What items can I travel with

There are restrictions on what items you can take onto aircraft for reasons of safety, security and taxes. Some items are not allowed in your hand baggage and some are not allowed anywhere on the aircraft. Some items need to have the approval of the airline before you can take them on board.

Individual airports have discretion to confiscate anything they consider dangerous, regardless of whether or not it appears on the list of prohibited articles and passengers who have queries over whether something will be permitted should check with the airport and airline in question before travelling.

Medical equipment and medication

Essential medicines are allowed in your hand luggage. If the medicine is a liquid, and the amount of liquid is more than 100ml, please carry either a prescription with your name on it or a letter from a medical professional confirming your need for the medical or dietary liquids. If you need to carry a large amount of dietary liquids or medication in your hand baggage, it is advisable to contact the airport in advance to inform them of when you are travelling.

You will need permission from the airline to take certain medical equipment on board (e.g. oxygen or insulin pumps). Some airlines will not allow you to take your own oxygen bottles on board but will provide this on request - there may be some charge for this.

If you are likely to exceed your hand luggage allowance by carrying medication or medical equipment, you should let your airline know in advance. You may need to provide a doctor's letter to support this.

If you have questions on whether your health condition may be affected by flying see our health information for passengers.

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Powered wheelchairs and mobility aids

If you have a battery-powered wheelchair or mobility aid which you wish to take on the aircraft, you need to contact your airline to let them know. This is because battery-powered devices can be a fire risk on board aircraft, and the airline will need to disable the battery before the flight takes off.

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Dangerous goods

International standards allow passengers to carry dangerous goods either in carry-on baggage, checked baggage or on their person. However, passengers should be aware that airlines and security screening agencies have the right to refuse the carriage of certain dangerous goods and additional restrictions implemented by countries may limit or forbid the carriage of some items in the interests of aviation safety.

Certain sharp knives, ammunition, guns and certain scissors are banned from being taken into the cabin of the plane, whether in hand luggage or on your person. For full details, see the Government's guidance on hand luggage restrictions at UK airports.

The CAA has published guidance on the types of dangerous goods which passengers are permitted to carry in their carry-on baggage, in their checked baggage, on their person and those which are forbidden on an aircraft. Some dangerous goods will require the airline's approval before travel.

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Excess baggage

If you exceed the airline's permitted carry-on baggage size and weight limitations, you may be advised to transfer this baggage to the aircraft hold. Should this be the case, you must ensure that your baggage does not contain dangerous goods that are permitted for carriage in carry-on baggage only, for example spare lithium batteries.

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Liquids

There are strict restrictions on liquids in hand baggage for security reasons. If you need to take liquids away with you, aim to pack as much as possible in your hold baggage. Liquids in this sense include lipsticks, mascara, toothpaste, hairspray, shaving foam and other cosmetic and toiletry items of a similar consistency.

Information on the latest rules on what liquids allowed in your hand luggage is published by Gov.uk.

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