✈️🧳What’s in my cabin bag? What are the Cabin bag rules?
Everyday items – Electronics – Medical – Food & Drink – Sports Equipment – Work tools – Children’s hand luggage – Special Items & Common Mistakes – July 25 Update
Planning a flight? Then it’s time to master the art of cabin bag packing! Your ultimate guide to cabin bag rules, updated for 2025
Once you’ve checked the size and weight limits for your hand luggage (which can vary wildly between airlines and airports), the next step is knowing exactly what you’re allowed to bring on board. 📦
🚫 Not every bag labelled “TSA” or “airline approved” is actually the right size — always check your airline’s specific measurements and measure yourself. 💡✋
We’re happy to share a cabin bag brand we genuinely trust: Gomatic. When they say “cabin-friendly,” they mean it — built to last a lifetime, designed smart, and perfect for carry-on only travel. 🧳✨ See their made-to-last travel items here.
👉 Always double-check your airline’s latest cabin bag rules – especially around liquids, electronics, and personal items. These can vary by airline, destination, and even departure airport.
🧰 Everyday Items
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
| Corkscrew | ❌ No |
| Spoon | ✅ Yes |
| Knife (sharp/fixed blade > 6 cm) | ❌ No |
| Folding blade knife | ❌ No |
| Knife & open razor blades | ❌ No |
| Scissors (blades ≤ 6 cm) | ✅ Yes |
| Scissors (blades > 6 cm) | ❌ No |
| Umbrella | ✅ Yes |
| Wheelchair | ✅ Yes |
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
| Scissors with round points | ✅ Yes |
| Disposable razor blades | ✅ Yes |
| Nail file | ✅ Yes |
| Nail clipper | ✅ Yes |
| Tweezers | ✅ Yes |
| Knitting & sewing needles | ✅ Yes |
| Lighter | ❌ No* (only 1 allowed on your person) |
| Safety matches | ✅ Yes |
| Cane / walking aid | ✅ Yes |
| Contact lens liquid (≤ 100ml) | ✅ Yes |
💡 Tip: Any sharp objects in hand luggage may be confiscated—even if they’re technically allowed—so pack with caution!
📱 Electronics
Most UK airports now ask that electronic devices can be powered on at security. In some locations with upgraded scanners, you might no longer need to remove them from your bag — but always check your airport’s current rules.
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
| Laptop | ✅ Yes |
| Tablet | ✅ Yes |
| MP3 player | ✅ Yes |
| Hairdryer / Straighteners | ✅ Yes |
| Camera & accessories | ✅ Yes |
| Travel iron | ✅ Yes |
| Electric razor | ✅ Yes |
| Power bank | ✅ Yes (carry-on only!) |
🔋 Make sure everything is charged before you go—especially if your boarding pass is on your phone!
💊 Medicines & Medical Equipment
You’re allowed to bring essential medical items, but there are rules for liquids:
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
|---|---|
| Cooling gel packs | ✅ Yes |
| Medical equipment | ✅ Yes |
| Tablets & capsules | ✅ Yes |
| Syrups & liquid medicine (≤ 100 ml) | ✅ Yes |
| Hypodermic syringes | ✅ Yes |
| Inhalers | ✅ Yes |
| Bottled oxygen | 🛑 Contact airline directly |
| Scalpels | ❌ No |
🩺 Always carry medicines in original packaging and bring a doctor’s note!
✈️ Travelling with Controlled Drugs
If your medication is classed as a controlled drug in either the UK or your destination country (e.g. morphine, diazepam, or some ADHD medications), you may need:
- A doctor’s letter stating what the medication is, how much you’re carrying, and why you need it
- A personal licence from the UK Home Office if carrying more than a 3-month supply
- Some countries require advance approval or ban these medications completely — always check well before travel.
📌 Check with your GP and the UK Government website before travelling with any medicine that might be restricted.
🍎 Food & Drink Items
Here’s what you can and can’t bring in your cabin bag — and what’s allowed after security from airport shops.
| Item | Before Security | After Security (Bought Airside) |
|---|---|---|
| Drinks (e.g. water, juice, tea) | ❌ Not allowed (over 100ml) | ✅ Yes |
| Jams, syrups, honey | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Soft/spreadable cheese | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Yoghurt, soup, sauces, oils | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Sandwiches (non-liquid fillings) | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Hard cheese | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Dried fruit | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Nuts | ✅ Allowed (*but check airline allergy policies) | ✅ Yes |
| Chocolate bars & biscuits | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Crisps or crackers | ✅ Allowed | ✅ Yes |
| Hot food (e.g. wraps, pasties) | ❌ Not allowed if hot | ✅ Yes |
🧠 Remember: Liquid and soft foods over 100 ml are only allowed if purchased after security. Bring your own snacks, but buy your drinks and spreadables once you’re through! Be mindful of others—especially on nut-restricted flights.
🏸 Sports Equipment
Many sports items are classed as potential weapons and must go in the hold, sometimes with additional charges as “oversized”:
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
|---|---|
| Sports parachute | ✅ Yes |
| Tennis racquets | ✅ Yes |
| Snooker/pool cues | ✅ Yes |
| Fishing rods | ✅ Yes |
| Golf clubs, bats, darts | ❌ No |
| Hiking stick, ice skates | ❌ No |
| Martial arts gear, javelins | ❌ No |
| Diving gear | 🛑 Contact airline directly |
🛠️ Work Tools & DIY Equipment
In almost all cases, tools must go in your checked luggage:
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
|---|---|
| Screwdrivers, knives > 6 cm | ❌ No |
| Drills & accessories | ❌ No |
| Professional blades or saws | ❌ No |
| Cutting mats | ❌ No |
| Hammer, machete | ❌ No |
| Aerosol paints, solvents | ❌ No |
👶 What to Pack in Children’s Hand Luggage
| Item | Permitted on Board? |
|---|---|
| Pushchair | ✅ Yes |
| Baby milk (any form) | ✅ Yes |
| Sterile water in bottle | ✅ Yes |
| Baby food | ✅ Yes |
🍼 Baby items are exempt from 100 ml rules in most cases, but be prepared to taste or open them at security.
❌ Special Items & Common Mistakes
- Camping tents (with poles and pegs) → Must go in the hold
- Candles → Not allowed in hand luggage (they’re classed as liquids!)
- Hair dye/peroxide → Banned as hazardous chemical
- Christmas crackers, Snow globes, fireworks, bang snaps → Completely banned
🚫 If it can start a fire, explode, or poke someone’s eye out, it’s best left at home.
🔄 July 2025 Update: UK Liquid Rules Are Changing!
Some UK airports have now installed CT security scanners, changing how you can carry liquids and electronics:
🛫 Airports allowing up to 2 litres of liquid (no clear bag required):
- Edinburgh, Birmingham
🛫 Airports with CT scanners but still enforcing 100 ml limit:
- Bristol, Gatwick, Luton, Newcastle, Southend, Teesside, Leeds Bradford
🛫 Airports still using standard rules:
- Most others (e.g. Heathrow, Manchester, Stansted) still require liquids under 100 ml in a clear resealable bag.
⚠️ Always check your departure and arrival airport before you travel—rules may differ both ways.
🧳 Whether you’re heading off on a weekend city break or a long-haul adventure, knowing the cabin bag rules can save you time, stress, and unexpected binning at security!
✈️ Ready to travel smarter?
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