What can you pack in your suitcase on an airplane

There are rules on what you can and can't carry in your hand baggage and hold luggage on an aircraft. This includes dangerous and restricted items. Other restrictions may be in place, so contact your airline directly if you have any questions.

Airport security

All baggage items, including hand luggage and hold luggage, must be screened by airport security.

It's important to pack with this in mind to avoid unnecessary delays at airport security. 

Airport security staff won’t let anything through if they consider it dangerous - even if it’s normally allowed.

Size and type of hand baggage 

You should always check with the airline before you travel how many and what size bags you can take.

It's best to contact them if you have any questions.

Electronic devices and electrical items

The electronic devices and electrical items you’re allowed to take on a flight depend on the country and airport you’re travelling to the UK from. 

Some airlines might also have different restrictions. Check with your airline before you travel if you’re not sure about what you can take as hand luggage.

Make sure your electronic devices are charged before you travel. If your device does not switch on when asked, you will not be allowed to take it onto the aircraft.

The following restrictions apply to what you can take on a plane.

Cameras

You can usually take camera equipment in your hand and hold luggage. There might be restrictions on specialist equipment, for example professional video cameras.

Batteries 

Check the restrictions on certain types of batteries or contact your airline if you’re not sure what you can carry.

Gas-powered hair curlers

You can take hair curlers containing a gas cartridge in hand or hold luggage as long as the safety cover is fitted at all times. You must not take separate gas cartridges on board.

Medicines, medical equipment and dietary requirements

You’re allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand luggage, including liquid dietary foodstuffs and inhalers.

You'll need supporting documents from a relevant medical professional (for example, a letter from your doctor or a copy of your prescription). 

Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids at the security point.

You can take medical equipment with you if it’s essential for your journey.

The equipment is screened separately and you must show documents from a qualified medical professional, such as a letter from your doctor.

Liquids 

There are restrictions on the amount of liquids you can take in your hand luggage. If possible, pack liquids in your hold baggage (luggage that you check in).

Liquids include:

• all drinks, including water
• liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups
• cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss
• sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
• pastes, including toothpaste
• gels, including hair and shower gel
• contact lens solution
• any other solutions and items of similar consistency

If you do take liquids in your hand luggage:

• containers must hold no more than 100ml
• containers should be in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm
• contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
• the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top
• you’re limited to one plastic bag per person
• you must show the bag at the airport security point

Liquids in containers larger than 100ml generally can’t go through security even if the container is only part full. There are some exemptions.

Exemptions

You can take liquid containers larger than 100ml through security if they are for essential medical purposes, for special dietary requirements, or contain baby food or baby milk.

You can also take liquids bought at an airport or on a plane (for example duty free) through security if:

• the items are sealed inside a security bag when you buy them
• the receipt for the items is sealed in the security bag and visible

You must not open the security bag until you reach your final destination. Airport staff may need to open the items to screen the liquid at the security point.

Liquid restrictions outside the EU

Countries outside the EU might have different rules on carrying liquids as a transit or transfer passenger. You should check these rules with the airline(s) and airports before travelling.

Baby food and baby milk

When travelling with a baby, you’re allowed to take enough baby food, baby milk and sterilised water for the journey. There is no legal limit to how much you can take, however check with the airport before you travel.

You can carry breast milk in hand luggage even if you’re not travelling with a baby. You can’t carry frozen breast milk in hand luggage.

Individual containers of breast milk must hold no more than 2,000ml. Each container will need to be screened at the security point. 

Airport staff might need to open the containers to screen the liquids .

Food and powders

Food items and powders in your hand luggage can block images on x-ray machines. Your bags may need to be checked again by security (by hand).

You can put these items in your hold luggage to reduce delays.

Lighters

You can only carry one lighter on board. You should put it inside a resealable plastic bag (like the ones used for liquids), which you must keep on you throughout the flight. You can’t:

• put it in your hold luggage
• put it in your hand luggage after screening

Mobility aids

Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are usually allowed in the cabin, but they will need to be security screened first.

For battery-powered wheelchairs or mobility aids, check with your airline first.

Musical instruments

Contact your airline before you book if you want to travel with a large musical instrument. You may need to make special arrangements, such as buying an extra seat.

Musical instruments will be screened separately.

Personal items

Sports equipment

Work tools

Chemicals and toxic substances

You can't take any of these items as hand luggage or in the hold:

• oxidisers and organic peroxides, including bleach and car body repair kits
• acids and alkalis (for example spillable ‘wet’ batteries)
• corrosives or bleaching agents (including mercury and chlorine)
• vehicle batteries and fuel systems
• self defence or disabling sprays (for example mace, pepper spray)
• radioactive materials (including medicinal or commercial isotopes)
• poisons or toxic substances (for example rat poison)
• biological hazards (for example infected blood, bacteria, viruses)
• materials that could spontaneously combust (burst into flames)
• fire extinguishers

Ammunition

You can't take any guns or firearms (including air rifles and starting pistols) as hand luggage. You may be able to take them as hold luggage - check with your airline before you travel.

You cannot take any of these items as hand luggage or in the hold:

• blasting caps
• detonators and fuses
• imitation explosive devices (including replica or model guns)
• mines, grenades, and other explosive military stores
• fireworks and pyrotechnics
• smoke canisters
• smoke cartridges
• dynamite
• gunpowder
• plastic explosives (including black powder and percussion caps)
• flares
• hand grenades
• gun cigarette lighters

More useful links

• Air travel and disability
• Access to Air and Sea Travel