Questions tagged [hand-luggage]

Questions about baggage brought into an airplane cabin with the passenger, also known as "carry-on luggage" or "cabin luggage."

Hand luggage, also called carry-on luggage or cabin baggage, refers to the bags, cases, and so forth which passengers bring with them into a passenger cabin. Hand luggage contrasts with checked luggage, which is entrusted to the airline or other carrier, travels in the cargo hold, and is reclaimed after arrival.

Restrictions and fees vary considerably, not only by carrier but by aircraft or other vehicle type. Some carriers also distinguish between a carry-on bag and a personal item such as a purse, coat, or tablet. As with checked luggage, passengers should always review the rules of the airline, train, bus/coach, and so forth they will be traveling on prior to departure.

This tag may be suitable for questions about size or weight limits, permitted contents (including restrictions on liquids and gels), fees, and other considerations specific to travel with hand luggage. Questions for specific product recommendations are generally off-topic, as are questions about circumventing regulations.

For questions about checked baggage, packing, damage, or baggage in general, see .

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Prohibited item forgotten in hand luggage: what to do with it?

I guess it happens quite frequently: you have already checked in, and at the security check you realize that you have in your backpack your grandmother's Klingon bat'leth blade, an item that has been in your family for generations and that you…
Federico Poloni
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Considerations for very fragile and expensive (> $100,000) items in carry-on luggage

Background: I am a part of a university student team building a CubeSat due to be launched this September. Around mid-June, we will need to transport the CubeSat from its current location in Ohio to Houston, Texas to turn it over to the company that…
Ryan
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Can I fly with a gold bar?

Can I fly with a Good Delivery gold bar? I'll have the certificate that I have been given with it. I have looked on Google and found nothing that suggests it's a prohibited item on an aircraft. It's below the weight I am allowed to carry in person.…
Ulkoma
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When boarding a full plane, how can I guarantee that I can keep my handheld baggage with me?

Sometimes the overhead bins get full and the flight attendants will start collecting bags to put in with the rest of the luggage, but I keep insulin (diabetic) in my handheld bag, as I may need it during the flight (not to mention it might go bad if…
user2813274
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Are battery packs allowed in hand luggage?

When flying, are you allowed to bring battery packs / power banks? I'd like to bring my ACC 10400mAh Power Bank on several flights.
MmM
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What are the exact reasons why one cannot take a bottle of water on the plane?

So what exactly are the reasons: policy by the airlines? slowing down security? What if it's 100mL of water filled in one of those tiny travel bottles that people use to downsize their toiletries? I was just discussing this topic with a friend &…
verve
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Can I have a watermelon in hand luggage?

I'm flying from UK to Germany with Easyjet (there's next to no weight restriction to hand luggage). I've never had a problem with various edible items before, on any of my EU routes. I don't see how a watermelon would be different from a plastic bag…
Иво Недев
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How much electronics and other valuables can I bring duty-free when going to India?

I am planning to travel to India (COK airport, Kerala) from United States. I want to take my laptop as well as my tablet (iPad). Am I allowed to take both in my backpack with my documents related my work. I think I am allowed to take only one…
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On a plane, who has the right to the overhead bin?

Once, I boarded a plane, went to my designated seat and tried to put my bag in the overhead bin. However, it was full, and other adjacent overhead bins were full too. Because I had a seat next to the emergency exit, which I paid for, I had to hand…
MOON
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How seriously should I take size and weight limits of hand luggage?

I'll soon do my first intercontinental flight. Due to price, I decided to travel with hand luggage only. There are specified weight and size limits, of course – in my case it's 7kg and 53x38x20cm on a WestJet flight from London (LGW) to Calgary…
MaxD
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Are there any laws that prevent reserving two adjacent seats for one person for a flight with Ryanair?

Ryanair is very cheap and I can afford to pay for another seat in exchange for a little bit more comfort. I do that sometimes on the train and there are no laws against it as far as I know. On the train I can claim that my wife just went to the…
Ulkoma
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Avoiding important carry-on luggage being taken away

Since I'm traveling with essential medicines and medical equipment it is key for me that my carry-on luggage is allowed to be carried into the aircraft cabin, so that it's available to me at all times, and not lost due to accidents or theft. Last…
Gruber
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DIY computer in hand luggage - what to expect on security checks?

I have a DIY computer which looks like a 7" tablet, only thicker. The case is plastic, and the whole device is about as thick as a laptop. There are no scary wires popping out and no ticking noises, and there's no problem to turn it on upon request.…
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What is the actual (not official) size of the Ryanair "baggage sizer"?

I know that this question could sound a little bit dumb since Ryanair always sends lot of emails specifying the dimensions of the allowed hand luggage but I am not interested in the "formal" answer but in the "informal" one. In every airport where…
shard
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What is the legal status of travelling with (unprescribed) methadone in your carry-on?

My girlfriend and her sister will be going to Canada for two weeks at the start of July. They both use drugs recreationally and aren't open with their family and are quite isolated. My girlfriends sister has obtained methadone from a friend and…
Eric Hernandez
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