Things I can carry on a Flight

Most airlines allow you to check in and print your boarding pass online before you travel. If you have free checked baggage on your flight, or have purchased checked baggage, you’ll still need to drop any luggage off at the desk, but usually the ‘baggage drop’ is a much quicker option than the full airport check in (and often a shorter queue!) Ryanair, for example, allows passengers with booked seats to check in up to 30 days ahead of departure, or between four days and two hours before if you have unallocated seats. You’ll just need to print out your boarding pass, or download the mobile version to show at the airline’s desk or self-service machines. Then simply swan past to security with your hand luggage. Breezy.

What’s not allowed in check-in luggage?

Airline baggage rules regarding restricted items generally apply to hand luggage only, although the following items are banned or restricted in checked baggage:

• Wrapped gifts might be opened by security if they are in your hold luggage
• Firearms, flares and explosive material, including replicas
• Aerosols, fuels or flammable liquids, including lighter fluid, although one lighter is allowed on your person in the cabin on most airlines
• Turpentine or paint thinner
• Bleach
• Spray paint

Can I take laptops on a plane?

Restrictions on laptops and other large electronic devices in hand luggage have been introduced on some flights from the Middle East and North Africa, and may be extended to flights from the UK to the US, but for now you can still pack these items in your checked baggage. Read the full description on the laptop ban here.

Are there restrictions on liquids in checked luggage?

You’ll be glad to hear that the hand luggage restrictions on liquids do not apply to checked in baggage, so you’re free to bring back jam/honey/your favourite tipple from abroad! Just make sure alcohol is under the following limits: 110 litres of beer, 90 litres of wine and 10 litres of spirits are allowed if you’re coming from within EU, or 16 litres of beer, four litres of wine (not sparkling) and one litre of spirits if travelling from outside the EU. Get the full story on what liquids you can and can’t take in your hand luggage here.