Thirty minutes until boarding. The line is growing, the metal detector does not forgive mistakes, and the inspector is already pulling out another prohibited bottle from the bag. The violation is simple — ignorance. To avoid unnecessary questions, time, and payment for excess baggage, it is worth studying in advance what can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane, and in what form. The standards are predictable, but the details can easily throw you off course.
Universal hand luggage dimensions: volume, weight, and dimensions
Most airlines adhere to standard parameters: dimensions do not exceed 55×40×20 cm. Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, and Qatar Airways maintain this standard, while Ryanair limits the bag size to 40×20×25 cm, allowing only a backpack to be carried. Air France allows slightly more flexible parameters but also requires adherence to the shape.
The weight limit varies. Carriers generally allow 7–10 kg, but for low-cost airlines such as Wizz Air or Pobeda, the limit drops to 5 kg.
Each excess weight turns into an additional fee — from 25 to 70 euros for each extra kilogram. It is easy to save money by simply checking the requirements for carry-on baggage in advance.
What can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane: facts without illusions
A clear list of permissible items eliminates misunderstandings at the screening stage. Knowing the boundaries helps pack everything necessary and not violate airline requirements.
Permissible items vary by function but consistently include:
- Electronics: laptops, smartphones, headphones, chargers.
- Medications: insulin, inhalers, tablets, and ointments without a prescription — if needed during the flight.
- Personal items: documents, wallet, keys, sunglasses, hygiene products.
- Food: sealed products, snacks, sandwiches — without liquid or flowing components.
- Baby items: bottles, jarred purees, diapers.
- Fragile items and valuables: electronics, jewelry, cameras.
Each item must fit comfortably in a backpack, bag, or case that meets the size requirements.
Items not allowed in carry-on luggage — traps for the inattentive
Ignoring restrictions results in loss of items and extra expenses. A precise list of prohibitions eliminates errors and speeds up the screening process. Safety standards exclude carrying sharp objects, flammable substances, and pressurized containers.
The following are prohibited:
- Knives, scissors with blades over 6 cm, files, syringes without medical reasons.
- Gas canisters, aerosols, fireworks.
- Sports equipment (baseball bats, clubs, dumbbells).
- Liquids exceeding 100 ml — even if there is only 5 ml left in the bottle.
During airport screening, such items are identified instantly. Violating restrictions slows down check-in, delays boarding, and leads to disposal of the item.
Liquids in carry-on luggage: accuracy to the milliliter
According to international standards ICAO and IATA, liquids are only allowed in containers up to 100 ml. The maximum total volume should not exceed 1 liter, and all tubes and bottles must fit into a single transparent, sealed bag with a volume of 1 liter.
Exceptions apply only to baby food, medications, and liquids needed during the flight. Security scans the contents at the departure gate. Packaging that violates the rules will be disposed of.
Packaging formats: suitcase, backpack, bag
A wheeled suitcase is the most popular choice, especially for connections. A soft backpack adapts more easily to dimensions, especially during boarding gate checks. A bag is suitable for short flights or non-stop flights.
To minimize risks during screening, choose bags with minimal external pockets and no metal hardware. Airport checks reveal hidden compartments, and metal triggers additional screening.
Overlooked restrictions
Not all passengers realize that air travel with carry-on luggage is regulated not only by weight and dimensions but also by fare. Some “economy” class tickets do not include free carry-on baggage — excess baggage automatically incurs a fee at the check-in counter.
This is especially relevant for budget airlines. Early online booking can save money by adding carry-on baggage at a discounted price — up to 50% cheaper than on the day of departure.
What can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane: electronics and device charging
All electronic devices undergo mandatory screening. Tablets, laptops, cameras, batteries — each item must be removed from the bag. Large power banks raise additional questions. The allowed capacity limit is up to 100 Wh without prior notification, up to 160 Wh — with prior approval from the airline.
To avoid being denied carriage of a device, check the parameters in advance. Cables, adapters, and chargers are allowed items, but only when placed inside carry-on baggage. In-flight charging is not available on all flights, especially on charter routes. For long flights, it is recommended to use charged devices and approved power banks within carry-on baggage requirements.
Specifics of items: sports, children, medications
The permitted list of items is not universal — it depends on the purpose. For sports, only compact and non-dangerous equipment can be taken: fins, goggles, caps, trackers, but not sticks and trainers.
Children’s items include not only food but also care items: wipes, bottles, diapers, spare clothing. All packaging should be in factory condition and comply with baggage dimensions.
Medications are carried when necessary: tablets, drops, ointments. Syringes are only allowed with a medical certificate. Insulin is allowed with packaging and instructions. All medications must be placed in one bag — without scattering in pockets and layers of carry-on baggage.
Fare and check-in: pitfalls of conditions
The airline clearly defines the permissible baggage format by service class. The minimum fare often excludes carry-on baggage on the plane altogether — only a personal item (such as a bag or folder) is allowed. Failure to comply with the conditions results in the passenger paying for excess baggage at the check-in counter, increasing the cost of the flight by 1.5–2 times.
To optimize the budget before the flight, it is important to choose the appropriate fare. With early booking, it is more advantageous to immediately include the carry-on baggage option and avoid additional charges. Even within the same airline, rules may differ between domestic and international flights — ignoring the nuances will lead to wasted time, money, and extra checks at boarding.
What can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane: conclusions
Modern air travel is not just a journey but a chain of controls, where each element is a guarantee of safety. Violating requirements causes not only delays but also losses. Knowing what can be taken in carry-on luggage on the plane helps avoid misunderstandings and increases personal efficiency in travel. One right choice — and the airport ceases to be a maze.
