At the end of last year, amendments were made to the general rules for the carriage of baggage by air.

According to the law, all Russian airlines must comply with the same standards.

What baggage rules are relevant in 2019?

New baggage rules allow a bag/suitcase up to 30 kg for one passenger seat on an airplane. Each passenger, according to the rules, is issued individual luggage.

Russian and international airlines generally divide baggage into the following weight categories:

For a child under 2 years old, you can check in separate luggage up to 10 kg.

The allowed baggage weight depends on the ticket category:

• In economy class – 20 kg per passenger.
• In business class – up to 30 kg.
• In first class - up to 30 kg.

If the weight of baggage exceeds the permissible limits, it is called excess baggage; luggage over 30 kg is heavy.

Most carriers allow a slight excess of luggage of 1-2 kg. If the excess weight is more than 2 kg, you will have to pay extra.

In case of excess baggage, the passenger pays extra for each extra kilogram. There are no uniform tariffs: each airline sets its own price.

Depending on the airline's policy and the specific flight, the excess charge can be calculated as follows:

• Based on the cost of the maximum economy class fare. With this approach, 1 kg of excess weight costs 1.5% of the ticket price.
• Based on the fixed amount established by the air carrier. This amount may differ on different flights and ranges from 5-15 € per kg.

In addition to weight, luggage may exceed the standard dimensions, including the sum of 3 dimensions (length + height + width). Such baggage includes:

• Sports Equipment;
• some musical instruments (double bass, guitar);
• large household appliances.

The maximum dimensions of checked baggage for all classes must be 158 cm.

To transport large cargo, a preliminary agreement with the airline is required. On the day of departure, it is recommended to arrive at the airport in advance, since such cargo takes longer to register.

The company may refuse to transport oversized cargo if there is not enough space in the luggage compartment.

How much does luggage cost on a plane if the ticket does not include luggage?

Many airlines provide a baggage-free travel service, according to which passengers fly only with hand luggage.

The advantages of this service include the reduced cost of the flight. The downside is the fact that the tickets are non-refundable.

You are allowed to carry any items in your luggage, except those that are classified as dangerous in international practice. A list of them is provided on the air ticket.

It is also important to understand that there is no single global standard for baggage transportation for all airlines. You need to focus on the country to which the passenger is flying.

For example, when flying to Dubai, it is prohibited to take on board items and books of a religious nature other than Islam.

According to the rules, most airlines prohibit transporting in the luggage compartment of an aircraft:

Most airlines do not allow you to take a mercury thermometer into the cabin. It must be checked in as luggage, packed in a plastic case, and placed so that it is not damaged under any circumstances.

Most airlines prohibit the carriage of all types of knives, from pocket knives to kitchen and hunting knives. But there are also airports that allow the carriage of penknives and folding knives without fixation up to 6 cm in length.

To transport knives longer than 10 cm (household, hunting, etc.) in luggage, you must first obtain special permission. If a knife is carried in luggage as a bladed weapon, then it must also be in a case.

It is also permitted to transport in checked baggage, subject to the required conditions, such sharp objects as:

• scissors;
• razors;
• swords and checkers;
• bayonets and swords;
• scimitars;
• crossbows;
• simulators of any type of weapon.

According to the transportation rules, it is not advisable to put in luggage:

Important! Take these items with you in your hand luggage or leave them at home.

Airplane baggage restrictions

Liquids include:

You are allowed to carry any of these liquids in your luggage. There are no restrictions on volume, however, general permissible weight standards must be observed (see above).

You can carry medicines in your luggage that are not prohibited by customs regulations and are freely available, i.e. sold without a prescription.

Customs regulations prohibit the carriage of narcotic and psychotropic substances on planes. A prescription from a doctor indicating the dose is required for the following products:

Official bans in many countries include potent substances that may be contained in some medications, for example, such as:

• codeine;
• phenobarbital, ;
• pseudoephedrine;
• chlorphenamine maleate;
• diazepam.

The permitted amount of medications on an airplane is very conditional: for your own use during the trip. If more than 5 packs of medicines are found in luggage, then customs services will most likely have questions for the passenger.

To avoid fines and confiscations, obtain documents proving the need to transport medications in these quantities.

All medications transported on an airplane must be in their original packaging and comply with the expiration date stated on the packaging.

Note! To ensure smooth transportation of insulin, you should apply for a diabetic passport before your trip.

You can place food in airplane luggage provided that:

• This product is not included in the customs prohibited list (for international flights).
• This product is not on the airline's list of restrictions.
• The liquid product is unopened and hermetically sealed.

If a flight is made between countries, then the transported items and products are subject to customs requirements for individuals. They are set by the host countries, and these requirements must be taken into account.

As for domestic flights, customs rules do not apply to such baggage.

Before traveling, it is necessary to find out the requirements of the customs of the country of destination, as well as the country where the transfer is made.

Customs bans often concern epidemiologically hazardous products without original packaging. For example, it is prohibited to import meat and dairy products into EU countries; This measure was introduced to prevent the spread of infections.

US Customs does not allow a number of products from other countries to pass through, including:

• meat;
• eggs;
• fish;
• dairy products;
• many types of vegetables and fruits.

To transport exotic fruits from southern countries in your luggage, you will need a special container so that they are not damaged during the flight.

On domestic Russian flights, you can carry an unlimited amount of alcoholic beverages with a strength of up to 24° in your baggage (but no more than the general weight standards for baggage allow).

Strong drinks (24–70°) - up to 5 liters, with:

• up to 3 liters of alcoholic beverages – duty free;
• over 3 and up to 5 liters - with additional payment at customs.

The uniform vehicle rate for exceeding the norm by 3 liters is 10 € for each liter in excess of the norm.

These rules for individuals apply to any imported alcohol in luggage, including:

• beer;
• vodka;
• champagne;
• wine, etc.

Alcohol can only be transported on an airplane in its original packaging.. Homemade wines and moonshine will be confiscated at customs.

In some countries, restrictions on the export of alcoholic beverages are even stricter. For example, from Hungary you can export no more than 1 liter of strong alcohol (from 22%), and up to 2 liters of less strong alcoholic beverages.

An exception is made only for grape wine and beer: here the restrictions are less strict - you can take out up to 4 liters of wine and 16 liters of beer.

Alcohol with an alcohol content of 24–70% is only allowed in checked baggage, and this must be taken into account when traveling on Russian air carriers.

There is no limit on the number of cigarettes you can carry in checked baggage. The basic rule is not to exceed the limits of the customs service of the destination country.

One passenger is prohibited from bringing into the territory of the Russian Federation more than:

• 200 cigarettes (one block);
• 50 cigars;
• 250 grams of tobacco.

Important! Minors are strictly prohibited from carrying cigarettes.

These restrictions apply in all EU countries. In the USA, the limits are as follows: a passenger 21 years of age or older can carry up to 2 kg of tobacco (leaf).

As for electronic cigarettes, there are no restrictions on their transportation. Such a cigarette is equivalent to electronic devices such as a laptop or telephone.

Lighters are strictly prohibited on most airlines. The following cannot be carried in luggage:

• zippo brand lighters;
• souvenir lighters, even if they do not contain a single gram of gasoline;
• other types of “personalized” lighters.

You can take a regular lighter filled with liquefied gas on board an airplane.

So, when planning a flight on domestic and international flights, be sure to study what and in what quantities you can carry in your luggage. The information presented above in the article will help in this matter.

Video: New rules for baggage and hand luggage on airplanes have come into force

Any traveler takes luggage with him. A passenger going on a business trip takes with him some change of clothes and documents. Those flying on a long-awaited vacation will need a large suitcase with personal belongings. And if a family goes on vacation, then there will be several suitcases and travel bags. In addition to large luggage, almost every airplane passenger takes with him a small carry-on luggage in the form of a handbag or men's purse.

Travelers traveling by bus or train have a much easier time stowing luggage than those traveling by airline.

An airliner is considered a high-risk vehicle. Therefore, many items are strictly prohibited for transportation on board an aircraft. This is necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and airline employees.

The following are prohibited:

• any weapons and ammunition;
• fireworks and other explosive items;
• any type of gases;
• flammable and flammable substances;
• poisonous, radioactive and toxic materials.

The above and some other items, in the event of unfavorable situations, can harm the health of passengers and airline employees, as well as negatively affect the flight. Transportation of such substances and objects can be carried out by air, but only on specially equipped air boards.

The rules of some air carriers prohibit the carriage of certain items as hand luggage that could cause harm to people if flight conditions are disrupted.

These things include sharp and piercing objects:

• any knives;
• crochet hooks and knitting needles;
• sewing needles;
• medical syringes;
• corkscrews;
• scissors;
• metal nail files.

Some liquids are prohibited from being carried in the passenger cabin of an airliner:

• shampoo;
• shower gel;
• liquid soap;
• cream;
• various sprays;
• eau de toilette and perfume.

Some airlines allow liquids into the cabin, but in small quantities and in sealed bottles and tubes. But if you purchased liquids from stores located at the airport, they may be allowed as carry-on luggage.

Baggage can be taken on board an airliner if the special requirements necessary to ensure safe air travel are met. There are two types of standards. In the first case, there are requirements that are followed all over the world, regardless of country or airline. In the second case, some safety standards may only be met in some countries.

The transportation of weapons and ammunition, explosives, narcotic and other dangerous substances is prohibited in any country. Specific prohibitions include taking religious literature with you on board the plane, which is prohibited in the country of arrival.

In addition to basic and specific prohibitions, there are restrictions that apply to certain airlines or airliners. For example, depending on the limited payload weight of each aircraft, weight-restricted baggage may be carried on board. There is a certain weight of baggage per passenger, and this cannot be exceeded. But any passenger airliner has its own payload weight.

Baggage is the items that a passenger takes with him on board an airliner. Baggage is divided into two types: hand luggage and checked luggage, which is checked into a special storage compartment.

When passengers are checked in and air tickets are checked, airport terminal staff check in passenger baggage. Before items are sent for storage in the luggage compartment, they are weighed. Certain airlines have strict baggage weight limits, although many carriers allow you to pay extra for excess weight.

The passenger takes his hand luggage into the cabin with him. There is a special shelf above each passenger seat for storing hand luggage. You can keep personal items in your arms or next to the seat, but without disturbing other passengers. There may be a special pocket in the backs of the chairs for storing things. For example, a stand for tablets.

How many items a passenger can take on board an aircraft will depend on certain factors. This is usually determined by the class of service. On the same aircraft, Economy Class and Business Class passengers may take different amounts of personal items.

Any baggage can be paid or free. But the concept of “free baggage allowance” is rather arbitrary. If you look at it, any baggage is paid for, and its cost is initially included in the price of the air ticket. If a passenger exceeds the free baggage allowance, they must pay the difference at check-in before boarding the plane. It is impossible to know in advance about the weight of passenger luggage.

Tourists are interested in how much stuff they can carry on board an airplane without additional payment? It is difficult to name the exact norm, since each airline has its own rules for the transportation of passenger baggage. The size and type of airliner flying also matters.

The baggage allowances carried on board the aircraft free of charge may be by weight or size. In addition to the certain weight of passenger items, their dimensions matter. After all, the size of the cargo compartments on each plane varies, as do the sizes of the luggage racks. Therefore, if you are going to transport light, but long or tall luggage by plane, familiarize yourself with the rules for transporting items of the selected airline in advance.

It is impossible to give an exact figure for the weight of free luggage. But usually air carriers allow passengers to take from 7 to 15 kg of hand luggage into the aircraft cabin, and from 20 to 30 kg as baggage.

For example, the famous air carrier Aeroflot has established the following rules for the transportation of free baggage:

• Economy, comfort or premium class passengers are allowed to take luggage of no more than 23 kg.
• For those seated in the business class cabin, baggage up to 32 kg is allowed.
• Checked baggage must not exceed 158 cm in height, width and length.
• Regardless of the cabin class of the airliner, a passenger can take hand luggage that does not exceed 15 kg in weight and does not exceed 115 cm in size in all respects.
• If hand luggage will be placed on a shelf above the chair or under the passenger seat, then it must be no more than 55 cm in length, no more than 40 cm in width, and no more than 20 cm in height.

But the traveler will be able to take certain items on board the plane for free, even if they exceed the permissible weight limit. Such items include crutches, devices for the disabled, baby carriers and other vital items.

For every tourist, carrying luggage on an airplane is always a difficult task. The passenger must collect in advance the personal belongings that he will take on the trip. Before you start packing your things, you need to familiarize yourself in advance with the baggage transportation rules of the air carrier that will be operating the flight. Find out in advance about the type of aircraft, as well as the permitted weight and dimensions of free baggage. If the freight exceeds the free freight allowance, but you need it, inquire about the additional cost.

Do not forget that depending on the cabin class on the plane, the weight allowance for free baggage will vary. Ask about permitted prohibited items as carry-on luggage, their quantity and packaging. You will find out all these answers by calling the help desk of the selected airline. You can read detailed information about the rules for carrying baggage on board an aircraft on the air carrier’s official website.

After receiving the information, you can begin collecting personal belongings needed for the trip. Think carefully about the necessity of all things, especially this rule applies to clothing. At hot resorts, you are unlikely to need warm sweaters that weigh more than a few T-shirts and dresses. Items prohibited from being carried as hand luggage must be well packed in a suitcase or travel bag.

If your baggage is packed correctly and in accordance with the airline's rules, you can avoid problems and difficulties when checking in for your upcoming flight.

Baggage and hand luggage on the plane

Air travel is the fastest, most convenient and reliable way of travel and transportation, allowing a passenger and his luggage to move from one place to another in just a few hours, despite the great distance of these places from each other. However, the specific nature of air travel allows the transportation of people only to those airlines and airports that fully comply with generally accepted international standards of safety measures.

In order for a passenger to be issued a boarding pass, he must strictly comply with the strictest flight rules, which also include the carriage of baggage on board the aircraft. This is done for the general safety of all passengers and the aircraft.

The presented rules are mandatory for all passengers, regardless of the purpose, nature of the trip or the prestige of the cabin class in which you are flying.

In other words, this is a complex of organizational issues aimed at ensuring comfort and speed of flight. And baggage transportation is one of the most important organizational issues, which must be treated especially responsibly in order to eliminate the occurrence of possible problems.

Airplane baggage allowance for 2019

As for the transportation of baggage, it is worth immediately noting the following: the rules providing for this process do not have a single global standard, so there are variations of them, which are influenced by a number of factors.

First- the country you are flying to, since each state has its own rules and standards. For example, when going to Dubai, under no circumstances should you carry with you (not only in your luggage, but also in your hand luggage and in your pockets) objects and literature of a religious nature that are not related to Islam.

Second— Baggage allowance is affected by the choice of airline. In addition, the class of ticket purchased (e.g., economy or business class) and the type of aircraft affect your baggage allowance.

In order to avoid unnecessary complications and problems when checking in luggage, it is necessary to clarify all of the above points during the process of purchasing tickets. If you have non-standard luggage, you should find out the rules for its transportation in advance.

The first thing you need to do is find out which items and things that you want to take with you can be transported by plane, and which are prohibited.

However, despite differences in some baggage rules, all airlines have general rules for baggage transportation, used all over the world.

General baggage allowances on board the aircraft

1 - first you need to make sure that the suitcases or bags that you will check into separate places are in good condition and integrity (the absence of various kinds of cuts and cracks) in order to prevent damage to the items in them and adjacent luggage during their transportation.

To be safe, you can wrap your luggage yourself in cellophane film. The same procedure can be performed directly at the airport for a small fee. We recommend doing this! By doing this, you will definitely not stain or tear your suitcase or bag.

2 - each airline has its own rules that set the weight and size of checked baggage and unchecked (carry-on) baggage. If you exceed any of the parameters, you will have to pay extra.

3 - you should remember the list of things that are strictly prohibited from being carried on board the aircraft. Neither in checked luggage nor in hand luggage!

What not to pack in your luggage and hand luggage

• Caustic and corrosive. These include: all types of alkalis, acids; mercury and devices containing it; rechargeable batteries with liquid cells;


• All types and types of gases: flammable and non-flammable, compressed, liquefied, poisonous;


• Objects, solids and liquids that have the ability to ignite, which include: matches, lighters and liquids for refilling them; solvents, paints and other paints and varnishes; substances capable of spontaneous combustion or which emit any gases upon contact with water, as well as other substances and objects prone to combustion;


• Substances that tend to oxidize, such as peroxides and bleach powder;


• Any types of explosives, items and products made from them, as well as weapons: pistols, shotguns, machine guns and other types of small arms, firearms and ammunition, including empty cartridges and detonators; fireworks, flares and similar products;


• Radioactive substances and objects emitting radiation;


• Toxic, poisonous and infectious substances, which include: herbicides, pesticides, insecticides; laboratory materials and samples containing live viruses; subjects of etiology;


• Suitcases and briefcases equipped with alarm devices.

• precious metals;
• jewelry;
• securities;
• money;
• keys;
• glasses;
• fragile things;
• perishable products.

Leave them at home or take them with you in your hand luggage!

Total baggage weight and hand luggage

Things and objects permitted for transportation directly in the passenger cabin of the aircraft are called hand luggage, which is often transported in small bags.

Naturally, the purpose of these restrictive measures is to ensure an adequate level of safety for the aircraft and its passengers throughout the entire flight.

For this reason, most airlines prohibit the carriage of such items in hand luggage as:

• Knives and long scissors (and sometimes even nail scissors);
• Corkscrews;
• Knitting needles;
• Needles for injections, including hypodermic ones, excluding prescribed cases;
• Razors, blades and other piercing and cutting instruments and objects.

In addition, there are some restrictions on carrying liquids in hand luggage, such as:

• Shampoo;
• Gel;
• Perfume;
• Spray;
• Mascara;
• Cream;
• Water and soft drinks.

According to the rules, it is allowed to transport the listed liquids and substances in hand luggage only in small quantities (up to 100 ml) and exclusively in sealed packages (more accurate data is provided by the specific airline that provides you with services). Exceptions include baby food and liquid medications that will be consumed during the flight. Exemptions also include liquids and goods purchased in duty-free shops ( "Duty Free").

As for the weight of luggage and hand luggage, certain limits also apply here. For hand luggage, the weight range ranges from 7 to 15 kg for 1 piece. For luggage, the permissible weight is on average 20–30 kg.

There is also a list of items and things that a passenger has the right to carry with him free of charge in the aircraft cabin, even if they exceed the permissible weight limits (20 kg) for unpaid baggage allowance:

• Briefcase or handbag;
• Umbrella;
• Paper folder;
• Cane;
• Bouquet of flowers;
• Crutches and wheelchair for transporting a passenger with limited mobility;
• Mobile phone;
• Outerwear and suit in a suitcase;
• Printed publications for in-flight reading;
• Video camera and photo camera;
• Laptop;
• Baby cradle for transporting a child.

Items from the list are not marked, weighed or presented for registration.
Regarding the transportation of non-standard and oversized items, such as musical instruments, sports equipment and others not included in any of the lists, you must contact airline representatives in advance.

As can be seen from everything written, carrying luggage is a rather complicated process, and in order to avoid problems, it is better to take care in advance to comply with all measures and requirements.

If you have any questions, you can ask them in the comments. Please check the details about your flight and luggage: flight direction, amount of luggage, etc. We, in turn, will try to answer everyone as soon as possible.

Dear passengers, the rules of transportation were written not to limit your rights, but to ensure that your flight is safe. Don't ignore them!

And finally. It should be remembered that it is better to arrive at check-in 2 hours before departure in order to ensure a good mood and prevent possible difficulties.

Carry-on luggage on a plane is a real headache for most tourists returning from vacation. For many passengers, the very concept of “Hand Baggage” raises many questions. Unfortunately, not all passengers know the difference between hand luggage and luggage, and even more so from an accessory for hand luggage (an accessory for hand luggage is a very new concept for modern civil aviation).

This post will be a continuation of useful articles about the tricks of independent travel. Earlier, I wrote in detail about how to look for cheap air tickets, about what travel insurance is and how travel insurance differs from insurance for traveling abroad, in this post we will talk in detail about hand luggage and how to fly on planes without overpaying for excess weight.

What is hand luggage

Here's what Wikipedia says about the concept of hand luggage:

Hand luggage is cargo that a passenger takes with him on board a passenger vehicle (in our case it is an airplane, but the vehicle can be anything) without putting it into the luggage compartment.

As you can see, hand luggage is everything that a passenger takes with him on board the plane. Many people think so, but if you look more closely at the rules for transporting cargo on passenger planes, it turns out that everything that is on you, including outer clothing and the contents of your pockets, is no longer hand luggage, but is called personal equipment and is actually not taken into account in any way. And there are a lot of such interesting points in the rules of transportation, read about it further.

Rules for carrying hand luggage on an airplane

As I mentioned earlier, most airlines have the same size allowance for carry-on luggage, because most airlines have the same aircraft models and the same overhead bins.

The allowed size of hand luggage, in most cases, is: 55 cm x 40 cm x 20 cm or 115 cm (the sum of 3 dimensions). Here you should take into account that you most likely won’t be allowed to carry skis 115 centimeters long on board, but will be forced to check them in as luggage, since there is simply nowhere to put them in the cabin, well, you can’t carry them in the aisle.

Passengers always have difficulties determining the dimensions of hand luggage; to solve these problems in advance, many airlines install special templates at airports that imitate the permitted dimensions and anyone can check their belongings using these templates.

Beginning travelers always have a question about what is the best way to pack things when flying in the cabin of an airplane. I have tried many options from a reliable suitcase to a comfortable backpack and can give some advice.

• a carry-on suitcase is very convenient if you are transporting really valuable and fragile things (a priceless Chinese vase from the Qing Dynasty, fragile Murano glass figurines, etc.). In this case, the “armor” of the suitcase walls is justified; in all other cases, the suitcase is too inconvenient for carry-on luggage;
• a carry-on bag is an excellent solution, it can be compacted and thus it will pass any “size” control, but carrying such a bag at the airport can be very inconvenient. If the bag has wheels, then this option is quite suitable;
• a carry-on backpack is the most convenient thing that can be for carrying things on an airplane, it perfectly passes all the “size” controls (tested on a 45-liter backpack), it is easy to carry and your hands are always free. I recommend this option to everyone.

Duty Free goods in hand luggage

When purchasing goods in Duty Free shops at the airport (in the so-called “sterile zone”), you should take into account the weight of your purchases. The stores themselves do not impose any restrictions on the sale of goods (buy at least half the store).

In theory, Duty Free items are personal items and do not count as carry-on baggage, but boarding the plane can be difficult (if you have too many Duty Free purchases), so you should be rational about everything. You should also remember that transporting goods from Duty Free is required in a special container (in which the goods are packaged in the store) and not to disturb the packaging throughout the flight. It is advisable to keep the receipt for your purchase throughout the flight, it may come in handy.

If there were no problems boarding the plane and your Duty Free purchases are flying with you, then you may face restrictions at customs in the arrival camp. Each country has clear rules on the possibility of duty-free import of goods, and some (mostly Muslim countries) completely prohibit the import of the most popular Duty Free goods (alcohol). As a rule, customs “gives the go-ahead” for the import of 1 liter of strong alcohol and 1 block of cigarettes; for a larger volume you need to pay a duty. Each country has different rules, so you should check before you travel.

If you are flying with a transfer, you should remember that you will have to go through the security control procedure again and here your Duty Free bag may be regarded as hand luggage and not as personal items. In these cases, you must present a receipt from the Duty Free store of the first airport (where you made the purchase) and, of course, the Duty Free goods must be packaged accordingly.

Accessory for hand luggage

Now comes the fun part. Not so long ago, some airlines introduced a new concept for passenger aviation - “Accessory for hand luggage”, for most passengers this is a real salvation from being overweight and here’s why. Some things go beyond the concept of hand luggage and end up as accessories for hand luggage; below I will give an approximate list (it may differ for each airline, and for low-cost airlines it may be completely absent). Now the passenger has hand luggage with a regulated weight and size and the opportunity to carry on the plane some of the things that were previously considered hand luggage and took up most of the space there.

Here's what you can take on the plane as an accessory to your hand luggage from Aeroflot:

• handbag/men's briefcase;
• folder for papers;
• umbrella;
• cane;
• bouquet of flowers;
• outerwear;
• laptop computer, camera, video camera;
• printed materials for in-flight reading;
• baby food for the child during the flight;
• a baby cradle when transporting a child;
• suit in a suitcase;
• cell phone;
• crutches;
• a bag with purchases from the Duty Free store.

And again, there are several incomprehensible situations: there are instructions about a laptop, but there are no instructions about a charger, there are instructions about a camera, but they will force you to check the tripod in your luggage, etc.

Carry-on luggage for children

For passengers with small children, carrying things for all children's needs becomes a big problem. Luckily, most airlines offer the option to use an additional standard-sized carry-on bag. This rule applies to passengers with children under 2 years of age; if the child has a full-fledged ticket and a seat in the aircraft cabin, then he also has a full-fledged place for hand luggage.

How and where to place hand luggage on board an airplane

To accommodate hand luggage on board the aircraft, there are luggage racks above the passenger seats; it is their volume that dictates strict requirements (in terms of weight and size) for passengers’ hand luggage. If necessary, hand luggage can be placed under the seat of the passenger in front (not all seats on the plane have this option).

Many airlines clearly state in their rules that during air travel the accessory must be placed under the seat of the seat (located in front of you), and all hand luggage must be placed on the shelf (above your seat). Placing any items in the aisles of the aircraft or in the space near the emergency exit is prohibited.

How much hand luggage can you take on a plane?

How much hand luggage you can take on a plane depends largely on the carrier company and the class of service.

For most airlines, there is the same standard for the number of pieces of hand luggage:

• economy class - one piece of hand luggage;
• business class - two pieces of hand luggage;
• first class - two pieces of hand luggage.

Low-cost airlines stand apart; they may require additional payment for items in the aircraft cabin. Some American and Canadian carriers provide as many as 2 pieces of carry-on luggage when flying in regular economy class.

Liquids in hand luggage

Restrictions on the carriage of liquids in hand luggage seem to me the most crazy restrictions for airline passengers. Judge for yourself, because all these restrictions are for 1 liter of 100 ml. for real “bad guys” it’s very simple, just a few people with bad intentions and that’s it.

But for law-abiding passengers, these perversions of liquids in hand luggage cause enormous inconvenience and additional hassle. This is due to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, which completely changed the attitude towards aviation security and now every passenger (including infants with their jars of baby food) is considered a potential terrorist.

The rules for transporting liquids in hand luggage are as follows: a passenger has the right to carry one liter of liquids (in total) in hand luggage; liquids must be placed in containers with a volume not exceeding 100 milliliters. All liquids carried on the plane must be packed in a sealed transparent bag (with a reusable zipper); the size of the bag for liquids should not exceed 20x20 centimeters.

And as always, there are many ambiguities that confuse passengers and cause problems. For example, you will not be allowed to take on board a half-empty tube of toothpaste if its volume is more than 100 ml; to all your objections, “There’s only half there,” the only reaction is “Not allowed.” It’s not so bad to have toothpaste, but what if it’s an expensive cream in a 125 ml tube? Anything with a volume of more than 100 ml. will be confiscated and disposed of.

There are a number of goods that do not resemble liquids (for example, no reasonable person would call cheese a liquid), but are considered liquids when transported on an airplane:

• perfumery;
• shampoos;
• gels;
• lotions;
• sprays;
• oils;
• paints;
• creams;
• deodorants;
• shaving foam;
• mascara;
• lipstick;
• toothpaste;
• beverages;
• syrups;
• soups;
• cheeses;
• canned food;
• caviar;
• jam;
• homemade preparations.

Thus, it turns out that you can carry caviar and cheese in hand luggage, but not more than 1 liter (in total), which is divided into 100 ml. containers. A normal person cannot imagine hard cheese poured into small bottles, and this often leads to misunderstandings between passengers and employees at airports.

It's a joke about cheese in bottles, but it is advisable that all liquids be in labeled containers, this way you will save yourself from unnecessary questions. It should be remembered that airport workers have the right to open any jar or tube and verify the contents, it doesn’t matter if there is expensive cream or baby food inside.

What can you carry in hand luggage?

What can you take in hand luggage on a plane? Here you should answer the following question for yourself, about the necessity of the things that you carry into the aircraft cabin. It’s understandable when you take documents and really valuable things with you, but when people bring things into the aircraft cabin that could easily survive the flight in the luggage compartment, the question arises: “Why?” I believe that you should take the most necessary and valuable things in your hand luggage, and either check in everything else as checked luggage or not take it at all on your trip.

Beverages

Any drinks in glass, plastic or cardboard packaging up to 100 ml. can be carried in hand luggage; the requirements for packaging drinks from Duty Free stores are more relaxed and are not limited to a volume of 100 ml.

You can carry any drinks and alcohol in your hand luggage, but the strength of alcoholic drinks must be no more than 70%; anything higher is considered a flammable substance and is not allowed for transportation in the aircraft cabin.

Food and food

There are no special requirements or restrictions for food (you should check with your airline) if you are bringing food within reasonable limits (a sandwich for the road or a few apples). It should be remembered that in some states there are strict regulations that prohibit the import of meat, dairy and other products. It should also be noted that some products (for example, cheese, yogurt or caviar) are considered liquids, and the package volume should not exceed 100 ml.

Here is a list of these liquid products:

• caviar;
• yoghurts (regular or drinking);
• soups;
• honey, jam;
• canned food (meat, fish, homemade preparations);
• foods with a lot of sauce or gravy.

Some airlines allow the following solid and dry foods to be taken into the cabin:

• sandwiches;
• sausages, cutlets, sausages;
• cookies, chips, bread, waffles;
• vegetables and fruits;
• sweets, cakes and pastries.

Electronics and modern gadgets

When going through customs at the airport, you will be asked to remove your laptop from your carry-on luggage and place it in the basket for later scanning. Laptop, phone, smartphone, etc. may not be taken into account in the weight of hand luggage and are considered personal items, but here you should study the airline’s rules more carefully.

On some flights to the United States, any electronic device larger than a smartphone is prohibited from being carried in carry-on baggage.

The following electronic devices can be carried in the aircraft cabin:

• mobile phone (with the exception of exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones);
• laptop, tablet, e-reader;
• camera, video camera;
• MP3, DVD player.

Medicines

Medicines and medicines needed on the trip can be taken in hand luggage, but please note that you may be asked to prove the need for certain medications (you should have a doctor's instructions on the need to take medications).

Care devices

The following personal devices can be carried in hand luggage.

• a safety razor and replacement blades for it, as well as an electric razor;
• hair dryer and other hair styling devices;
• a toothbrush (including an electric one).

Cosmetics and hygiene products

In hand luggage you can take cosmetics and hygiene products in any (glass, plastic, paper, wooden, etc.) packages with a volume of up to 100 ml.

• cream, gel;
• suntan lotion or oil;
• toothpaste;
• deodorant (solid, spray, roll-on);
• hairspray and foam;
• liquid for contact lenses;
• shampoo, mask, hair conditioner, etc.

Other items in hand luggage

• literature and magazines;
• a painting (its size must not exceed the allowable size for hand luggage);
• dishes, glasses, sets, etc.;
• musical instrument;
• wedding dress and other clothes (must be carried in a special case - a briefcase, it is counted as one
• piece of hand luggage).

It is important to know some features that may surprise you right at the airport (read the passenger's story in the comments to this post). For example, an ordinary skateboard may be considered a weapon and will be asked to be checked in as luggage. I became interested and I checked with the airport representatives whether this was true or not, that’s what they told me. The full answer to my letter can be seen in the photographs.

In accordance with aviation security requirements, according to paragraph 72 of the Order of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation dated July 25, 2007 No. 104: “items and substances that can be used as weapons of attack, but not prohibited for transportation on board the aircraft, are packaged and transported in as checked baggage.

All restrictions on carrying items in hand luggage can be divided into several groups.

• prohibited for safety reasons - weapons and toys that imitate them (firearms, piercing weapons, etc.), exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones, I think everything is clear here;
• prohibited for the convenience of passengers - everyone wants to smuggle their oversized cargo on board, but no one wants to sit next to a friend who brought oversized cargo into the cabin;
• prohibited for commercial purposes - using an airplane cabin as a “gazelle for transportation” is possible, but expensive. If you want to bring 50 kilograms of mangoes from Thailand, pay for the excess and bring them.

Now let's talk about this in more detail, recent events with exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones surprised and scared many. And as a result - a complete ban on the use of this smartphone model on board an aircraft.

Sharp objects, explosive loads and weapons

• It is prohibited to take firearms and any piercing or cutting objects (knife, corkscrew, razor blades, sharp manicure utensils, etc.) into hand luggage;
• working tools (screwdrivers, nails, files, drills, etc.);
• sports equipment (skateboard, roller skates, scooters, baseball bats, etc.).

Electronics and modern gadgets are prohibited in hand luggage

After the scandal with the exploding Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone, many countries banned bringing Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones on board an airplane, and the Federal Air Transport Agency went even further and prohibited bringing this smartphone model even into the airport.

Many airlines have prohibited the carriage of small personal mobility aids powered by lithium batteries (unicycles, mini-Segways, hoverboards, hoverboards, etc.) in hand luggage and in the cargo compartment.

On March 21, 2017, the US authorities banned the carriage of electronic devices in hand luggage, the ban was imposed on flights from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa. Passengers from these countries (Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates) traveling non-stop to the United States are prohibited from carrying laptops, tablets, cameras and other electronics in their carry-on luggage. The UK also joined this ban.

Food and food

If you managed to bring food and other food products on board the plane (some airlines are not particularly picky about this), then it is advisable to destroy (eat) it there, since many countries prohibit the import of any agricultural products, meat, milk and etc. without proper certificates.

Carrying hand luggage on an airplane, tricks and life hacks

The main life hack “How not to overpay for excess luggage” is to leave everything unnecessary at home, but not everyone can give themselves such pleasure - traveling with a half-empty backpack, so I’ll tell you how I deal with excess weight in my carry-on luggage.

Usually, I travel with two backpacks, one large (about 45 liters), the other small (30 liters). At the beginning of your journey, all things (including a 30 liter backpack) are placed in a 45 liter backpack and fly as hand luggage in the cabin. During a long trip, backpacks are filled with all sorts of necessary (and not so necessary) things and on the way back they no longer fit into each other, and this is where you have to think about how to optimize the weight and size of your luggage.

Here is a sample list of actions to reduce the weight of your luggage after a long trip:

Make the most of your body- sounds strange, but if you understand that the advantage is inevitable, then you can carry some of the things into the cabin of the plane on yourself in the literal sense of the word. For example, you can wear warm clothes from your luggage (it will probably be hot and you will look stupid), you can put small but heavy souvenirs in your pockets, etc.

If you go even further, you can buy fashionable and very practical clothes from the famous brand SCOTTeVEST. Their signature jackets are specially designed for travelers, with top models featuring over 40 pockets of all shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of gadgets and devices. With such functionality, all SCOTTeVEST brand clothing looks fashionable and modern. Any of their little things, be it a cap or panties, will be provided with pockets for storage.

Get rid of everything unnecessary- there are things that there is no point in bringing back and you can get rid of them in a variety of ways, you can simply throw them in the trash, donate them to the natives or sell them off. On my Indian trip, a gift in the form of an ordinary ballpoint pen evoked extremely positive emotions among local children.

Find a travel companion- if you find a fellow traveler who doesn’t have as much luggage as you, you can always ask for a favor. But here you should be very careful and trust the person (and he should also trust you), because where is the guarantee that it may end up in the things you handed over and where is the guarantee that a new acquaintance will return your luggage.

Send part of your luggage by mail- every country has a post office and this fact should not be ignored. The cost of sending to Russia will cost some money, but it is much cheaper than tariffs for excess luggage.

Travelers often have a number of questions regarding the transportation of luggage, as well as all the nuances associated with it. As statistics show, many want to know how much a suitcase should weigh at the airport. Yes, this is far from the only question.

You need to understand that during a flight, luggage is divided into two parts: hand luggage and general luggage. If they tell you about luggage, then they mean exactly those things that you check in at check-in. Everything you take with you is called hand luggage. Completely different rules and regulations already apply to it. The main points to pay attention to are weight and dimensions.

Airplane baggage weight

You should know that each airline has its own rules and regulations regarding weight. There are only 2 systems in the world.

1. Weight system. These rules apply to almost all flights within Asia, the CIS and some European countries. As for the weight that can be carried free of charge, the standards are as follows:

• passengers with economy class tickets are allowed only 20 kg per person;
• business class includes luggage weighing up to 30 kg;
• If you are traveling with a child under 2 years old, then he is provided with 10 kg of luggage weight.

There are some exceptions. For example, if you participate in airline bonus programs, you can take on 10-20 kg more.

You need to understand that the weight system only limits the weight itself, and not the number of places. That is, you can have at least 5 bags with a total acceptable value. If you are traveling with two or three, then it is possible to combine the weight of suitcases. For example, a family of two may have 30 kg of luggage. In this case, the permissible norm is 32 kg.

As for excess weight, you will have to pay extra for the extra kilogram at airline rates. There may also be exceptions here. Some people close their eyes to the slight difference, while others, on the contrary, will count everything, right down to the grams.

Practice shows that some flight routes initially mean increased baggage weight. This means that before you buy a ticket, you must immediately clarify the weight system and the exact values. By the way, this can be done immediately on the official website of the carrier company.

1. Number of seats system. Already from the name it becomes clear that the carrier does not focus on the total weight, but on the number of seats. A similar system is found in the USA and Canada. Recently, Aeroflot has also begun to use a similar system. Thus, when flying from Sheremetyevo or Domodedovo, be sure to check the baggage system.

So, the system makes it possible to carry the following amount of baggage for free:

1. Economy class ticket holders are allowed 1 seat weighing 23 kg. Most often - 2 pieces of 23 kg each.
2. Business class means 2 seats weighing 32 kg each.

The level of customer participation in bonus programs makes it possible to transport a larger number of places. It all depends on the bonus level.

With all these standards, you should know that the total weight does not add up. For example, if at least one suitcase is more than a kilogram, you will have to pay extra for it. If you are flying as a family, the same rules apply. That is, it is impossible to sum up the number of seats and weight for three.

Interesting fact: movers are prohibited from lifting bags weighing more than 32 kg. If your luggage weighs 35 kg, you will have to buy another bag or package in order to shift the excess.

Permissible dimensions and transportation rules

As for the weight of luggage, it all depends on the established standards. For example, with a number of seats system, the sum of all sides, that is, length, width and height should not exceed 158 cm. If a weight system is in effect, then a total of 203 cm is allowed on all sides.

But what to do in case of discrepancy? There is nothing wrong with this, since it is possible to register such luggage as oversized. This includes:

1. Various musical instruments.
2. Large sports equipment - for example, skis, snowboards.
3. Various appliances: TVs, refrigerators, washing machines.
4. Simply oversized luggage weighing more than 32 kg.

Is it safe to carry fragile luggage on an airplane? Yes, just for this purpose, do not forget to inform at registration that it must be handled with special care. In this case, a special sticker or tag is placed on it. Please note that the bags do not travel along a belt, but loaders come to pick them up.