Hand luggage on the plane - What is allowed?

An important rule upfront: Exceeding the allowable weight limit for hand luggage quickly becomes expensive.

Hand luggage: suitcase, bag, or backpack?

We recommend a hard-shell suitcase for short trips. Most offer plenty of space and storage. Thanks to moisture compartments and small pockets, disorder rarely occurs. Most airlines allow an additional piece of hand luggage in the form of a small bag or backpack free of charge. Depending on the type of trip, a travel bag or a soft luggage offers more comfort and supports the traveler's needs. These can be stored more flexibly in the cabin, but with this option, blouses and shirts are more likely to wrinkle quickly. Hard-shell suitcases provide the solution here. Thanks to packing panels inside, sensitive clothing items or objects can be transported safely.

What is allowed in the suitcase and what is not?

Everyday items such as nail scissors, pocket knives, disposable razors with a maximum blade length of six centimeters are allowed (please also be careful with combs with handles). Blades integrated into plastic (razors) may be taken on the plane without concern. For flights within the EU, the import of alcohol, coffee, and tobacco products up to 430 euros is duty-free. If you exceed the allowance, you must declare the goods at customs. Customs will then calculate duties and import VAT.

Absolutely avoid the following items in hand luggage:

• - Razor blades without plastic
• - Electroshock devices, pepper spray
• - Items that can also be used as weapons, such as ice skates
• - Sharp objects longer than six cm
• - Gas, gas containers, petrol lighters, and spray paint cans
• - Bleach (general chemical substances)
• - Tools and weapons

Hygiene articles in hand luggage?

On short trips, no one wants to do without hygiene articles like toothpaste or shampoo. But this topic causes the most confusion.

In general, you may carry hygiene articles in liquid form in hand luggage.

Airlines allow liquids in containers of a maximum of 100 ml. You may bring up to ten of these in your carry-on luggage, as the total amount must not exceed one liter.

Additionally, the containers must be placed in a transparent, sealable bag (e.g., a ZIP bag). Very important: each passenger may take one bag of liquids onto the plane. Containers that are only half full but hold more than 100 ml will not pass through check-in.

The following less obvious products also count as liquid at check-in:

• - Mascara
• - Lipstick
• - Hair gel
• - Nail polish
• - Shaving foam
• - Perfume
• - Cream
• - Eye drops
• - Toothpaste
• - Make-up
• - Contact lens solution
• - Mosquito spray
• - Mouthwash
• - Tiger balm
• - Shampoo / shower gel
• - Deodorant
  

It is advisable to buy hygiene articles like solid hair soaps or toothpaste in solid form . Especially women tend to carry a few more liquids, and one liter fills up faster than expected.

Aerosols like deodorant and hairspray under 100 ml also pose no problems in hand luggage as long as they are in the transparent, sealed bag.

After check-in, in the duty-free area, there is still a chance to buy liquids and hygiene articles. This excludes the "1-liter rule," and you may take them additionally in your luggage.

When traveling with a toddler or baby, you may bring as much baby food, baby milk, powdered milk, and sterilized water as you need for the flight, even if it exceeds the usual limit.

Medications on board?

No problem at all!

Non-prescription medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or paracetamol should preferably be kept in the original packaging . All medications prescribed by your doctor require a brief certificate from them to avoid possible complications during checks.

In particular, syringes require a medical certificate, for example insulin, to take them on board. Otherwise, they are considered weapons.

Electronics in the suitcase?

Especially for long flights, most passengers want some electronic distraction. A bit of music, the exciting book on the e-book reader, or a series on the laptop – but is that allowed during the flight? Read our blog post on this: Tablet, Notebook, Laptop: what is allowed?

What size is allowed?

The problem often lies in the depth, literally. A suitcase with 23 centimeters depth is only allowed on board with Lufthansa. Usually, a depth of 20 centimeters serves its purpose and is allowed in the cabin on almost all airlines. Especially low-cost carriers like Ryanair are increasingly reducing the dimensions for hand luggage. So it is best to inform yourself before the trip and, if necessary, book a plus package.

Conclusion: We hope you are now well informed about hand luggage on the plane. For further questions about the topic or our range, our customer service is available Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and will be happy to advise you.