Rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage: features, requirements and recommendations

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

With the beginning of the summer holidays, tourists' questions about the rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage on board an airliner have become more frequent. After all, travelers often do not have reliable information about what is allowed to take with them on an aircraft, and what is strictly prohibited. Usually, our compatriots, when packing their bags for the trip, are guided by the advice of friends who often fly with various airlines. However, even they may not be aware of all the intricacies of the baggage rules. Baggage rules also change regularly. Therefore, by the summer season, each major air carrier is trying to publish an updated list on its official website, which contains everything that passengers need to know. Most of all, those who travel with large families with children of different ages are concerned about the rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage on an airplane. In today's article, we will give you the most up-to-date information on this issue.

Manualluggage: description of the term

Everyone who has flown at least once in an airplane is well aware of such a phrase as "hand luggage". It seems that this term should not cause questions, but, as practice shows, not every traveler correctly understands its meaning.

According to international terminology, hand luggage is a bag with a passenger's personal belongings, corresponding to the dimensions and weight established by the airline, and also marked with a special tag.

Each carrier independently sets the dimensions of hand luggage, so you must carefully read the rules before flying. Quite often, when booking a ticket via the Internet, this data is displayed on the screen, which greatly facilitates the preparation for the trip.

Many tourists classify as hand luggage everything they take with them on board an aircraft, but this is not at all the case. Each passenger is absolutely free to carry the following things on the plane:

• handbag;
• laptop or tablet;
• umbrella;
• paper folders;
• flower bouquet;
• outerwear or a suit with a case.

All of the above do not need to be weighed or labelled, so these items cannot be considered hand luggage. Keep this in mind as you travel.

Liquids on the plane

Just a few years ago, the rules and regulations for transporting liquids on an airplane were quite loyal. They did not have strict restrictions, which greatly facilitated the life of passengers - they could take airship almost everything you want. However, in recent years, in the face of increasing terrorist threats, airlines have significantly limited the carrying of liquids on the plane.

Therefore, before the flight, each passenger should carefully study what and in what quantities he can take with him. Many travelers are wondering what baggage rules they need to follow on airplanes - Russian or international. This moment usually raises numerous questions, because each country pays attention to its own specific nuances. How not to make a mistake when going on a trip?

In fact, everything is simple: in order to correctly calculate the amount of liquid that you are allowed to take on board, you should look for the rules not of the country where you are flying, but of the airline that is flying. The carrier's website will indicate all the nuances that meet the requirements of international transportation standards, and the air carrier's own changes.

Since we cannot cover all the famous airlines in the world, in the article we will focus on international standards, and also consider the rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage of the two Russian air transportation leaders - Aeroflot and S7. After all, it is these companies that Russians most often fly within the country and abroad.

Liquid carry-on baggage rules

Many travelers flying to the sea take with them a lot of sunscreen sprays, creams, and other cosmetics thatcompared to liquids. Some tourists even manage to take their drinks on vacation - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. When packing bags, questions often arise about whether it is possible to carry all this in the luggage compartment and whether the airline staff will force them to take these things out of the suitcase.

If you are also concerned about such issues, then do not worry - in your luggage you can carry any amount of liquids and substances that fall under this category by consistency. The absence of restrictions is due to the fact that all bags and suitcases that enter the luggage compartment of the aircraft must undergo X-ray inspection. Therefore, airline employees are sure that nothing prohibited in your luggage can be, and liquids do not pose any danger at all.

The only thing a traveler may face is a restriction on the import of foreign alcohol into Russia. Of course, this nuance does not apply to air carriers, but to customs rules. However, this information cannot be redundant. Keep in mind that when you return to the country, you should not have more than three liters of alcohol-containing liquid per person. Otherwise, Customs will confiscate excess alcohol.

Duty free liquid

Often, our compatriots, after checking in their luggage and going through all the stages of personal inspection, go to duty-free shops to buy something interesting. Usually these purchases arealcoholic beverages and perfumes, which naturally belong to liquids. And therefore, they will obey the rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage. How not to be left without your purchases and deliver them safe and sound?

There is some deviation from the general rules on this score. According to it, passengers have the right to bring on board liquids purchased at a duty-free shop. However, they must be packed in a sealed bag, which must be kept closed during air travel. In addition, do not throw away the receipt confirming the purchase. The airline staff can ask you for this document at any time to make sure that the purchase was made on the day of departure.

Liquid Hand Baggage Rules

If you plan to take any liquids on board that you cannot do without on a flight, then you should carefully study the rules of the airline carrying out your transportation.

Keep in mind that liquids must be in a container not exceeding one hundred milliliters in volume. Often, Russians try to carry liter water bottles with them, in which there is very little content left, and they are very surprised when airline employees pull them out of their hand luggage during the inspection. Remember that the container itself should not exceed one hundred milliliters, but the amount of liquid in it no longer matters.

There may be several containers that comply with the rules, but they must all be packedin a transparent plastic bag. It is in this form that all bottles and vials can be allowed to be placed in hand luggage. A plastic bag can be obtained free of charge at the baggage screening point and, in the presence of an airport employee, place all available liquids in it.

The rules seem pretty simple, but travelers often get confused as to which liquids are allowed in carry-on baggage.

List of allowed liquids

To make it easier for you to travel, we decided to publish a list of those substances that you can take with you on board the plane:

• water, juices, soups and other foods of appropriate consistency;
• cream, oils and similar cosmetic products;
• perfumes (perfumes, eau de toilette, and so on);
• aerosols and containers containing pressurized contents (e.g. deodorants);
• any gels and pastes;
• mascaras.

It is also not forbidden to carry in your hand luggage non-hazardous substances that resemble liquid in their consistency.

Medications

Tourists often doubt whether it is possible to take various medicines in a liquid state with them on a plane. After all, many people find it quite difficult to do without certain medications in flight. Given this nuance, airlines allow you to bring medicines on board, but they reserve the right to require you to prove the need for datamedicines. This evidence can be an extract from the medical history, a certificate from a doctor or a pharmacy prescription.

Baby food

Very acute for young mothers planning an air flight, there is a question about baby food. Many toddlers are quite biased in their choice of food, and in the absence of their favorite jar of puree, they begin to express dissatisfaction loudly. Can I bring baby food on board?

Airlines on this account are unanimous in their opinion - you have the right to carry any number of jars and bottles of baby food in your hand luggage. But just in case, check your airline's liquid policy changes before you fly.

Russian airlines: carrying liquids on board

Since the largest and most famous Russian air carrier is Aeroflot, the rules for carrying liquids in hand luggage of this company are of interest to many travelers.

If you also plan to make your flight with Aeroflot aircraft, then know that this company does not impose special requirements for liquids on board, contrary to general international rules. Before boarding the flight, if necessary, you will be given a plastic container where all the liquids up to one hundred milliliters that you decide to take on board will go. You are allowed to carry any amount of liquids in the hold.

S7 has the same clear carry-on baggage rules. This company allows liquids to be carried on board onlypacked in a container not exceeding one hundred milliliters in volume. This year, the airline has not made any changes to the list of liquids allowed for transportation on aircraft, as well as to the rules for their packaging.

Conclusion

Travel is always pleasant chores and expectation of adventure. And so that the trip is not spoiled at the very beginning, it is worth carefully preparing for it. We hope that our article will make long road tolls easier for you.