What can you carry on an airplane? Carry-on luggage: what you can take with you on the plane. Number of pieces of hand luggage

In our hand luggage we usually take everything that may be useful to us on the road, from documents to entertainment during the flight. Moreover, sometimes this is the only bag or suitcase that a traveler can take with him.

You need to pack carefully, and not only because the dimensions of hand luggage are limited. It is very important not to accidentally take something that is not allowed in your hand luggage on a plane - and this is a very long list.

The meaning of some prohibitions is obvious, others seem ridiculous: why can’t you take water on a plane, why can you read in flight, but not knitting?

But in fact, all bans are dictated by safety considerations and are often introduced after emergency incidents on board. There are known cases when terrorists created explosives already in flight, bringing individual components on board, and used improvised means to threaten the crew and passengers.

Our review contains all the information that will probably be useful to a traveler:

• how much liquid can be carried on an airplane;
• how to transport medicines;
• is it possible to take food on the plane;
• Is it allowed to take baby food with you?

Knowing the answers to these questions, you will easily get ready for the trip.

List of prohibited items on the plane

The list of items that are prohibited from being carried in checked luggage and in hand luggage is noticeably different. Baggage requirements are less stringent: you cannot carry obviously dangerous things (explosives, ammunition, drugs, flammable, caustic and toxic substances). There are much more requirements for hand luggage, although here the safety of passengers comes first.

Here is a general list of what you can’t take on board an airplane as hand luggage:

• explosive, toxic, flammable, caustic substances - these include an ordinary mercury thermometer and nail polish remover;
• weapons, including souvenir and prop weapons (however, you can carry weapons in your luggage, so put a child’s machine gun or a pistol-shaped lighter in your suitcase);
• piercing and cutting objects - these include scissors, files, razors, syringe needles, knitting needles and crochet hooks, metal table knives and forks, corkscrews, construction tools;
• liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml (for details and exceptions, see the section “Carrying liquids in hand luggage”).

Detailed lists, often accompanied by infographics, can be found on the websites of airports and air carriers.

Airports have the right to soften or tighten the rules for carrying hand luggage. Increased security measures are resorted to on the eve of significant events (festivals, sporting competitions) or in connection with the threat of terrorist attacks.

Regulations in different countries allow airport authorities to introduce additional security requirements.

For example, Appendix No. 1 to the Rules for Pre-Flight and Post-Flight Inspections (RF)* states that Russian airports may prohibit taking knitting needles and nail scissors with a blade length of up to 6 cm into the aircraft cabin.

At the same time, some travelers confirm that they successfully passed security checks with such items in their hand luggage.

Many states, airports and airlines have additional lists of what items cannot be taken on planes. We recommend that you find out before your flight whether there are any special restrictions on transportation, so as not to run into trouble during check-in for the flight and going through security.

Carrying liquids in hand luggage

There are many reasons to carry liquids in your hand luggage. This includes water for drinking (passengers are not fed and watered on every flight), and antiseptic, and hand cream, and toothpaste, and a bottle of medicine. You will be allowed to take all this with you if you follow the rules for transporting liquids in hand luggage.

Firstly, Liquids, from the point of view of air transportation rules, are considered to be:

• body and hair care products, toothpaste, deodorants, shaving foam, etc.;
• decorative cosmetics;
• perfumes and eau de toilette;
• medicines in the form of syrups, solutions, drops, etc.;
• some food products (drinking water, soup, puree, pate, yogurt, cottage cheese, soft cheeses, fish roe, preserves, jams, jellies, honey, canned food);
• alcohol.

Secondly, there is a volume limitation. The volume of liquid carried in hand luggage must not exceed 100 ml.

This means that water, antiseptic, shampoo, juice must be in individual packaging of up to 100 ml. If you take a large bottle of shampoo that is only partially filled, the shampoo will have to be thrown away at the airport.

Thirdly, the general The volume of liquids in hand luggage is no more than 1 liter. In this case, all bubbles and bags with liquid must be placed in one transparent plastic bag. At the airport, this package is checked separately from other things.

The rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage do not apply to baby food, medicines and goods purchased at Duty Free. Although here you need to know the features:

• medicines can be carried in the amount that you need for the duration of the flight (if you are flying with a transfer, feel free to calculate the total duration of the journey);
• in Duty Free stores, all goods are packed in a transparent plastic bag, a receipt is also placed there, and all this must remain packed throughout the flight;
• The amount of baby food should also be calculated for the duration of the flight - the rest of the baby food that you don’t dare pack in your luggage will need to be handed over at the check-in counter: it will be carried in the aircraft cabin.

Read more about the nuances of transporting liquids in hand luggage on an airplane in the following sections.

As for drinking water, many travelers take an empty bottle with them and fill it with water from drinking fountains after going through security. If you are still not allowed to carry an empty bottle, the losses will be minimal.

Is it possible to take food on board the plane?

Taking food on a plane is advisable, and in some cases necessary. Even if the flight itself does not last long, you will have to spend two hours at the airport before departure, and even after landing you will not immediately have the opportunity to eat properly.

In addition, low-cost airlines do not include on-board meals in the ticket price. This means it’s worth taking a light snack or a full lunch with you on the road.

The question of whether it is possible to bring food on a plane has now been decided unequivocally - it is possible. To avoid starvation on the road, bring sandwiches, dried fruits, nuts, cookies, and candies. You are allowed to take fresh vegetables and fruits into the cabin, but it is advisable to take a little of them to eat during the flight.

Perishable foods should be placed in a thermal bag and eaten first. It is not recommended to take food with a strong smell.

What you can take on a plane from food for babies:

• baby food in jars;
• baby water;
• breast milk or breast milk substitute in bottles;
• boiled vegetables and meat without broth;
• cookie.

If you are planning to bring food with you other than to eat it on the road, be sure to check what import and export restrictions exist in the countries of departure and destination.

Thus, you will not be allowed into EU countries with meat products, and the law is similarly strict for dairy products (the ban does not apply to baby food). There are special bans on the export of food in the countries of Southeast Asia - there you cannot take durian, watermelons, or coconuts on the plane. In Vietnam, Nuoc Mam sauce is banned.

As a rule, alcohol can only be taken on board an airplane if it was purchased at a Duty Free store. Appendix No. 1 to the Rules for Pre-flight and Post-Flight Inspections (RF)* stipulates that alcohol can be transported in luggage, but nothing is said about hand luggage. The rules for air transportation of passengers and baggage (Ukraine)** contain the same rule.

Meanwhile, difficulties may arise with transporting Duty Free goods in hand luggage. For example, alcohol purchased outside the Schengen area may not be allowed to be transported into EU countries. Be prepared for the fact that when transferring at an airport in any EU country, you will be asked to put alcohol in your luggage.

It is also worth considering that in most countries there is a certain limit on the import and export of alcohol; these also need to be taken into account. Thus, you cannot bring more than 1 liter of alcohol into Egypt and Thailand, and the amount in your luggage and hand luggage is taken into account. The import of alcohol into Saudi Arabia is prohibited.

Cosmetics and personal care products

A neat cosmetic bag in hand luggage can also become the subject of attention of customs officers. You will be surprised, but there are also liquids there: mascara, lip gloss, foundation.

And liquids on board the plane, as we have already found out, can only be carried in a separate transparent bag, in containers up to 100 ml, with a total volume of no more than 1 liter.

Perfume and eau de toilette can be carried in hand luggage on an airplane if they meet the liquid standards. Feel free to take a 50-ml bottle of perfume in your hand luggage, and it’s better to put a large package of eau de toilette in your luggage.

The decision to carry knitting needles, embroidery needles, and nail scissors in hand luggage is made by airport administrations. They have the right to prohibit the carriage of such items, so it is better to pack them in your luggage.

Let's give some tips on how to collect cosmetics to freely take them on board the aircraft.

1. Do not throw away the shampoo and gel packaging provided by the hotel. Small bottles will come in handy on your next travels.
2. You can buy a special travel kit for the plane: it is a transparent bag with small bottles and jars up to 100 ml. You can pour shampoo, body gel, micellar water, tonic, cream into them. These are reusable packages and you can reuse them.
3. In a transparent bag, which you will show during inspection, place mascara, lip gloss, foundation, skincare products, toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, perfume or eau de toilette.
4. Place a manicure set, nail polishes and nail polish remover in your luggage, and if necessary, put a nail clipper (nail clippers) and a soft file in your hand luggage.

Is it possible to carry medications on an airplane?

Experienced travelers always take a first aid kit with medications for emergencies and chronic diseases on the road. But you need to take into account that not all medicines are, in principle, allowed to be imported into other countries, and not all medical devices can be taken into the cabin. Let's figure out what you can and can't take on a plane.

The general rule is that you can carry medications in your carry-on luggage if you need to take them while traveling. Have a prescription or medical certificate confirming this need. Let us remind you that the restriction on the transportation of liquids also applies to medicines.

Customs regulations in different countries provide for the possibility of transporting liquid medications in containers larger than 100 ml in hand luggage if you need to take them while traveling.

Make sure the medications are in the original container (do not put them in another bottle to save space) and that they have not expired.

Another restriction concerns the transportation of psychotropic (narcotic) drugs. This category includes tranquilizers, and in addition to them - strong painkillers, antitussives containing codeine, antibiotics, pseudoephedrine-based vasoconstrictors, antihistamines containing chlorphenamine maleate, and some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Questions may arise even when transporting alcohol tinctures.

If you really need to carry one of these medications, confirm this need with a prescription from a doctor, even if the drug is over-the-counter, a receipt from the pharmacy and instructions (preferably in English).

In addition, before your flight, check what restrictions on the import of medications there are in the country where you are going or where you will be connecting.

It is advisable for a tourist with diabetes to have a medical certificate in order to freely transport insulin preparations, syringes, insulin pens, a glucometer, an alcohol solution, special food, etc. in hand luggage.

Try to take a minimum of medications in your hand luggage. During the flight, if the need arises, you can ask the flight attendants for medicine: there is a first aid kit on every plane.

Another common question from parents who travel with children: is it possible to take a mercury thermometer on a plane? Air travel regulations in different countries say that a mercury thermometer can only be carried in luggage.

You are allowed to carry an electronic or infrared thermometer in your hand luggage. If you don't have one, you can count on a thermometer in your on-board first aid kit.

If you are traveling with children

Families traveling with children have to take much more stuff with them than adult tourists. The airlines understand this and accommodate young travelers. If you are flying with a child under two years of age, you will be able to take a few more items into the cabin, in addition to hand luggage:

• cradle for sleeping;
• folding stroller;
• baby food in jars for the entire duration of the holiday, and not just for the duration of the flight.

To carry baby food in the cabin, you need to agree in advance with the air carrier. In this case, the baby food will be processed as fragile luggage, and it will not be carried in the luggage compartment, but in the aircraft cabin.

When packing luggage for a trip, you should take into account the rules for importing items of the country in which the passenger will arrive. Otherwise, you may encounter the unpleasant moment of having your things searched and confiscated. You need to clearly know what you cannot carry in your luggage on the plane or in what quantities. Since there are restrictions on the volume of liquid and other factors.

And if there is a violation in at least one of the parameters, the airline may require additional payment. In addition, children under 10 years of age are allocated a place for luggage weighing no more than 10 kilograms. After 12 years, the rate increases to standard.

Prohibited items for carriage in luggage when flying on any airline

The very first item on the list of items prohibited for transportation is a ban on potentially dangerous things, such as:

1. All types of weapons: firearms, cold steel, gas, pneumatic guns. This category also includes stun guns of any power.
2. Items created on the basis of explosives: TNT, ammonal, gunpowder, dynamite, explosive liquids and the like.
3. Pyrotechnic and signaling items: firecrackers, smoke bombs, signal flares.
4. Gas: substances liquefied and compressed in cylinders, technical or household, aerosol. This group also includes items such as a lighter and a can for refilling it.
5. Flammable liquids: ether, menthol, acetone, brake fluid, any substances based on petroleum products.
6. Highly flammable substances in solid form: matchboxes, potassium, sodium, phosphorus and others.
7. Substances containing poison and other toxic components based on nicotine, arsenic, strychnine, mercury.
8. Things that can contribute to corrosion: salt, acid, peroxide, lime.
9. Spreading radiation.
10. Items with a magnetized structure.

In addition, baggage transportation rules prohibit bringing on board any items that could damage the cargo or harm people’s health. For example, dry ice or asbestos.

When traveling to Russia from another country, it is worth knowing that the import of live plants, seeds or soil is strictly prohibited.

Important! It is allowed to transport piercing weapons such as a crossbow, scimitar, rapier and sword in the luggage compartment of an aircraft.

What happens if prohibited items are found in a suitcase?

Once airport security officers discover that a passenger is carrying a dangerous weapon without a pre-approved permit, it is seized and turned over to the police. The airline client will be removed from the flight until the investigation is completed.

If the cargo prohibited for transportation by plane does not pose a danger or value, it is disposed of according to the rules. If items and valuables are important to the passenger, it is possible to leave them in storage to be retrieved upon return.

Usually things that are on the prohibited list are already found at the reception desk. Therefore, they are most often given to mourners or left in storage rooms. In addition, it is possible to send them through the post office. Items that cannot be carried in the cabin, but are permitted to be carried in the luggage compartment, will need to be transferred to luggage.

If customs officers find prohibited items in your carry-on luggage during post-passport inspection, they will confiscate them. But the passenger has the opportunity, after drawing up a seizure report, to leave things with the airport service with a guarantee of return after the return flight. In some cases, airline employees meet halfway and independently hand over items to the baggage compartment with the possibility of receiving them on the belt.

If controversial situations arise, the passenger should carefully consider the situation and not be nervous. If you contact the airline employees kindly, the incident can be resolved without losing items dear to your heart. They will help you find a way out of this situation. If a passenger shows aggression, he may be removed from the flight.

What is allowed in luggage?

Any item that is not classified as dangerous can be carried on an airplane. For the convenience of passengers, airline tickets often provide a complete list of what can be carried in luggage. But it must be taken into account that there is no one standard for all countries. The main reference point in this case is the country where the passenger is going.

The list of such items, for example, includes religious items and books if the passenger lands in Dubai.

Alcohol that was purchased directly at the airport in a duty-free store is allowed to be carried in hand luggage. But provided that the packaging is not opened and there is a cash receipt. Low-cost airlines have slightly different rules in this regard and may not allow alcohol on board, even if purchased at a duty-free store. Or you will need to pay a certain fee.

In order to transfer prescription drugs and drugs that contain psychotropic or narcotic impurities, you will need to show a prescription from a doctor. If the flight is international, then they will also have to be declared to avoid problems with the customs service.

The only exception is passengers with diabetes who require insulin. They can carry syringes and glucometers along with the medicine.

During domestic flights, airlines allow solid food to be carried in the cabin if it does not cause the weight or size limits to be exceeded. But when flying internationally, you need to check in advance about the possibility of carrying food. It is often prohibited to take fish, meat or dairy products on such flights. This is due to the fact that such products are considered perishable, and there is a possibility of infectious diseases occurring, which can develop into an epidemic.

Items that can be put in luggage in a limited volume

Subject to precautions and restrictions, the following items can be checked into the luggage compartment:

1. Cutting things intended for household use.
2. Alcohol-based drinks must be transported in manufacturer's containers with an alcohol content of no more than 70%.
3. Liquids containing alcohol if they contain less than 24% alcohol.
4. Sports and household aerosols.
5. Thermometer packed in a standard case. No more than 1 piece per airline client.

What items can be carried in hand luggage, subject to restrictions:

1. Medical thermometers without mercury or in a case from the manufacturer. No more than one copy per passenger.
2. Barometer with mercury, hermetically packed with the sender's seal.
3. Non-refillable lighter, no more than one.
4. A mixture of dry ice intended to refrigerate perishable foods, but not exceeding two kilograms.
5. Three percent hydrogen peroxide in a volume of no more than one hundred milliliters per person.
6. Liquids and aerosols that do not endanger the life and health of passengers are transported in a volume of one hundred milliliters. Or packed in a plastic transparent bag of no more than one liter.

About transporting fragile items in luggage

Fragile items are processed according to the same principle as any other passenger item, based on weight or space occupied in the luggage compartment of the aircraft.

The system of payment by baggage weight is widespread in the CIS, Europe and Asian countries; it is assumed that things will be transported free of charge, but a limit is set. If the total weight of items exceeds the established parameters, the airline client will need to pay extra for the excess weight.

Paying for the space occupied by baggage is most often practiced in America, but at the same time, such a system can be found among air carriers in Australia, Russia and Europe. According to the rules, passengers in economy class are allowed to check into the luggage compartment one suitcase or bag weighing no more than twenty-three kilograms. Customers who have purchased business class tickets are given an additional seat with a total weight of no more than 64 kg.

When transporting fragile luggage, the entire procedure follows standard rules; the only difference is the mandatory mark, which must be attached to the package. All luggage marked with this sticker is loaded into the luggage compartment manually. However, airlines are not responsible for storing items.

If you are concerned that fragile cargo will not be safe, even with such a mark, it can be transported in hand luggage. But subject to the conditions on acceptable parameters, that is, the weight should not exceed 5-10 kilograms, depending on the established weight limit.

When transporting fragile cargo, it is necessary to provide it with high-quality packaging. For example, putting an item in a box with sealed walls. It is also necessary to avoid voids around it. It would be best to fill them with foam, paper parcels or clothing. Thus, the passenger will protect fragile cargo from chaotic movement inside the box.

If an airline customer is transporting liquids in glass bottles, they must be placed in an airtight container and then placed in a clear Ziploc bag.

Traveling by plane, especially a long one, gives rise to many questions in the minds of passengers, the main one of which is the following: What can and cannot be taken with you? Of course, inside the hand bag there should be all the essentials that you may need during a flight in Russia or abroad to make it as comfortable as possible.

Not all things familiar in everyday life can be taken in hand luggage on a plane. We will look at the new rules for 2020, which determine not only the size and permissible weight of hand luggage, but also the things allowed for transportation in the cabin of an airliner.

What food can you take with you in your hand luggage?

Food is a basic need for every person, therefore airlines, with the exception of:

• Liquid dishes;
• Strong-smelling foods (the most common ban is durian);
• Products of animal origin (when traveling abroad to some countries).

If you are planning to travel by air for the first time, choose foods that can be easily eaten while sitting in a confined space. We advise you to prefer snacks in individual packages (nuts, dried fruits, candies or soft cookies), which do not stain your hands or crumble. It is not recommended to take fruits or vegetables that need to be peeled - if you cannot do without them, then prepare them in advance and pack them in a plastic container.

As for liquids, remember: each citizen can carry no more than one liter in hand luggage on an airplane, while all drinks, solutions and other liquids (lotions, shampoos, gels) brought on board must be poured into bottles with a volume of no more than 100 ml . These rules do not include baby food in the amount required for the duration of the flight.

Advice. On long flights, to avoid dehydration, you can take an empty plastic bottle with you and ask the flight attendant to fill it with drinking water as needed.

Availability of medications in hand luggage

On board the aircraft, you have every right to take any medications prescribed by your doctor, and their form does not matter. The main condition for the absence of problems during inspection is to present an official certificate confirming the need to take medications during the flight.

Do not forget that the rules for transporting liquids also apply to medicines: the volume of the medicine bottle should not exceed 100 ml.

Mobile electronics

According to the 2020 rules, carry-on luggage may contain any mobile digital electronics. You can always take a music player, laptop or tablet to brighten up the flight hours by listening to your favorite music or watching the events of a movie.

The bag may also contain electrical hair care products (hair dryers, straightening irons or electric shavers). You are allowed to take an electronic cigarette into the cabin, but its use during the flight is not recommended.

Advice. If you want to take a photo or video of a celestial panorama or capture details of your first flight, you can easily do this by taking a camera or video camera with you.

You can also take a mobile phone on board, but you must switch it to offline mode before takeoff. The same goes for tablets.

Small items and accessories on board the aircraft

As part of your hand luggage, you also have the right to bring the following things into the cabin:

• Personal documents (to avoid their loss when luggage is delayed en route);
• Jewelry (this will be calmer and safer);
• Valuable items that do not exceed the permitted dimensions of hand luggage;
• Cosmetics (liquid forms are carried according to the rules for liquids);
• Paste and toothbrush.

Some companies confiscate potentially dangerous items that would not normally cause concern, such as a manicure set. Therefore, it is not advisable to take such items into the cabin of an airliner.

What is prohibited to take in hand luggage

In the process of preparing for a flight, it is important to know exactly. Firstly, these are liquids in vessels with a volume of more than 100 ml. The total volume of the bottles should not exceed a liter. It is not recommended to transport aerosols - during inspection they are often confiscated and classified as explosive substances.

Secondly, strong medications, psychotropic and narcotic substances, and powerful painkillers are prohibited from being carried on board. An exception is medications with a prescription from the attending physician.

Thirdly, it is prohibited to take weapons in your hand luggage. The ban also applies to toys that exactly imitate existing firearms. This category also includes piercing and cutting objects that can harm others (forks and knives, knitting needles, screwdrivers, scissors). Exceptions are a cane, selfie stick, and umbrella.

Dimensions and weight of hand luggage

Since airlines are free to set their own luggage, you should check the rules of your chosen carrier before flying.

In general, the basic dimensions of luggage should not exceed 115 cm in the sum of three sides. As for weight, it should not be more than 10-15 kg. It is noteworthy that in the business class cabins of most airlines you are allowed to take two seats (take two bags) with the specified dimensions.

There are also air carriers that have canceled free carry-on luggage. These include low-cost airlines such as Pobeda: low ticket prices impose certain inconveniences on flight conditions, so you have to pay for additional comfort. Pobeda, for example, has a minimum fare for hand luggage of 999 rubles. Read the new rules for carrying hand luggage on the Pobeda plane.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that it is not necessary to take a lot of things with you. If the flight is no more than three hours, then most of the listed things can be done without. Take only the essentials so as not to carry unnecessary cargo around the airport and not be crowded with it in the cabin. Follow the carriers' rules and fly with pleasure!

Just an angelic tackle: how to meet people at the airport or on a plane

Let us explain the news: for the first time in Russia they began to sort waste after flights

Return non-refundable items: what to do with air tickets if you change your mind about flying

Free museums and olives: how to save money in Genoa

Let's explain the news: a tourist was arrested for wearing a bikini on the beach

If the lady from Marshak’s children’s poem were traveling by plane, it would not be so easy for her to check in a painting, a basket and a piece of cardboard as luggage. A dog without a passport would not have been allowed on board at all. It is almost impossible to remember all the details, what, why, how and where you can transport it. But the main thing is to know where to turn. Start your dive into the wonderful world of rules for carrying everything on a plane with our article.

For navigation:

How much weight does a plane lift?

The weight of an aircraft is a variable quantity consisting of a bunch of interrelated variables. The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft is specified during production, but what it will consist of varies from flight to flight.

First, you need to remember that there are different types of aircraft: from small Embraer E-175 to wide-body Boeing 777, where there can be 10 seats in one row.

Secondly, the flight range matters: the amount of fuel required depends on it. That’s why large airplanes fly over long distances: they have more wing lift and can carry more people and luggage that make up the commercial load. Fuel, by the way, is calculated before the flight depending on the cabin load - and who loaded it, a children's camp of skinny seven-year-olds or impressive men. And also from the weather, the distance of the alternate airfield, the built-in need to stop for refueling somewhere in the middle of the journey... Oh, everything is complicated there.

In principle, airplanes have different passenger capacity, and it does not directly depend on its type. The same aircraft model may have different distances between seats, and may or may not have first and business classes. This is already the airline's entertainment field. For charter companies, for example, it is not profitable to offer privileged classes: the more passengers you can transport, the more trips you can sell, everything is in the black.

When loading the luggage compartment, not only tonnage matters, but also volume. Simply put: the load can be large but light (like a batch of duvets), or it can be small but weighty. If the load is heavy, there is a limit on the load on the floors. And dangerous goods require more space around them. A whole science.

So the total permissible weight of the luggage compartment, as well as the entire aircraft, with fuel and the corpulent Aunt Manya in the next seat, will always be different. That's why smart people came up with the average weight of luggage and carry-on luggage with the expectation that someone will take less, and someone will pay for the excess. Baggage can weigh 20, 23, 25 kg, hand luggage - 5, 7, 8, 10 kg, depending on the airline. And in 99% of cases, this will be written to you in detail on the itinerary receipt.

Liquids

The rules for carry-on luggage are quite strict. In total, you can carry no more than 1 liter of liquid (rum from duty free does not count), but each bottle can be no more than 100 ml in volume. “On the bottom” will not work: this is the case when not only the amount of liquid matters, but also the size of the bottle. And in an ideal world, all bottles and vials should be placed in a resealable transparent bag.

In fact, not everyone makes sure that all liquids are packaged in the notorious 18x20 cm transparent bag. At Moscow airports, no one pays attention to this additional packaging. But at the airport of the same Marseille, if, God forbid, you put nail polishes or mini-shampoos in different places, you will be forced to collect them throughout your suitcase and put them in a bag, which they, careless people, will give you anyway . It’s easier to prepare in advance and not be that bad person who slows down the entire line for inspection.

Anything over 100 ml goes into luggage. It is prohibited to transport flammable liquids in any form, so you will have to look for something to light a fire on the spot. Radioactive, poisonous and toxic is also a no-no. Liquefied gases, oxidizing substances and organic peroxides, not including hydrogen peroxide, are also prohibited. Play chemists at home.

How to carry alcohol on a plane

The amount of alcohol per passenger is regulated by customs. For example, 3 liters of alcohol per person over 18 years of age can be imported duty-free into the Russian Federation, with a duty of up to 5 liters; The norms differ in different countries. You cannot drink alcohol you brought with you or bought in duty-free on board. Although your neighbor behind you may drink a dozen small bottles of whiskey, this is generally prohibited. This habit may come back to haunt him in the future, when airline blacklists become not the exception, but the rule.

Water on the plane

You can take water with you on the plane, but only that which you buy at exorbitant prices at the airport after going through security. Your bottle will be asked to throw away in advance because it is clearly over 100ml. At many airports in the clean area there are fountains with drinking water, which you can use to fill a bottle you have stored, but civilization has not yet reached everywhere.

How to carry perfume and eau de toilette on a plane

Eau de toilette is also water, but special. In hand luggage, it is subject to the general rules for transporting liquids (no more than 100 ml, but you can buy a large bottle in duty-free). But some countries have import restrictions. For example, you cannot import more than 50 ml of perfume and 250 ml of eau de toilette into Ireland. If you are not going to sell perfumes, this will be enough for you.

How to carry food on a plane

In the case of food, it is not so much the rules for transportation directly on the plane that are important, but the customs regulations of the countries between which you are flying. Moreover, they relate to both import and export. Well, sanctions, where would we be without it?

You can't officially bring food into the United States. This doesn’t stop some people who go to visit American friends from bringing in a jar of caviar, so they put on a straight face at the security check in the States. But in general, joking with American customs and border guards is very risky.

The French won't let you out with cheese in your hand luggage. They’ll take the tasty treat for themselves and won’t wince. If your soul requires a kilogram of brie or Roquefort, check it in your luggage. Or buy at duty-free, but the selection and prices there will not be the same as in a store in the city.

Is it possible to carry caviar, fish and other seafood on an airplane?

From the territory of Russia you can export up to 5 kg of fish and seafood and up to 250 g of sturgeon caviar in original packaging with store receipts. Beyond this, it is impossible to export sea wealth. And to import up to 5 kg of products of plant origin (except for seeds, seed material, planting material, potatoes) and up to 5 kg of products of animal origin. The latter can only be ready-made and in original packaging. We also periodically introduce bans and restrictions on the import of products from certain countries, which you also need to read about before your trip. The list of products prohibited for import into Russia can be found on the Rosselkhoznadzor website.

Meat, sausage, fruit

This applies to both meat and fruits, which simply cannot be imported from a number of countries. Most likely, you won’t be allowed on the plane with a whole watermelon, because it might burst. And with coconut, the peel of which cannot be cleared during inspection. Rules for exporting products from exotic countries like Thailand need to be clarified with the air carrier. You still won’t be able to import more than 5 kg, as we remember, but they will advise you on proper packaging.

Special rules may apply to anything with a strong smell. Even lemons from a customs-friendly country may not be allowed on board, because the strong smell of citrus fruits will displease other passengers. So those same French people who take away your cheese are just taking care of their seatmates, yes.

It's about the same story with sausage. They may prohibit you from taking it in hand luggage because of the aroma, and it is clearly not an essential product on a flight. Plus, you can’t import animal products into many countries: you never know, maybe you’ll introduce some kind of epidemic. The problem is the same with lard (if it’s in factory packaging, ok; if it’s in homemade packaging, then it’s out of bounds). So again: read the customs regulations of the destination country!

Honey, canned food, cakes

• Honey and oils, unless otherwise specified by customs regulations, can be transported in the same way as any liquids. Small containers will easily reach their destination on the plane, but large ones will fit in your luggage.
• Canned food It is worth checking in luggage and cans - depending on their volume. A small glass jar of jam or the same honey in hand luggage has never harmed anyone.
• If the stars align in such a way that you need to be carried on a plane cake, then know: formally you can transport cakes. But, just in case, check with the airline. They might be a little surprised there. Or regard the cake as a liquid in some places, and then you yourself remember the rules.
• What no one will prohibit are chocolates, candy bars, muesli, cookies and other sweets in factory packaging. Kilograms of all kinds of overseas sweets or a light snack for late flights are not taken away.

Baby food on the plane

Baby food is a special issue. It does not have to fit into the 100 ml standard; you can take it on board if you are flying with a child. This also includes dietary nutrition. At the same time, in the United States it is prohibited to carry powders and baby food with a volume of 12 ounces or 350 ml on board an aircraft.

Is it possible to carry hookahs, IQOS, vapes, lighters and cigarettes on a plane?

As for all sorts of things for smoking: you can carry them, you can’t use them. In terms of actual transportation, vapes, electronic cigarettes and IQOS most likely fall under the concept of electronics (more on that below). You need to take all this stuff into the cabin; you can’t charge it from sockets on the plane.

• The vast majority of airlines prohibit smoking in the aircraft cabin, including electronic cigarettes. IQOS is a new thing, it is not yet mentioned in advertisements, but in essence it is almost the same device, except that there is no water in it. Therefore, you cannot use IQOS on board an airplane.
• On some (especially American) airlines, it happens that people quietly smoke a vape right in the cabin, and flight attendants pass by. But this is the exception rather than the rule: smoke detectors have not been canceled. Then, like the poor Chinese, you will be warming up in Anadyr due to an emergency landing when these sensors are triggered.
• Nothing prohibits you from taking a hookah with you, but in many southern countries, where they are usually carried from, all parts except the glass bulb are asked to be checked in as luggage. Because the pipe can be used as a weapon.
• Information for the conservative: the amount of imported tobacco products is regulated by the customs of each specific country. Usually this is 200 cigarettes per person (one block), or 50 cigarillos, or 250 g of tobacco. In a number of eastern countries, where healthy lifestyle has not yet reached, more is allowed.
• Well, another important thing for smokers is that a disposable lighter can almost always be carried in hand luggage (one piece per person). This does not apply to gasoline lighters like Zippos; they cannot be carried on most airlines.

Medicines and syringes

This also depends on the country. In the UAE, for example, this is terribly strict: the import of antipyretics, painkillers and many other drugs is severely limited. You cannot import even basic Corvalol or Pentalgin. It’s also difficult with codeine-containing drugs (although it’s easy for some), as with antidepressants. To travel to Australia, you need to get prescriptions for everything, because they are extremely careful when it comes to importing medications. Analgin cannot be imported into the USA. If you have any questions or needs, it is better to study the customs regulations of the destination country and drug components in advance or consult the embassy.

Usually they ask to carry medicines in original packaging, and not to pour all the pills in a row into one jar. It's logical. In fact, most customs officers don’t care, but to avoid unnecessary hassle, it’s better to do it according to science.

Prescription drugs require a prescription. And by this word we do not mean a sticker with an advertisement for a drug on which the local doctor practices writing illegibly, but a real document with stamps and other amenities.

You need to be prepared for the fact that every tablet in your carry-on luggage may raise a question. A case from practice: on the flight (!) from Tunisia, the inspection service, standing over a gutted bag, demanded a prescription for noshpa for half an hour.

In principle, this is usually not very scary: already on the flight home you will lose standard pills for your stomach or head. But if this happens on flights far from home or with expensive medications, it’s not so fun. Therefore, it is better to hide important pills in a suitcase, and take only the necessary minimum with you to the salon. Or, if you are flying without luggage, play it safe with prescriptions.

To transport syringes and needles, you must also obtain medical documents confirming the need to fly with them. This is especially true for people with insulin-dependent diabetes, so that no one has an absurd requirement to check insulin in their luggage - this drug must be handled with care, and the luggage compartment of an airplane does not require this. Hypodermic needles cannot be transported without medical justification.

Weapons and folding knives

According to the rules of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, you can carry in your luggage crossbows, spearguns, checkers, sabers, cleavers, scimitars, broadswords, swords, rapiers, bayonets, daggers, knives with ejectable blades, with locking locks, simulators of any type of weapon.

Other weapons (for example, air pistols) can also be transported if all the paperwork is present, unless there is a restriction, as is often imposed during international sporting events. When checking in for a flight, you must inform airline representatives that you are carrying a weapon. Aeroflot asks such passengers to arrive early and check in no later than an hour and a half before departure.

On domestic flights, the owner of the weapon must have the appropriate permit; when importing or exporting weapons, a permit must be issued from the authorized body of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Be prepared for the fact that upon departure the weapon will be taken away for “temporary storage” and will be issued only at the destination airport. It must be transported unloaded in proper packaging (holster, case, etc.), and ammunition must travel separately. The weight of this same ammunition should not exceed 5 kg per passenger. Cartridges for gas weapons are prohibited for transportation by air. In addition, the circulation of imported electroshock devices is prohibited, that is, you cannot buy a stun gun abroad and bring it to Russia.

Some countries have their own characteristics. For example, Vietnam and Belarus require that air pistols be handed over with the obligatory execution of a Transfer Certificate, and Spain has gone even further - they need any weapon, even fake ones, to be marked with special tags.

Important: you cannot even take imitation weapons into the salon. That is, we check toy pistols in luggage, despite the protests of five-year-old and thirty-five-year-old children.

Household knives and scissors can be carried in luggage. True, if you want to bring a cleaver, perhaps it will be sent for examination to see if it is a bladed weapon. But even folding (without a lock) travel or pocket knives with a blade length of less than 60 mm cannot be carried in hand luggage. Moreover, this rule is written in the section about booze from duty-free. So that they don’t open the package and bottle and get drunk. Corkscrews are also not allowed into the salon. And knitting needles. And then you never know.

Cash

As you understand, it is not the weight that is important here, but the quantity of currency (although a thousand bucks in one-cent coins will raise certain questions for any sane person). In general, declare and export millions, but without additional delays you are allowed to travel with the equivalent of 10,000 US dollars. Rarely do people need that much money in cash, but anything can happen.

The export of national currency from some countries is prohibited. Such states include Egypt, Tunisia and many other countries with their own unique money. Amateur numismatists can only be advised to hide a small amount of local money among the rubles and be ready to part with them if something happens (then make surprised eyes and say that you forgot what to take from you, tourists).

Cosmetics

• Creams, gels and other similar cosmetics are regulated in the same way as all liquids. You can take tubes and cones with a volume of no more than 100 ml into the salon, in total no more than 1 liter, and so on, and so on. You can take larger containers into your luggage, but several identical cones can be regarded as a commercial lot for sale, which must be declared.
• Paste (even toothpaste) belongs here, and it also needs to be placed in a bag of liquids. There is nothing illegal about carrying it in hand luggage, but you may not like it at security. For some reason, the Chinese are suspicious of it and love to open and sniff tubes of toothpaste while going through security. But maybe they just like it. We don't judge.
• Aerosols, even if they are not completely liquid and under pressure, can be transported along with liquid. According to Russian rules, it is permissible in luggage to carry aerosols intended for use for sports or household purposes, the valves of the cans are protected by caps, in containers with a capacity of no more than 0.5 kg or 500 ml. No more than 2 kg or 2 liters per passenger. In hand luggage - the same 100 ml.

  Aerosols, including deodorants, marked “flammable” are prohibited from being carried in hand luggage, even if the canister has a volume of less than 100 ml.

• We remember about small nail scissors: they, like a corkscrew, cannot be taken into the salon. An iron nail file can also be considered a weapon. So manicure items need to be checked in luggage. Or endure without them and fly with one soft file in your bag.

Electronics

Household electronic devices such as phones, power banks, laptops in hand luggage do not raise any questions. It is also not prohibited to check them in (turned off!) as luggage, but for the integrity and safety of your equipment, it is still more logical to take them with you into the cabin. Exception - ppower banks. They cannot be checked in as checked baggage, only in hand luggage.

At one time, airlines warned that it was strictly prohibited to carry Samsung Galaxy Note 7 on board (these are the same phones that exploded more often than they worked). The hype around them has died down now, but keep this in mind.

Professional audio and video equipment usually requires an airline permit.

You can take with you a hairdryer, electric razor, straightening iron or curling iron (if it is not pointed). In general, if an electrical device fits into the parameters of hand luggage, you can carry it, but in each specific case, a specific employee may not like it. Especially if you have a waffle iron, electric grill or something else.

Regular batteries and large accumulators should be carried in hand luggage, making sure that they do not accidentally short circuit with each other. Carrying spare batteries (separately from equipment) in luggage is prohibited.

A special place is occupied by small-sized means of personal transportation, in Russian - unicycles, Segways, hoverboards, electric scooters and hoverboards. The reason is the large lithium batteries they run on. At Aeroflot (which follows the recommendations of IATA, the International Air Transport Association), they must be checked in as baggage after first removing the battery and taking it in hand luggage. The battery must meet the power standard: 160 Wh. If the battery cannot be removed, such a device is processed through the airport cargo terminal as “dangerous cargo.”

Other

This is where even more fun begins than before, balancing on the brink of customs legislation and common sense.

Corals cannot be exported from Egypt. From some African countries - ebony crafts. Many maritime countries will not let you out with shells picked up on the beach. Keep receipts for souvenirs, as they say, until the end of the trip. Special rules apply to antiques and animal skins. According to Russian customs regulations, you cannot export (even on yourself) diamonds worth more than $75,000.

Many people do not check musical instruments in their luggage. Not because it’s impossible to do this (the company is doing their best to register them as fragile oversized luggage), but out of love for the instrument. For large instruments, like the double bass or cello, it is customary to buy a ticket so that they “sit” in the next chair and nothing happens to them. Small instruments are accepted as carry-on luggage. If you are not a pro, but just want to take your father's guitar to play somewhere in the mountains, you can buy a reinforced concrete (figuratively speaking) case and put the instrument in the luggage compartment, making sure that it is marked as fragile.

Fragile luggage can be anything oversized: for example, a TV or your grandmother’s favorite floor vase that you are taking as a gift to a pen pal. It is advisable to inform the airline in advance that you are traveling and take care of the packaging. Remember: fragile in the understanding of movers does not mean over-delicacy. And in general, anything can happen. So ten layers of foam and a normal box are on your conscience. Well, yes, you will have to pay extra for such cargo. Sometimes, to calm down, you can use the life hack of musicians and arrange a place in the cabin for your cargo. However, this is also done in agreement with the airline, and not simply with the purchase of two tickets.

Another question is whether the vase is a work of art. Or whether a painting bought at a flea market is valuable. If you are bringing something from abroad, keep your receipt. You can transport a framed painting in your hand luggage if it fits in size. And in a transparent film - so that it can be seen that you did not steal Kuindzhi again. To export even your own paintings from Russia, it is recommended to issue a certificate stating that the Ministry of Culture is not against it and the painting was painted in our time. It’s possible without this, but depending on your luck. Well, if suddenly the truth is something incredibly valuable, good luck with the paperwork. Take care of the papers in advance.

If you bought a cabinet, a granite countertop, a giant refrigerator, or a car that doesn't run, you'll have to ship it via freight. And sometimes by sea: this is a very common practice, and although containers with cargo take a long time to travel by sea, at least you can drag the entire contents of a two-story house this way.

For sports: skis, snowboards, bicycles, surfboards and diving equipment can be easily checked in as luggage. Sometimes companies even introduce free transportation of such things for the season, in addition to luggage. Transportation of large sports equipment (like a vaulting pole) is subject to agreement with the airline. Only paintball fans may have problems: a paintball gun, according to the law, is a product structurally similar to a weapon, so a permit must be issued for its export. It is difficult to import such equipment, but it is possible: you will have to work hard to prove that it is not a weapon, but a toy/sports equipment, and perhaps involve lawyers who are familiar with the product nomenclature used by customs officers and various acts. Think twice about whether you need it.

For the romantic ones: bouquets of flowers are allowed to be carried in the salon even at Pobeda, but live, uncut plants must undergo control and receive special documents stating that they do not pose any danger.

To travel with your favorite animal, you need to obtain a veterinary passport. Only cats and small dogs are allowed on board in carriers that can be placed in the cabin, but large animals must travel in the luggage compartment. In the case of exotic creatures (snakes, lizards, many species of birds), permission will be required, that they can be exported or imported, they do not carry any infection and their relocation will not be an irreparable loss for the population.

Bottom line

There are general international rules regulating the transportation of one or another category of things. But remember this worldly wisdom: if, before transporting something non-trivial, you doubt whether it is worth applying for additional permits or whether goodies will be confiscated at the border, it is better to consult the embassy of the destination country, or at least just read the customs documents. It won't be redundant.

- a question that interests passengers of many airlines. People do not always understand what belongs to this category of luggage, what items can be taken into the cabin, and what is better to leave at home or check in with regular cargo.

What is the essence?

First, let's look at what is considered hand luggage on an airplane. This is a special type of baggage that is allowed to be taken into the cabin of an airliner. It has its own rules and regulations for transportation, depending on the rules of the airline. For example, economy class passengers receive one seat, and business class and 1st class passengers receive twice as many.

It is believed that the equivalent of one place is a bag or backpack containing personal items. This is wrong. The main criterion is the weight of hand luggage and its dimensions. It is these parameters that the carrier starts from. Such baggage is subject to a number of restrictions, which may vary.

General prohibitions

Before checking in for a flight, it is important to be clear about what you cannot take on the plane. Generally speaking, the category of prohibited cargo includes weapons, liquefied gases, as well as dangerous substances (radioactive, toxic, caustic). The category of prohibited items also includes explosives, liquefied gases, sharp objects, including household appliances such as wire cutters, a corkscrew, scissors, a folding knife and others.

Below we will consider in detail what you can take in hand luggage on a plane, and what items are prohibited in relation to food, cosmetics, medicines, digital equipment and other cargo.

Food

First, let's look at what you are allowed to carry. from food. As a rule, airlines restrict passengers in this matter by prohibiting the carriage of jelly-like and liquid foods. But you can take with you:

• Nuts.
• Fruits.
• Sandwiches.
• Cookie.
• Chips and other products.

If you are flying with a child, you are allowed to take baby food. If jellies, juices or yoghurts are found before departure, they will most likely be prohibited from being carried. This also applies to food that is packaged in cans. Those products that are allowed to be brought on board are recommended to be packed in transparent bags, which speeds up the inspection procedure.

Before departure, pay attention to the carrier's requirements, as they may vary. Pay special attention to goods from DutyFree stores. They are allowed to be taken on the plane, but only if they are packaged in a bag and have a receipt in hand.

Cosmetical tools

Women often ask what they can take with them. from cosmetics. As a rule, carriers allow you to bring into the cabin:

• Blush.
• Eyeliner.
• Shadows.
• Powder and other means.

As for jelly-like compositions, as well as liquids that are packaged in containers larger than 0.1 liters, it is prohibited to take them with you. The only option is to transfer your items to checked luggage. In addition, it is not permitted to bring pressurized cans into the cabin. In this case, the total volume of liquids carried should not exceed 1000 ml. This nuance should be taken into account before departure.

Medical supplies

An equally important issue is medications. The following medications are allowed as hand luggage:

• Pills.
• Hydrogen peroxide.
• Materials for dressing.
• Various drops.

All products should be sealed and carried with instructions for use. Otherwise, customs officers may have questions for the passenger, up to and including the need to conduct a detailed inspection. If there is an injury, hand luggage can be supplemented with special means for movement, for example, crutches. Regarding the upper limit of liquids, the same rules apply here as mentioned above.

Digital equipment

According to airline rules, you can take digital equipment on board the plane - a laptop, player, tablet, camera, charger and even a hairdryer. But there is a limitation regarding mobile phones. It can be brought into the cabin, but must be turned off. This is due to safety concerns, as radiation from mobile devices can interfere with the operation of aircraft electronics.

If you plan to carry large equipment with you that exceeds the permissible dimensions, it is better to check it as regular luggage.

What to do with documents and jewelry?

According to airline rules, you are allowed to take valuables, jewelry, wallets and important documents with you in hand luggage. You also need to take your passport with you so as not to accidentally end up in a foreign country without documents. There are situations when luggage does not fit on one plane and then it can be sent on the next flight.

Clothing and personal care items

When it comes to personal hygiene items, you can bring a toothbrush and toothpaste, a comb (without a handle), wet wipes and even nail polish remover on board the plane. At the same time, it is prohibited to take cutting or piercing things into the salon. This rule also applies to nail scissors.

From clothes you can take with you a coat, a jacket (sweater), an umbrella, a blanket and a shawl. Generally speaking, it is allowed to take almost all clothing if it does not contradict the airline’s rules and does not exceed the permissible standards (dimensions, weight).

What are the weight and size restrictions?

Separate question - How much hand luggage can you take on a plane?. Here, each airline has its own rules, which depend on the destination, ticket price, flight class and other factors. There are only two main criteria, namely size and weight:

• Dimensions. They should not exceed 56 cm in length, 46 cm in height, and 25 cm in width.
• Weight. Requirements vary here and different airlines may have limits ranging between 3 and 15 kg.

Results

Despite some similarity in the requirements of air carriers regarding hand luggage, some rules are strictly individual. For example, low-cost airlines that provide budget flights are stricter about hand luggage and allow you to take a minimum of things into the cabin. There is a maximum of one seat per person. More established companies will have fewer restrictions. In any case, it is important to clarify these points in advance, even before purchasing a ticket and checking in for the flight.