Is this your first overseas flight or when last did you make sure what you may include in your hand luggage? Here is a short guide for what to include and what to avoid when you pack your bags again!

It is terrible if you unwittingly have put something in your hand luggage that is not allowed and first have to step aside while your whole bag is being searched. Prevent this by knowing what should not be in your hand luggage.

What to avoid

Containers with liquids such as spray, gel, perfume or face wash should be 100 ml or smaller and should be in a 1 L clear, sealable bag. Avoid liquids as far as possible, but if you have to take contact lens solution, formula milk or prescribed medicine (such as cough medicine), the 100 ml rule will not apply.

If you put you make-up bag in your hand luggage, remember to remove unnecessary liquids such as nail varnish remover. Other items that will not be allowed by security staff are lighters, can openers, nail files, pocket knives, fruit, bottles of water and items such as screws that people may have in their bags. If you are on your way to relatives for Christmas, remember that wrapped parcels are not allowed. Take wrapping paper with you and wrap your gift parcels after the flight.

Your hand luggage should consist of items you will need immediately, so everything you can do without during the flight should be in your other luggage. Here are the items that should be in your hand luggage:

What to pack

The maximum size of your hand luggage bag varies from one airline to the next, but a safe guideline is a bag with dimensions of 56 cm x 36 cm x 23 cm weighing no more than 8 kg. The hand luggage regulations stipulate that larger laptops and briefcases may be seen as separate hand luggage and that you are allowed only one bag as hand luggage. If your laptop or handbag is small enough, it will be viewed as a personal item you may take with you in addition to your hand luggage bag.

If you are travelling with children you will be allowed one collapsible pram and one baby bag with nappies, bottles and food without extra costs, provided these two items combined do not weigh more than 8 kg.

Make sure you have all your necessary items in your hand luggage:

Travel documents: Passport, wallet, credit card, important telephone numbers (bank number for in case your card is blocked, travel insurance emergency numbers or embassy contact numbers), accommodation documents, flight tickets, travel insurance, medical prescriptions and any other personal documents.

Toiletries: Tissues, prescribed medication, hair brush, mini deodorant and feminine sanitary products. For a long flight you could also consider taking your tooth brush and a tube of tooth paste of less than 100 m.

Sleeping/Comfort: A warm jacket or top to survive the air-conditioning, neck pillow and an extra set of clothes if you have a transfer flight or for in case your other luggage gets lost.

Entertainment: Book, magazine, cellphone charger, iPad, pen and paper and camera.

Snacks: Chewing gum, water (which you may buy once you have passed through security) and any sweet or salty snacks other than fruit or vegetables.

You don’t have much to worry about if it is your first flight, because anything not allowed will simply be removed from your luggage. The rules are quite clear, and if you avoid sharp objects, weapons and large containers of liquid, you will pass the security test with flying colours. The golden rule is to pack as little as possible so you will have enough space for your purchases on the flight back!

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