MANY people will be thinking about their next trip abroad now that we’re in the early days of 2024.
Anyone dreaming of jetting off for a few days in the sun needs to be aware of a major change to the rules surrounding your hand luggage.
UK airports are ditching the ban on liquids over 100ml.
Passengers will be able to carry drinks, make up and liquids up to two litres in their hand luggage for the first time in 16 years.
Since 2006, travellers could only carry liquids up to a maximum of 100ml on board a flight and this had to be packed in a clear resealable bag.
This rule is being removed though thanks to 3D scanners at airport security being brought in and major airports across the UK have been given a deadline of June 2024 to implement the new technology.
The new scanners also mean that travellers will no longer need to place liquids into a clear, plastic bag.
But until the changes come into play, anyone catching a flight from the UK will have to comply with current rules on liquids.
Despite the removal of the large liquids ban, other hand luggage restrictions will remain in place, including a ban on sharp objects.
It’s not just drinks that are banned either, there are also restrictions on certain food items at security.
However, there are a number of other hand luggage rules which any traveller should be aware of, such as weight allowance, limits on size as well as hand luggage rules.
Anyone breaking these rules could be faced with a stiff fine, getting their break off to a bad start.
Here’s the key information you need to know about regarding some of the key airlines operating in the UK.
Ryanair
All Ryanair passengers can bring a small personal bag on board but this must fit under the seat in front of you.
It must be no bigger than 40cm x 20cm x 25cm.
All over-sized cabin bags will be refused at the boarding gate, or where available put in the hold for a fee.
Anyone wanting to bring another bag, you’ll need to upgrade and pay extra for priority and two cabin bags or checked baggage.
EasyJet
The budget airline allows each person to bring a small cabin bag on board.
It can be no larger than 45cm x 36cm x 20cm, this includes any handles or wheels, and it needs to be able to fit under the seat in front of you.
The bag can weigh up to 15kg but easyJet says you must be able to lift and carry it yourself.
Any bag larger than the limit, or any additional bags will be put in the hold and you’ll have to pay an airport bag fee.
Jet2
Passengers can also bring on board one piece of hand luggage when flying with Jet2, free of charge.
It must not weigh more than 10kg and can’t be any bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, including any wheels and handles.
If your hand luggage is larger or weighs more, it will have to be put into the aircraft’s hold, which might incur an additional charge.
Travellers can also bring a small, personal item on board with them, such as a handbag, laptop case or a purchase made at the airport, but this has to be placed underneath the seat in front of you.
British Airways
All British Airways passengers can carry one piece of hand luggage and one small item on board.
The hand luggage must not be bigger than 56cm x 45cm x 25cm while the small item cannot exceed 40cm x 30cm x15cm.
TUI
People flying with TUI can bring on board one piece of hand luggage, weighing no more than 10kg for free.
It must be no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm and you must be able to lift your hand luggage into an overhead storage compartment by yourself.
Items such as laptops, handbags and any item bought at the airport must be small enough to be stored under your seat.
Wizz Air
Wizz Air passengers can only take a small cabin bag for free onto the plane.
Bags must be no more than 10kg, and measure no more than 40cm x 30cm x 20cm.
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This does not include the wheels or handles, but these must add no more than 5cm to the bag.
It also must fit underneath the seat in front, so is likely to be a laptop bag or small backpack.
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