Hand baggage stipulations
What you are permitted to take with you in your hand baggage depends on your airline and flight ticket. So check the conditions on your ticket carefully or ask your airline or travel agency.
Your hand baggage
- Must fit into the overhead baggage compartment on the plane.
- May not be larger than 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Don’t forget to include the wheels, handle or luggage carrier.
In addition, you may usually bring a handbag.
Tips for hand baggage
Preferably place the following items into your hand baggage and not in the hold baggage. That way, you always have them to hand:
- Valuables, such as money or jewellery
- Important documents, prescriptions or medication
Your hand baggage and safety
For safety reasons, the amount of liquids and gels that you are permitted to carry in your hand baggage is strictly limited.
Liquids and gels
The following liquids and gels are permitted.
- Containers of up to 100 ml in a transparent, resealable plastic bag with a total capacity of up to 1 litre.
- Liquids that you purchased in the airport shops. Purchased liquids are packaged in a special sealed bag. You are only permitted to open these at your destination.
Read more information on liquids and gels.
Baby food
Baby milk and baby food are both permitted in your hand baggage. You may bring as much as your baby requires for during the flight.
Please note! Security may ask you to taste the food to prove that it is, indeed, baby food.
Products purchased after security
Products that you purchased in the airport shops, bars or restaurants after security screening are permitted on board.
Not permitted in your hand baggage
It is strictly forbidden to carry the following items in your hand baggage.
- Firearms: such as pistols, revolvers or replicas
- Sharp and pointed objects, such as scissors, axes, knives and arrows
- Blunt instruments, such as golf clubs, clubs and knuckle dusters
View the complete list of prohibited hand baggage items
Selfie sticks and e-cigarettes? These are permitted in your hand baggage.
Portable electronic devices
Pay special attention to your electronic devices.
Portable electronics: additional rules on flights to the US and Canada
if you are flying to the US or Canada, additional rules pertaining to portable electronic devices apply.
- Electronic devices are examined for signs of tampering.
- Electronic devices that are larger than a mobile phone, or smartphones with a protective cover must be removed from their cover for examination. If the cover cannot be removed, the device will not be permitted on board.
- Electronic devices that are the size of a mobile phone or smartphone must be turned on and powered up to demonstrate that they function. If that is not possible, then the device will not be permitted on board.
Devices operating on lithium batteries: in the cabin
Portable electronic devices operating on lithium batteries should preferably be taken with you into the cabin. Either carry them with you or place them into your hand baggage. This enables the crew to intervene quickly should an incident occur with such a device.
Check the exact rules pertaining to devices operating on lithium batteries with your airline.
Please note! Hoverboards are not normally permitted on board. Neither in the hand baggage, nor in the hold baggage! Always check the information on hazardous goods from your airline beforehand.
Wheelchair or pushchairs as hand baggage?
- Are you a passenger with reduced mobility (PRM)?
Your fully foldable wheelchair or crutches are permitted on board.
- Travelling with very young children?
Foldable strollers are permitted on board.
Always check your airline’s terms and conditions
Label your baggage
- Ensure that the exterior of each suitcase bears a label displaying your name at a minimum.
- Also place your name and address inside your suitcase as an additional precaution.
This makes your suitcase easy to identify should you lose it.
Keep your baggage with you at all times. Baggage that is left unattended in the airport building will be removed and potentially destroyed.
