Hand Luggage on the Plane: What Can You Take?

An important rule upfront: Exceeding the allowed weight limit for hand luggage can quickly become expensive.

Hand luggage: suitcase, bag, or backpack?

For short trips, we recommend a Hard-shell suitcase. Most offer plenty of space and storage. Thanks to moisture compartments and small pockets, clutter rarely occurs. Most airlines allow an additional hand luggage item in the form of a small bag or backpack free of charge. Depending on the type of trip, a travel bag or a Suitcase 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 crease quickly. Hard-shell suitcases offer the solution here. Thanks to packing panels inside, sensitive clothing or items can be transported safely.

What can you take in your 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) can 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
• - Stun guns, 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 products in hand luggage?

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

In general, you are allowed to carry hygiene products in liquid form in your hand luggage.

Airlines allow liquids in containers of up to 100 ml. You may bring a maximum of ten such containers in your hand luggage, as the total volume must not exceed one liter.

Additionally, the containers must be placed in a transparent, resealable bag (e.g., a zip-lock bag). Very important: Each passenger may bring 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 are also considered liquids 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 products like solid shampoo bars or toothpaste in solid form . Especially women tend to carry a few more liquids, and one liter fills up faster than you think.

Aerosols such as 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 products. This excludes the "1-liter rule," and you may bring these additionally in your luggage.

If you are travelling 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 complications during security checks.

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

Electronics in your suitcase?

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

What size is allowed?

The problem often lies in the depth, literally. A suitcase with a depth of 23 centimeters is only allowed on board 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 check before your trip and, if necessary, book a plus package.

Conclusion: We hope you are now well informed about hand luggage on planes. For further questions about this topic or our range, our customer service is available Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and will be happy to assist you.