Wednesday 18 September 2013


While frequent fliers tend to be well aware of the airline travel restrictions that they need to comply to, most people who do not travel by air as often are often confused by the different air travel restrictions prescribed. This is mainly because travel restrictions for European countries may be very different from American airline travel restrictions. While there are some prescribed restrictions as listed out by the United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA), these are followed by just a group of countries.

Airline Travel Carry on Restrictions

Most passengers tend to have queries about what they are allowed to carry on the plane in the form of hand baggage and checked baggage. What can I take on a plane, is a question that is very commonly asked by passengers. While there are differing rules and airline travel restrictions for different carriers, there are some common regulations as prescribed by the TSA.

One of the main international airline travel restrictions concerns the size of the luggage you are carrying. Airline travel size restrictions where carry on luggage is concerned are very strict. Specified in inches, these airline carry on size restrictions impose certain limits on the height, width and length of the luggage you are carrying, which is generally a 22 x 14 x 9 inches restriction. When packing your hand baggage, remember to pack only those things that you consider absolutely essential like your wallet, medication (if important), books for reading, etc. There are some items that are categorized as personal items and therefore, allowed on board as carry on luggage. These include cameras, laptops, bag for carry on liquids, gaming consoles, umbrellas, etc.

There are very strict air travel restrictions on the liquids you can carry with you as hand baggage. Airline carry on liquid rules specify that liquids and gels can be carried on an airline only in limited quantities. According to the guideline set by the TSA, in order to reduce the time you spend in security it is advisable to follow what is known as the 3-1-1 rule. This rule specifies that passengers can carry liquids or gels in bottles or containers that measure up to 3 ounce in volume or less. These containers and bottles can be placed in one quart sized bag and every passenger is allowed one bag per screening bin. If need be, then beverages can be bought at the terminal after security check. Where airline travel restrictions regarding liquids are concerned, there are some exceptions. These exemptions are made for things like breast milk and juices for infants, prescribed medications, life support necessities, etc. These items need to be declared at security check in order to be allowed through. If you want to know more about airline travel food restrictions, you should know that most food items should be packed in with checked luggage. While cakes and pies can be carried through security check, remember that these will be put through extra screening and checks.

Carry on restrictions are relaxed in case of disabilities, but information of the same needs to be passed on to security as soon as possible. In case someone traveling with you or you use a wheelchair, then it will need to be examined before being allowed on board the airline. All mobility aids undergo a similar checking procedure for proper passenger safety. In case of implants it is again important that you pass on the information to the officials at security check so that there are no hurdles of any sort. For proper airport security it is important that you volunteer information to the security personnel to avoid any sort of misunderstanding or delay at a later stage. This is extremely important where air travel restrictions are concerned.

Restricted Items in Hold Baggage

The air travel restrictions on luggage that can be carried in checked baggage differs from airline to airline, but there are some common items that are not allowed. A list of those items on which airline travel luggage restrictions apply is given below.
  • Blasting cap
  • Dynamite
  • Fireworks
  • Flares
  • Hand grenades
  • Plastic explosives
  • Replicas of explosive
  • Aerosol (only in limited quantities)
  • Fuels
  • Gasoline
  • Gas torches
  • Lighters with fuel
  • Torch lighters
  • Match boxes
  • Flammable paints
  • Turpentine and paint thinner
  • Chlorine for pools and spas
  • Small compressed gas cartridges
  • Fire extinguishers and other compressed gas cylinders
  • Liquid bleach
  • Batteries that can spill
  • Spray paint
  • Tear gas
  • Vehicle airbags
  • Gel-type candles
  • Gel shoe inserts
  • Non-flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint
  • Flammable liquid, gel, or aerosol paint
  • Snow globes and other similar decorations
  • Guns (differs according to regulations of the airline)
Following proper air travel tips will ensure that your trip does not turn into a security nightmare. Keep in mind all the airline travel restrictions and pack accordingly to ensure that you are not hauled up at the airport for not following proper rules and regulations. Update yourself regarding airline travel restrictions in 2010 beforehand as it is possible that regulations are changed depending on security concerns.

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