Luggage

Everything you need to know about your hand and hold luggage

Luggage image

What do I need to know?

When packing your luggage there’s a few things you need to keep in mind.

  • Both your hand and hold (checked-in) luggage need to be below a certain weight and size. Check with your airline for more information.

  • Don’t wrap any gifts – security may need to unwrap them to examine.

  • Never pack anything or carry anything onto the plane that isn’t yours.

Prohibited items

For safety reasons, certain items can’t be taken onto a plane – don't pack the following in either your hand or hold luggage.

  • Flammable liquids and solids

  • Oxidisers such as bleaching powders

  • Organic peroxides

  • Tear gas devices or any gas cylinders

  • Infectious substances such as live virus materials

  • Wet-cell car batteries

  • Magnetrons

  • Instruments containing mercury

  • Instruments containing magnets

  • Fireworks and pyrotechnics

  • Non-safety matches

  • Fire lighters, lighter fuel, paints, thinners

  • Poisons, arsenic, cyanide, weedkiller

  • Radioactive materials, acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic soda

  • Creosote, quicklime, oiled paper

  • Vehicle fuel system components which have contained fuel

  • Ammunition, detonators, blasting caps, mines, grenades, and related equipment and any other explosives (ammunition may only be carried if the passengers has completed the necessary paperwork with their airline, and the Control Authorities are satisfied it may travel)

  • Smoke canisters and smoke cartridges

It’s also an offence to carry certain items onto the plane. Read through the full list.

Hand luggage

For more information about hand luggage and going through security, please see our dedicated Security page.

Hold luggage

If you plan to bring luggage that’s larger or heavier than normal, you’ll need to check it in separately from your hold bags.

Packing tips

To avoid bags becoming jammed on the conveyor belt, please make sure that:

  • All loose straps are tied up or removed

  • All flaps are securely fastened

  • Extendable handles are pushed down

  • Old tags and barcodes are removed

To spot your luggage easier on the belt, it’s also a good idea to:

  • Attach a name tag to your bag (add your address just in case someone else picks it up)

  • Tie a piece of ribbon or something brightly coloured to make it easier to spot