Carry-on luggage restrictions - Airline regulations

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Airline carry-on restrictions are subject to change without notice. Always check with your carrier if you are unsure of what the current regulations are.

January 2010 - Despite the recent attempt to detonate explosives on a flight into Detroit on Christmas day 2009, there have been no changes in general rules relating to carry-on baggage and photographic gear. Passenger screening may be somewhat stricter, especially for flights into the US from overseas, but they currently seem to be mainly more intensive inspection of luggage and passengers rather than additional restrictions on what can be carried onto the plane. Of course this can change at a moments notice, but as of early January 2010 there seem to have been no significant changes. The TSA's list of prohibited items can be downloaded from the TSA website at http://www.tsa.gov/assets/pdf/prohibited_items_brochure.pdf. Note that this document is currently dated March 2009.

July 2009 - Here is the current status of carry-on baggage for flights departing from the US to most destinations. However you should always check with your particular airline as they may have their own regulations in addition to those listed below and may be more restrictive. The rules listed below apply to Continental airlines flights (as of July 2009).

Carry-on Bag

One bag plus one personal item (see below), per customer to be carried on the aircraft.

The maximum combined linear measurement (L + W + H) of the carry-on bag is 45 inches (115 cm) up to 14 in x 9 in x 22 in. The maximum weight of the carry-on bag is 40 pounds (18 kg).

If you are departing from or connecting through London Heathrow (LHR), you are allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item as stated above; however, please note that the Department for Transport (DfT) regulations in the U.K. require that the 45 linear inches (114 linear cm) includes the handles and wheels of your carry-on bag.

If you are traveling with any liquid, gel or aerosol items:

• Customers departing from U.S. airports on any domestic or international flight may bring carry-on bags through security and aboard the aircraft with trial-size toiletries (3.4 ounces or less) which can be purchased at any drug store.
• Toiletries must fit comfortably in one, quart-size (7.5" x 8"), clear plastic zip-top bag.
• The zip-top bag may need to be presented separately at airport security so make sure it is easily accessible when you approach the screening area.

Additionally, beverages or toiletries purchased inside the airport beyond the security checkpoints will be allowed onboard the aircraft.

Items greater than 3.4 ounces and/or not contained in a zip-top bag may be allowed on board but must be declared to the TSA at the security checkpoint for screening. These items include baby formula, milk (to include breast milk), baby food, juice, medications and liquids/gels that are needed for diabetic or other medical conditions.

Personal items

In addition to the one carry-on item, you may bring free-of-charge the below items:

• one small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, camera case, compact disk player or similar sized personal entertainment item
• personal aid devices such as wheelchairs, braces, canes, crutches, prosthetic devices and walking sticks, provided passenger is dependent on them
• one infant article such as a small collapsible stroller, a diaper bag or a government approved child seat (larger strollers can be checked in the jetway prior to boarding the aircraft)
• full-size video game consoles (for example Playstation®, X-box®, or Nintendo®), full-size DVD players, and video cameras that use video cassettes (must be removed from carrying cases and submitted separately for x-ray screening)
• CPAP breathing machines (must be removed from carrying case and submitted separately for x-ray screening)

Photographers should note the following items

Photographers should be aware that cameras, lenses and electronics are NOT covered by the airline's lost or damaged luggage policy, so if at all possible photographic equipment (and computers) should to placed in your carry-on baggage and NOT in your checked baggage. In fact most airlines won't compensate you for anything that they lose or damage in your checked baggage except for clothing. If you have no choice but to ship photographic items in checked baggage, make sure you either have them independently insured or that you can afford to lose them.

Note that the TSA allows airlines to permit passengers to carry on a bag of photographic equipment (http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/assistant/editorial_1248.shtm) in addition to the standard carry-on and one personal item. However most airlines restrict passengers to one carry-on and one personal item only.

Effective January 1, 2008, you may not pack spare lithium batteries in your checked baggage. You may pack spare lithium batteries in your carry-on baggage.

For travelers departing from airports in the USA, the TSA has a list of prohibited items here - http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Update - January 2008 - Two regulation changes took effect this month. First the "One bag and one bag only" rule when boarding aircraft in the UK has been relaxed. You can now take one bag plus one small personal item (laptop, small camera bag, handbag etc.) on some airlines flying out of some UK airports. Yes, it depends on the airport and the airline, so you have to check ahead of time if your carrier and the airport you are flying out of is allowing the second item of carry-on baggage. Most major carriers are allowing the personal item carry-on, but some of the low-cost, no-frills, airlines doing short haul flights are not. Airports have to have their security status approved before they can allow the second item. Right now Heathrow (London) is approved but Gatwick (London) isn't. Check this page for info on airports run by BAA in the UK.

There are also new regulations on the number and size of Li containing batteries you are allowed to take on passenger planes. They are banned in checked luggage, but they are allowed in carry-on luggage, subject to certain restrictions which are detailed here at http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/li_battery_restrictions.html

Update - November 2007 - There really haven't been any significant changes in carry-on rules since the summer, so those traveling over the holiday season shouldn't have any surprises. For flights departing from he UK the following rules apply:

Each passenger is restricted to carrying only one item through the airport search point with a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm and a maximum weight of 18kg (40lbs), including wheels, handles and external pockets. Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage.

For flights departing from the US :

Each passenger is allowed one carry-on item with a maximum combined linear dimension (height+width+depth) of 51" (130cm) and a maximum weight of 40lbs. Passengers are also allowed one small personal article such as a briefcase, purse, day planner, small laptop computer, camera case, compact disk player or similar sized personal entertainment item.

There is some good news on the horizon for travelers departing from the UK next year though. After the new year (sometime in early January), airports in the UK will gradually be able to accept additional hand luggage as they open up additional capacity. Arrangements at each airport will be different. However until otherwise informed by their airport or airline, passengers should continue to prepare to travel with just one item of cabin luggage.

Photographers should be aware that cameras, lenses and electronics are NOT covered by the airline's lost or damaged luggage policy, so if at all possible photographic equipment (and computers) should to placed in your carry-on baggage and NOT in your checked baggage. In fact most airlines won't compensate you for anything that they lose or damage in your checked baggage except for clothing. If you have no choice but to ship photographic items in checked baggage, make sure you either have them independently insured or that you can afford to lose them.

Update - July 2007 - The TSA (United States Transportation Security Administration) now has a program for carry-on liquids and gels which they call " 3-1-1". Basically this allows airline passengers to include small amounts of liquids and gels in their carry-on luggage if each of the bottles contains less than 3 oz of liquid (about 100ml) and all the bottles are placed in a 1 quart sized zip top transparent plastic bag. Each traveler is allowed only one such bag which will be hand inspected.

As of July 2007 the TSA is reporting that countries that are currently harmonized with TSA's rules for carrying liquids through the checkpoint include: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Cook Islands, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

As of July 2007, passengers leaving the US are permitted a single carry-on bag with a combined length+width+height of 51" (except for flights to Delhi and the UK, for which the limit is 45") weighing less than 40lbs, plus one personal item such as a briefcase, laptop, camera case etc. I'd assume a "camera case" means a small case, not a LowePro Super Trekker!

Passengers on flights leaving the UK are restricted to carrying only one item through the airport search point with a maximum size of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22" x 17.7" x 9.8"), including wheels, handles and external pockets. (note: the "3-1-1" bag must be able to fit within the cabin bag). Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage.

Of course any change in terrorist activity or threat levels in individual countries can result in an immediate change in rules regarding airline travel, so as always check with your airline before flying.

A list of TSA prohibited and allowed items can be found at http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Update - Tuesday 10/10/06 - I flew from the UK to the US last week and security wasn't too much of a hassle. The size restriction on carry-on luggage has been relaxed somewhat, making it much easier to transport photo gear, but there is still a strict "one bag" limit per passenger. There is an exception for musical instruments, but unfortunately, not for cameras and lenses. You can take a cello onto the plane, but not a 600/4 lens unless it's less than 22" in length and you can get it in your bag!

The 22" x 17.7" x 9.8" size limit allows you to take on something like a LowePro Computreker plus photo-backpack if you don't stuff it too full, though a full size photo backpack would still be a problem.

Here is the official announcment :

"On Thursday 21st September, the Department for Transport announced changes to the UK's aviation security measures, notably increases to the size of cabin baggage that can be taken onboard an aircraft. The changes came into effect on Friday 22 September 2006. All passengers starting their journey at a UK airport and those transferring from international flights at a UK airport are required to be aware of the following:

ONE item only of cabin baggage is permitted through the airport security search point, the dimensions of this item must not exceed: a maximum length of 56 cm, width of 45 cm and depth of 25 cm ( 22" x 17.7" x 9.8"), including wheels, handles, side pockets etc.. Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be x-ray screened."

Latest Update - Sunday 8/27/06 - The UK restrictions remain in effect. One carry-on bag ONLY (everything has to go in the bag, you don't get a handbag, purse or briefcase as well) with maximum dimensions of 45cm by 35cm by 16cm (17.7" x 13.7" x 6.2") including wheels, handles, side pockets etc. No liquids or gels of any kind, not even if you buy them in the departure lounge after clearing initial security and baggage check. On flights to the UK from the US, normal carry-on policy is in effect by most airlines, but there is a similar ban on all liquids and gels.

Latest Update - Sunday 8/13/06: 9:30pm - From the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk) - "The terror threat to the UK has been downgraded from critical to severe. The Home Office said the decision had been made because an attack was "highly likely" but no longer "imminent".

The change in the threat level means the ban on taking hand luggage on to flights from the UK has been lifted although some restrictions remain. Meanwhile a British Airways flight from Heathrow to New York has been turned back because a mobile phone, which were banned at the time, was on board."

The following carry-on restrictions are currently in effect for flights leaving the UK:

Each passenger is permitted to carry one item of cabin baggage through the airport security search point. The dimensions of this item must not exceed a maximum length of 45cm, width of 35cm and depth of 16cm (17.7" x 13.7" x 6.2" approx) including wheels, handles, side pockets etc. Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried within the single item of cabin baggage. All items carried by passengers will be screened by X-ray. No liquids of any type are permitted through the airport security search point, other than the following items:

• Prescription medicines in liquid form sufficient and essential for the flight (eg diabetic kit), as long as verified as authentic.
• Baby milk and liquid baby food (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger).

The definition of liquids includes gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurized containers, eg toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols etc. To help their progress through search points, passengers are encouraged not to include items capable of containing liquids (eg bottles, flasks, tubes, cans, plastic containers etc) in their cabin baggage. All laptops and large electrical items (eg large hairdryer) must be removed from the bag and placed in a tray so that such items neither obscure nor are obscured by the bag.

Update Sunday 08/13/06: 5:00pm - From the International Herals Tribune (iht.com) - "Michael Chertoff, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said Sunday that the United States would relax some measures even though he expected the Bush administration to keep the country on its highest threat alert for flights headed to the United States from the United Kingdom and at its second-highest level for all other flights.

Chertoff said he did not foresee a complete ban on cabin luggage on U.S. flights. Though that may be confusing for some travelers, who under the new rules could fly from New York to Heathrow with a laptop and other hand luggage, but would then have to check them if they transited to another flight through London.

The strict rules imposed in Britain look set to remain in force over coming days, if not weeks, even though some airline executives accused the government of overreacting."

Original Article - As most of you will know, due to a foiled terrorist plot involving flights from the UK to the US, both the UK and US (and possible other countries) have increased security at airports. Among the restrictions currently in the UK is an almost total ban on carry-on items. This includes all film, cameras and electronic equipment. At the present time (August 12th) all items MUST be placed in checked baggage.

While this is an inconvenience for everyone, it's a special problem for photographers for two reasons.

First, cameras, electronics and other items of value are NOT covered by any airline i nsurance against loss or damage. So if your bag gets lost, your camera is stolen or if it suffers damage, the airline is not liable for the cost of repair or replacement.

Second, one can only hope that with the increased security level, all checked baggage will be X-rayed. These are high power X-rays, not low power ones like those normally used for carry-on baggage. The checked baggage X-rays WILL fog film, so this presents a real problems for those shooting film. Note that digital cameras should not be affected by the X-rays, neither should images stored on memory cards, CDs, DVDs or on computer hard drives.

So what can you do?

If you're going to be leaving the UK with camera gear, make sure that your homewowner's policy covers loss, theft or damage of your camera gear and make sure that there is a reasonably low deductible. If not you may be able to get a special insurance policy that does cover those items and that has a low deductible. Pack any cameras, lenses in a well padded bag. Baggage handlers at airports are not know for their gentle handing of luggage. Expect the bag to be thrown and/or dropped and pack accordingly.

Don't ship undeveloped film in checked baggage. Get it processed before you fly or send it via mail or a package service (e.g. FedEx). Buy film at your destination rather than taking it with you.

Note that at this time these restrictions are only of flights LEAVING the UK. Currently you can carry-on cameras, film and electronics on flights TO the UK. You can't take any liquids or gels in carry on baggage, but unless you plan on taking chemicals to process your film with, that shouldn't be an issue for photographers, at least not an issue related to their photography. The restrictions on liquids/gels is because the foiled plan involved the use of liquid based explosive devices. Internal flights in the US may or may not have restrictions on liquids/gels in carry-on baggage. If in doubt, check with your airline. It has also been reported that India is banning liquids in carry on baggage and has tightened up restrictions on what else is allowed, but I don't have more details on what those restrictions are.

Let's hope that these restrictions are temporary and that normal carry-on policies will be back in place before too long. Obviously security has to come first, especially under emergency conditions, but let's hope that security screening of carry on baggage will in the future be sufficient to minimize any terrorist activity.

However, for now, if you are flying out of the UK with camera gear, you do need to plan ahead and decide exactly what you will do, because there will be NO exceptions whatsoever to the "no carry-on policy" until further notice.

If in doubt about current restrictions or restrictions on the particular route you are flying, check with your airline before packing and leaving for the airport.

Be safe.

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