When travelling by plane from an airport in the EU, you should keep in mind certain security requirements about which items are forbidden on a plane, and other general rules when packing and boarding a plane:
- Liquids carried in the aircraft cabin such as aerosols, drinks, toothpaste, cosmetic creams or gels must be carried in a transparent plastic bag – maximum capacity 1 litre – and no container may hold more than 100 ml. Liquid containers larger than 100 ml must be placed in checked baggage. The volume restriction does not apply to medicines and baby food.
- Duty free liquids purchased from any airport or airline may be carried as hand luggage as long as the item and the receipt remain sealed inside the security bag (with a red border) provided at the time of purchase. You may not open the security bag until arrival at your final destination. However, security officers may need to open the bag and the bottles for screening. If this happens, and you have a connecting flight at another airport, tell the security officer so the liquids can be re-sealed in a new security bag.
- Any sharp objects that might be used as weapons are not allowed in the aircraft cabin. These could be everyday objects such as corkscrews knives and scissors of a certain size, which should be packed in your hold luggage.
- Limits on the size of cabin baggage and the number of items you are allowed to take on board are set by the airlines so check with your airline before you travel.
- Explosives and inflammable items – fireworks or aerosol spray paint for example, and other inflammable and toxic substances such as acids – are prohibited on flights. They may not be carried in either cabin or checked baggage.
- No weapons of any kind are allowed on board the aircraft.
The above information applies to European Union airports, although most apply to all airports in the world. For your convenience, it would be a good idea to check the airport website from which you are departing for any differences, as well as find out what you are allowed to get in the country you are arriving.