending on the type of vessel and the specific air carrier. It is better to check the permitted dimensions on the company’s website.

In addition to weight, there is a quantitative assessment. For example, a bicycle will be regarded as one piece of luggage, and its dimensions and weight are not important. Some companies offer gradation by class, i.e. The more expensive the ticket, the more free cargo you can carry. If the suitcase exceeds the permissible limit, the excess can be paid separately. The rules for carrying one free baggage are as follows:

• business class - no more than 32 kg, and the width, height and thickness of luggage should not exceed 158 cm;
• economy class - luggage weight no more than 23 kg, size in three dimensions - up to 158 cm;
• for small children without a seat, luggage can be up to 10 kg, dimensions - no more than 115 cm.

What can you take on a plane?

When planning a vacation abroad, read in advance the baggage rules on the plane of the country where you want to fly. Sometimes a list of permitted items is indicated on the ticket. You should study the airline's restrictions in advance, otherwise during inspection all prohibited items will be confiscated. The rules for transporting baggage on an airplane contain a list of acceptable items that can be carried on the plane:

• electronic gadgets: telephone, laptop, smartphone, camera;
• money and documents;
• warm clothes;
• set of medicines;
• inflatable pillow;
• wet wipes;
• food (you should not take highly crumbly and perishable foods).

Rules for carrying hand luggage on an airplane

Items allowed to be carried on board are called hand luggage. The size of such luggage must not exceed the norm established by the airline's rules. A pressing question is how much does baggage cost on an airplane and whether you need to pay separately for hand luggage. If the cargo carried on board does not exceed 10 kg, then no additional fee is charged for such baggage. As a rule, the price for reloading varies from 30 to 70 euros. Payment of the entire cost of excess volume can be made at the front desk.

There is a list of things that a passenger can put in the cabin for free:

• women's handbag, briefcase;
• cane;
• wheelchair, crutches;
• bouquet of flowers;
• umbrella;
• outerwear;
• baby bassinet;
• printed publications.

All these items do not need to be separately weighed and labeled. Regarding the transportation of oversized and non-standard items, for example, musical instruments, sports equipment, you should check with the carrier's airline managers in advance. In addition, you can take baby food on your flight, which you will need during the flight to feed your baby.

What not to take on a plane

Airplane baggage rules contain a list of prohibited items. An exception in many companies is the transportation of Duty Free store products: perfume, alcohol, cigarettes, drinks. All products must be sealed and packaged in the store itself or on board. Here is a small list of what is prohibited from being carried in hand luggage on an airplane:

• manicure scissors, knives;
• corkscrews;
• blades, razors.
• the new rule excludes any type of liquid (even water) if its volume exceeds 100 ml;
• You also need to hand in cosmetics - creams, mascara;
• You cannot carry weapons or their imitation with you;
• jewelry and fragile items;
• alcohol;
• all types of gases.

Dimensions of hand luggage on an airplane

The dimensions of baggage carried on board are limited by the carrier's rules. The permissible dimensions for carrying luggage are the same in many countries. However, it is worth learning about all the nuances in advance so that during the inspection you do not lose your favorite items. The maximum weight of hand luggage on an airplane can be no more than 5 kg. For first and business class passengers, the norm is 7 kilograms (maximum).

Carry-on luggage on a plane is a real headache for most tourists returning from vacation. For many passengers, the very concept of “Hand Baggage” raises many questions. Unfortunately, not all passengers know the difference between hand luggage and luggage, and even more so from an accessory for hand luggage (an accessory for hand luggage is a very new concept for modern civil aviation).

This post will be a continuation of useful articles about the tricks of independent travel. Earlier, I wrote in detail about how to look for cheap air tickets, about what travel insurance is and how travel insurance differs from insurance for traveling abroad, in this post we will talk in detail about hand luggage and how to fly on planes without overpaying for excess weight.

What is hand luggage

Here's what Wikipedia says about the concept of hand luggage:

Hand luggage is cargo that a passenger takes with him on board a passenger vehicle (in our case it is an airplane, but the vehicle can be anything) without putting it into the luggage compartment.

As you can see, hand luggage is everything that a passenger takes with him on board the plane. Many people think so, but if you look more closely at the rules for transporting cargo on passenger planes, it turns out that everything that is on you, including outer clothing and the contents of your pockets, is no longer hand luggage, but is called personal equipment and is actually not taken into account in any way. And there are a lot of such interesting points in the rules of transportation, read about it further.

Rules for carrying hand luggage on an airplane

The basic rules for carrying hand luggage on an airplane are the same for most airlines, with the exception of low-cost airlines. For low-cost carriers, any excess is a means of additional income, so you should be aware of this and take into account the special rules of low-cost carriers.

It should be understood that any restriction on the carriage of things in the aircraft cabin is, first of all, a concern for the passenger and the safety of air travel, and then an opportunity to take an extra penny from the passenger for the excess. Now I will explain what I mean.

Here are the basic rules for carrying hand luggage on an airplane:

• all hand luggage should be no more than 115 cm (the sum of three dimensions, 55?40?20) - everything is clear here, this is so that things fit on the shelves;
• the weight of hand luggage should be between 8 and 12 kilograms (depending on the airline) - this is so that each passenger can independently put their things in the boxes above the seats;
• bans on liquids and other prohibitions - unfortunately, after the American tragedy "September 11", civil aviation became different, the rules did not become stricter, they became completely different. Those who have flown before know how much easier it used to be to go through pre-flight inspection.

Hand luggage size

In this part of the post we’ll talk about how much hand luggage you can take on a plane, what to do with goods from Duty Free and about other interesting things that will help you save and not pay for excess weight.

Weight of hand luggage on the plane

The weight of the luggage that you want to take on the plane is strictly regulated and there cannot be any problems with this, or on the contrary, this is the main problem (after all, sometimes they require payment for excess weight). For different airlines, weight can vary from 5 kilograms to 12 kilograms. Low-cost airlines may have their own quirks regarding the weight of hand luggage.

If you read this post to the end, you will find several legal ways to reduce the weight of your carry-on luggage and still carry everything you want.

Dimensions of hand luggage on an airplane

As I mentioned earlier, most airlines have the same size allowance for carry-on luggage, because most airlines have the same aircraft models and the same overhead bins.

The allowed size of hand luggage, in most cases, is: 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm or 115 cm (the sum of 3 dimensions). Here you should take into account that you most likely won’t be allowed to carry skis 115 centimeters long on board, but will be forced to check them in as luggage, since there is simply nowhere to put them in the cabin, well, you can’t carry them in the aisle.

Passengers always have difficulties determining the dimensions of hand luggage; to solve these problems in advance, many airlines install special templates at airports that imitate the permitted dimensions and anyone can check their belongings using these templates.

Beginning travelers always have a question about what is the best way to pack things when flying in the cabin of an airplane. I have tried many options from a reliable suitcase to a comfortable backpack and can give some advice.

• a carry-on suitcase is very convenient if you are transporting really valuable and fragile things (a priceless Chinese vase from the Qing Dynasty, fragile Murano glass figurines, etc.). In this case, the “armor” of the suitcase walls is justified; in all other cases, the suitcase is too inconvenient for carry-on luggage;
• a carry-on bag is an excellent solution, it can be compacted and thus it will pass any “size” control, but carrying such a bag at the airport can be very inconvenient. If the bag has wheels, then this option is quite suitable;
• a carry-on backpack is the most convenient thing that can be for carrying things on an airplane, it perfectly passes all the “size” controls (tested on a 45-liter backpack), it is easy to carry and your hands are always free. I recommend this option to everyone.

Duty Free goods in hand luggage

When purchasing goods in Duty Free shops at the airport (in the so-called “sterile zone”), you should take into account the weight of your purchases. The stores themselves do not impose any restrictions on the sale of goods (buy at least half the store).

In theory, Duty Free items are personal items and do not count as carry-on baggage, but boarding the plane can be difficult (if you have too many Duty Free purchases), so you should be rational about everything. You should also remember that transporting goods from Duty Free is required in a special container (in which the goods are packaged in the store) and not to disturb the packaging throughout the flight. It is advisable to keep the receipt for your purchase throughout the flight, it may come in handy.

If there were no problems boarding the plane and your Duty Free purchases are flying with you, then you may face restrictions at customs in the arrival camp. Each country has clear rules on the possibility of duty-free import of goods, and some (mostly Muslim countries) completely prohibit the import of the most popular Duty Free goods (alcohol). As a rule, customs “gives the go-ahead” for the import of 1 liter of strong alcohol and 1 block of cigarettes; for a larger volume you need to pay a duty. Each country has different rules, so you should check before you travel.

If you are flying with a transfer, you should remember that you will have to go through the security control procedure again and here your Duty Free bag may be regarded as hand luggage and not as personal items. In these cases, you must present a receipt from the Duty Free store of the first airport (where you made the purchase) and, of course, the goods from Duty Free must be packaged accordingly.

Accessory for hand luggage

Now comes the fun part. Not so long ago, some airlines introduced a new concept for passenger aviation - “Accessory for hand luggage”, for most passengers this is a real salvation from being overweight and here’s why. Some things go beyond the concept of hand luggage and end up as accessories for hand luggage; below I will give an approximate list (it may differ for each airline, and for low-cost airlines it may be completely absent). Now the passenger has hand luggage with a regulated weight and size and the opportunity to carry on the plane some of the things that were previously considered hand luggage and took up most of the space there.

Here's what you can take on the plane as an accessory to your hand luggage from Aeroflot:

• handbag/men's briefcase;
• folder for papers;
• umbrella;
• cane;
• bouquet of flowers;
• outerwear;
• laptop computer, camera, video camera;
• printed materials for in-flight reading;
• baby food for the child during the flight;
• a baby cradle when transporting a child;
• suit in a suitcase;
• cell phone;
• crutches;
• a bag with purchases from the Duty Free store.

And again, there are several incomprehensible situations: there are instructions about a laptop, but there are no instructions about a charger, there are instructions about a camera, but they will force you to check the tripod in your luggage, etc.

Carry-on luggage for children

For passengers with small children, carrying things for all children's needs becomes a big problem. Luckily, most airlines offer the option to use an additional standard-sized carry-on bag. This rule applies to passengers with children under 2 years of age; if the child has a full-fledged ticket and a seat in the aircraft cabin, then he also has a full-fledged place for hand luggage.

How and where to place hand luggage on board an airplane

To accommodate hand luggage on board the aircraft, there are luggage racks above the passenger seats; it is their volume that dictates strict requirements (in terms of weight and size) for passengers’ hand luggage. If necessary, hand luggage can be placed under the seat of the passenger in front (not all seats on the plane have this option).

Many airlines clearly state in their rules that during air travel the accessory must be placed under the seat of the seat (located in front of you), and all hand luggage must be placed on the shelf (above your seat). Placing any items in the aisles of the aircraft or in the space near the emergency exit is prohibited.

How much hand luggage can you take on a plane?

How much hand luggage you can take on a plane depends largely on the carrier company and the class of service.

For most airlines, there is the same standard for the number of pieces of hand luggage:

• economy class - one piece of hand luggage;
• business class - two pieces of hand luggage;
• first class - two pieces of hand luggage.

Low-cost airlines stand apart; they may require additional payment for items in the aircraft cabin. Some American and Canadian carriers provide as many as 2 pieces of carry-on luggage when flying in regular economy class.

Liquids in hand luggage

Restrictions on the carriage of liquids in hand luggage seem to me the most crazy restrictions for airline passengers. Judge for yourself, because all these restrictions are for 1 liter of 100 ml. for real “bad guys” it’s very simple, just a few people with bad intentions and that’s it.

But for law-abiding passengers, these perversions of liquids in hand luggage cause enormous inconvenience and additional hassle. This is due to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which completely changed the attitude towards aviation security and now every passenger (including infants with their jars of baby food) is considered a potential terrorist.

The rules for transporting liquids in hand luggage are as follows: a passenger has the right to carry one liter of liquids (in total) in hand luggage; liquids must be placed in containers with a volume not exceeding 100 milliliters. All liquids carried on the plane must be packed in a sealed transparent bag (with a reusable zipper); the size of the bag for liquids should not exceed 20x20 centimeters.

And as always, there are many ambiguities that confuse passengers and cause problems. For example, you will not be allowed to take on board a half-empty tube of toothpaste if its volume is more than 100 ml; to all your objections, “There’s only half there,” the only reaction is “Not allowed.” It’s not so bad to have toothpaste, but what if it’s an expensive cream in a 125 ml tube? Anything with a volume of more than 100 ml. will be confiscated and disposed of.

There are a number of goods that do not resemble liquids (for example, no reasonable person would call cheese a liquid), but are considered liquids when transported on an airplane:

• perfumery;
• shampoos;
• gels;
• lotions;
• sprays;
• oils;
• paints;
• creams;
• deodorants;
• shaving foam;
• mascara;
• lipstick;
• toothpaste;
• beverages;
• syrups;
• soups;
• cheeses;
• canned food;
• caviar;
• jam;
• homemade preparations.

Thus, it turns out that you can carry caviar and cheese in hand luggage, but not more than 1 liter (in total), which is divided into 100 ml. containers. A normal person cannot imagine hard cheese poured into small bottles, and this often leads to misunderstandings between passengers and employees at airports.

It's a joke about cheese in bottles, but it is advisable that all liquids be in labeled containers, this way you will save yourself from unnecessary questions. It should be remembered that airport workers have the right to open any jar or tube and verify the contents, it doesn’t matter if there is expensive cream or baby food inside.

What can you carry in hand luggage?

What can you take in hand luggage on a plane? Here you should answer the following question for yourself, about the necessity of the things that you carry into the aircraft cabin. It’s understandable when you take documents and really valuable things with you, but when people bring things into the aircraft cabin that could easily survive the flight in the luggage compartment, the question arises: “Why?” I believe that you should take the most necessary and valuable things in your hand luggage, and either check in everything else as checked luggage or not take it at all on your trip.

Beverages

Any drinks in glass, plastic or cardboard packaging up to 100 ml. can be carried in hand luggage; the requirements for packaging drinks from Duty Free stores are more relaxed and are not limited to a volume of 100 ml.

You can carry any drinks and alcohol in your hand luggage, but the strength of alcoholic drinks must be no more than 70%; anything higher is considered a flammable substance and is not allowed for transportation in the aircraft cabin.

Food and food

There are no special requirements or restrictions for food (you should check with your airline) if you are bringing food within reasonable limits (a sandwich for the road or a few apples). It should be remembered that in some states there are strict regulations that prohibit the import of meat, dairy and other products. It should also be noted that some products (for example, cheese, yogurt or caviar) are considered liquids, and the package volume should not exceed 100 ml.

Here is a list of these liquid products:

• caviar;
• yoghurts (regular or drinking);
• soups;
• honey, jam;
• canned food (meat, fish, homemade preparations);
• foods with a lot of sauce or gravy.

Some airlines allow the following solid and dry foods to be taken into the cabin:

• sandwiches;
• sausages, cutlets, sausages;
• cookies, chips, bread, waffles;
• vegetables and fruits;
• sweets, cakes and pastries.

Electronics and modern gadgets

When going through customs at the airport, you will be asked to remove your laptop from your carry-on luggage and place it in the basket for later scanning. Laptop, phone, smartphone, etc. may not be taken into account in the weight of hand luggage and are considered personal items, but here you should study the airline’s rules more carefully.

On some flights to the United States, any electronic device larger than a smartphone is prohibited from being carried in carry-on baggage.

The following electronic devices can be carried in the aircraft cabin:

• mobile phone (with the exception of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones);
• laptop, tablet, e-reader;
• camera, video camera;
• MP3, DVD player.

Medicines

Medicines and medicines needed on the trip can be taken in hand luggage, but please note that you may be asked to prove the need for certain medications (you should have a doctor's instructions on the need to take medications).

Care devices

The following personal devices can be carried in carry-on baggage.

• a safety razor and replacement blades for it, as well as an electric razor;
• hair dryer and other hair styling equipment;
• a toothbrush (including an electric one).

Cosmetics and hygiene products

In hand luggage you can take cosmetics and hygiene products in any (glass, plastic, paper, wooden, etc.) packages with a volume of up to 100 ml.

• cream, gel;
• suntan lotion or oil;
• toothpaste;
• deodorant (solid, spray, roll-on);
• hairspray and foam;
• liquid for contact lenses;
• shampoo, mask, hair conditioner, etc.

Other items in hand luggage

• literature and magazines;
• a painting (its size must not exceed the allowable size for hand luggage);
• dishes, glasses, sets, etc.;
• musical instrument;
• wedding dress and other clothes (must be carried in a special case - a briefcase, it is counted as one
• piece of hand luggage).

It is important to know some features that may surprise you right at the airport (read the passenger's story in the comments to this post). For example, an ordinary skateboard may be considered a weapon and will be asked to be checked in as luggage. I became interested and I checked with the airport representatives whether this was true or not, that’s what they told me. The full answer to my letter can be seen in the photographs.

In accordance with aviation security requirements, according to paragraph 72 of the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104: “items and substances that can be used as weapons of attack, but not prohibited for transportation on board the aircraft, are packaged and transported in as checked baggage.

All restrictions on carrying items in hand luggage can be divided into several groups.

• prohibited for safety reasons - weapons and toys that imitate them (firearms, piercing weapons, etc.), exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, I think everything is clear here;
• prohibited for the convenience of passengers - everyone wants to smuggle their oversized cargo on board, but no one wants to sit next to a friend who brought oversized cargo into the cabin;
• prohibited for commercial purposes - using an airplane cabin as a “gazelle for transportation” is possible, but expensive. If you want to bring 50 kilograms of mangoes from Thailand, pay for the excess and bring them.

Now let's talk about this in more detail, recent events with exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones surprised and scared many. And as a result - a complete ban on the use of this smartphone model on board an aircraft.

Sharp objects, explosive loads and weapons

• It is prohibited to take firearms and any piercing or cutting objects (knife, corkscrew, razor blades, sharp manicure utensils, etc.) into hand luggage;
• working tools (screwdrivers, nails, files, drills, etc.);
• sports equipment (skateboard, roller skates, scooters, baseball bats, etc.).

Electronics and modern gadgets are prohibited in hand luggage

After the scandal with the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, many countries banned bringing Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on board an airplane, and the Federal Air Transport Agency went even further and prohibited bringing this smartphone model even into the airport.

Many airlines have banned the carriage of small personal mobility aids powered by lithium batteries (unicycles, mini-Segways, hoverboards, hoverboards, etc.) in hand luggage and in the cargo compartment.

On March 21, 2017, the US authorities banned the carriage of electronic devices in hand luggage, the ban was imposed on flights from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Passengers from these countries (Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates) traveling non-stop to the United States are prohibited from carrying laptops, tablets, cameras and other electronics in their carry-on luggage. The UK also joined this ban.

Food and food

If you managed to bring food and other food products on board the plane (some airlines are not particularly picky about this), then it is advisable to destroy (eat) it there, since many countries prohibit the import of any agricultural products, meat, milk and etc. without proper certificates.

Carrying hand luggage on an airplane, tricks and life hacks

The main life hack “How not to overpay for excess luggage” is to leave everything unnecessary at home, but not everyone can give themselves such pleasure - traveling with a half-empty backpack, so I’ll tell you how I deal with excess weight in my carry-on luggage.

Usually, I travel with two backpacks, one large (about 45 liters), the other small (30 liters). At the beginning of your journey, all things (including a 30 liter backpack) are placed in a 45 liter backpack and fly as hand luggage in the cabin. During a long trip, backpacks are filled with all sorts of necessary (and not so necessary) things and on the way back they no longer fit into each other, and this is where you have to think about how to optimize the weight and size of your luggage.

Here is a sample list of actions to reduce the weight of your luggage after a long trip:

Make the most of your body- sounds strange, but if you understand that overweight is inevitable, then you can carry some of the things into the cabin of the plane on yourself in the literal sense of the word. For example, you can wear warm clothes from your luggage (it will probably be hot and you will look stupid), you can put small but heavy souvenirs in your pockets, etc.

If you go even further, you can buy fashionable and very practical clothes from the famous brand SCOTTeVEST. Their signature jackets are specially designed for travelers, with top models featuring over 40 pockets of all shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of gadgets and devices. With such functionality, all SCOTTeVEST brand clothing looks fashionable and modern. Any of their little things, be it a cap or panties, will be provided with pockets for storage.

Get rid of everything unnecessary- there are things that there is no point in bringing back and you can get rid of them in a variety of ways, you can simply throw them in the trash, donate them to the natives or sell them off. On my Indian trip, a gift in the form of an ordinary ballpoint pen evoked extremely positive emotions among local children.

Find a travel companion- if you find a fellow traveler who doesn’t have as much luggage as you, you can always ask for a favor. But here you should be very careful and trust the person (and he should also trust you), because where is the guarantee that it may end up in the things you handed over and where is the guarantee that a new acquaintance will return your luggage.

Send part of your luggage by mail- every country has a post office and this fact should not be ignored. The cost of sending to Russia will cost some money, but it is much cheaper than tariffs for excess luggage.