Baggage Advice
Hand (cabin) Baggage | Hold (checked-in) Baggage | General Baggage Information | HM Revenue & Customs, Defra and EU Restrictions | Delayed Lost & Damaged Baggage | Lost Property
Hand (cabin) Baggage
Check with the Airline
Passengers should check booking conditions for airline or holiday company baggage limits and restrictions. eg: Flybe (baggage) | First Choice (baggage) | Inghams (baggage) | Thomas Cook (baggage) | Thomson (baggage)
Security Search Area
At the Security Search Area passengers must be aware of the UK Government's 'Liquids' and Air Travel Hand Baggage Rules together with the rules on Dangerous and Restricted Items.
View the Videos: Prepare for Check-in and Prepare for Security Search
Liquids Restrictions
-
'Liquids' containers must hold no more than 100ml (3.4 fl oz)
-
'Liquids' containers must be carried in a single (one per passenger), transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than one litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm
-
'Liquids' contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed
-
'Liquids' bags must be presented for examination at the airport security point
-
'Liquids' containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines) will not be allowed through the security point even if they are only part full.
Items defined as 'Liquids'
- all drinks, including water, soup and syrups
- cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lipsticks
- sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants
- pastes, including toothpaste
- gels, including hair and shower gel
- contact lens solution
- any other solutions and items of similar consistency
- lighters are considered to be liquids and should be put inside the plastic bag or screened separately.
- one lighter per person may be carried on a flight and it must kept on the the person throughout the flight. It is must not be placed it in hold baggage or hand baggage after screening
Essential medicines, including inhalers and liquid dietary foodstuffs
Passengers are allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in hand baggage for the journey but supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg a letter from your doctor or prescription) will be required. Larger supplies of medicine should go in hold baggage.
Baby food and baby milk
Passengers are allowed to carry baby food, baby milk and sterilised water of more than 100ml in hand baggage for the journey but the adult carrying the baby food or milk may be asked to verify it by tasting.
Liquids bought at the airport
Passengers can take into the aircraft cabin any liquids bought after passing through the security searchg area, as these items go through a separate screening process. This includes bottled water, wines and spirits and fragrances and cosmetics of any size.
Passenger cabin prohibited articles
Items defined as Dangerous and Restricted Items are not permitted through the Security Search Area or into the Aircraft Passenger Cabin. These include, but are not limited to:
-
Objects capable, or appearing capable, of discharging a projectile or causing injury
-
Sharp objects capable of causing injury
-
Blunt instruments capable of causing injury
-
Explosives and flammable substances which pose a risk to the health or property
-
Chemical and toxic substances which poses a risk to the health or property
Hand Baggage size/weight
The DfT maximum size for Hand Baggage is: 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. However, passengers should check the airline's size and weight restrictions.
Laptops/electrical items
Passengers are allowed to take electrical items (such as laptops and hairdryers) in your hand baggage but they will need to be removed and screened separately.
Other items
Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are usually permitted in the cabin, but will be security screened.
Oversized items
Any item of hand baggage larger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm will not be allowed in the aircraft cabin. It must be checked in as hold baggage, with the exception of musical instruments.
Musical instruments
Musical instruments which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage
size will be normally be allowed as a second item of cabin baggage. Larger
instruments are also permitted but passengers should check with the
airline as special arrangements need to be made, such as buying an extra seat.
Hold (checked-in) Baggage
Dangerous and Restricted Items are not permitted on board the aircraft. These include, but are not limited to:
-
Explosives, detonators and fuses
-
Gasses (butane, propane, acetylene)
-
Flammable liquid (petrol, lighter fluid, alcohol, ethanol)
-
Flammable solids and reactive substances (magnesium, firelighters, fireworks, flares)
-
Oxidisers and organic peroxides (bleach, car body repair kits)
-
Toxic or infectious substances (poison, infected blood, bacteria, viruses)
-
Radioactive material (medicinal or commercial isotopes)
-
Corrosives (mercury and vehicle batteries)
Check with the Airline
Passengers should check booking conditions for airline or holiday company baggage limits and restrictions. eg: Flybe (baggage) | First Choice (baggage) | Inghams (baggage) | Thomas Cook (baggage) | Thomson (baggage)
Maximum Baggage Weight
Maximum Baggage Weight limits generally restrict individual items to 32kgs (30kgs with flybe) and items above these weights will not be accepted at check-in. The load should be split between two bags if carrying more than this.
Over-Size Baggage
Over-Size Baggage (eg golf clubs, surf boards, skis) cannot be guaranteed carriage without prior notice and may be subject to a charge at check-in.
Outbound items will be tagged at check-in and must be deposited at the over-size baggage belt in the Departures channel.
Inbound items will be available at the over-size zone in baggage re-claim.
Pushchair & Child Buggy procedures are detailed in the Baby & Child section.
General Baggage Information
-
Passengers must comply with all Baggage Regulations above.
-
Hold Baggage should be strong and fit for purpose as it will be handled, manually and mechanically, many times between Check-in and Baggage Reclaim.
-
Pack medication for use on the journey in hand baggage and carry a letter from your doctor.
- Do not pack money, jewellery and other valuable items in Hold (checked-in) Baggage.
-
Electrical items, aerosols and gas hair curlers, without refills, should be placed in Hold (checked-in) Baggage.
-
Never carry anything onto an aircraft for other people.
-
Airport Baggage Tags will be issues at check-in but baggage labels are not usually issued by the airline.
- Passengers' own labels should not display the home address. For identification in an emergency, name and home address, should be placed inside baggage.
- Baggage should be securely locked at all times.
- Do not leave baggage or personal belongings unattended in or around the airport.
HM Revenue & Customs, Defra and EU Restrictions
- Passengers travelling to an EU country should be aware of the ban on fresh meat, meat products, fresh milk or milk products. Baby milk can be circulated freely within the European Union but in other countries products may be confiscated.
- Passengers do not have to pay any tax or duty in the UK on goods bought tax paid in other EU countries which are for their own use but Customs Officers may question travellers with large quantities of alcohol or tobacco.
- Passengers travelling to the UK from outside the EU you are entitled to a lower allowance. Please check with HM Revenue & Customs for details of all allowances into the country.
- Passengers should be aware of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) rules and their campaign DON'T BRING ME BACK!
Delayed, Lost & Damaged Baggage
Once checked-in the airline is liable for the damage, delayed or mishandled baggage under the Montreal Convention. Passengers must report an incident at the baggage reclaim area of the arrival airport and a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) should be completed. Air Transport Users Council and the UK European Consumer Centre (Air Travel) offer information about baggage problems and making claims.
Lost Property
Lost property items which have been found in the airport terminal or items handed in from airlines (other than Flybe tel: 0871 700 5000) may be collected from the Lost Property Office at the following times: Mon – Fri 8am – 4pm | Sat 10am - 2pm
tel: 01392 354 909 email: Lost Property
If leaving a telephone voice message, please note that if we are unable to match the item, it is the airport’s policy to take no further action.
