Cabin baggage rules

Liquids, aerosols, and gels

The rule — formally known as the Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels (LAGs) restriction — applies at all airports across the EU, UK, and US. It originated from the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot and was standardised under ICAO guidance. See the full liquids rule guide for exceptions, STEB bags, and regional variations.

Items such as toothpaste, shampoo, moisturiser, lip gloss, and contact lens solution all count as liquids or gels and must comply with the 100 ml rule. Solid deodorant and bar soap do not count.

Electronics

Laptops, tablets, cameras, e-readers, and portable gaming devices are permitted in carry-on baggage on all major airlines. At many airports — including all TSA-screened checkpoints in the United States — passengers must remove laptops and large electronics from bags and place them in a separate tray for X-ray screening. The threshold is generally devices larger than a standard paperback book.

Smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries is banned from the hold by most major airlines; the battery must be removed and carried on if you intend to check the bag. Airlines including American, Delta, United, and British Airways published policies to this effect following IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations guidance.

Food

Solid food — sandwiches, fruit, nuts, chocolate, crackers — is generally permitted through security checkpoints in the US, EU, and UK without restriction. TSA classifies solid food as distinct from LAGs and applies no quantity limit.

Liquid or gel foods — soup in a flask, yoghurt, hummus, jam, peanut butter, honey — are treated as liquids and must comply with the 100 ml rule. TSA specifically lists peanut butter and creamy dips as subject to LAGs restrictions at the checkpoint.

Baby food and formula are exempt from the 100 ml rule in reasonable quantities for the duration of the flight; passengers must declare these items at the checkpoint. Screening procedures vary: some airports X-ray or test liquid baby food separately.

Medication

Liquid prescription medication in quantities exceeding 100 ml is permitted in carry-on under both TSA and EU rules, provided it is declared at the checkpoint and accompanied by documentation — typically the original prescription label or a letter from a treating physician.

Needles and syringes are permitted when associated with a documented medical need. Inhalers, insulin pens, and EpiPens are all permitted in the cabin without quantity restrictions. See the medication guide for detailed rules by medication type.

Lithium batteries

See the full lithium battery guide for Wh thresholds, airline-by-airline limits, and rules for e-bike and e-scooter batteries.

Sharp objects

Bladed items — knives, box cutters, multi-tools with blades, Swiss army knives — are prohibited from the cabin by all major aviation security authorities including TSA, the UK CAA, and under EU Regulation 2015/1998. These items must be packed in checked baggage.

Scissors with blades under 6 cm are permitted by TSA in carry-on. Nail clippers and tweezers are generally allowed. Disposable razors (with the blade enclosed in a plastic housing) are permitted; straight razors are not. See the sharp objects guide for a full item-by-authority comparison.

Size and weight limits

Carry-on size and weight limits are set by individual airlines, not by security regulators. IATA recommends a maximum carry-on dimension of 55 × 40 × 20 cm (21.5 × 15.75 × 7.9 in), including handles and wheels. This recommendation is published in IATA's Cabin OK programme but is not universally adopted.

Low-cost carriers commonly apply stricter limits. Ryanair, for example, allows a small bag (40 × 20 × 25 cm) free and charges for a larger cabin bag. Always verify against the specific airline's baggage policy before travelling, as these policies update frequently.