United Airlines: Items Prohibited in Carry-On Baggage
Here is a non-exhaustive list of items prohibited in the cabin:
– Firearms and imitations
– Paralyzing devices (e.g. tear gas)
– Knives or scissors with a blade exceeding 6 cm
– DIY tools (ex: drill)
– Blunt objects (baseball bat, skateboard, sticks)
– Explosive or incendiary substances and imitations such as fireworks or smoke bombs
liquids, aerosols, gels and pastes in containers of more than 100 ml (drinks, mineral water, soups, perfumes, lotions, creams, shower gels, shampoos, toothpaste, liquid soaps, deodorants, etc.)
Things to take with you in the cabin
Your passport
Your ESTA declaration
Your electronic tickets (back)
The address and contact details of your hotel
Your electronic devices (laptop, camera)
Your fragile items (remember that suitcases are not always treated with the greatest care …)
To ensure the safety of passengers and staff of airports and airplanes, many items and products have been banned. Some cannot pass through the airport gates, others will have to be left at the boarding gate as they are refused on board, in the hold or in the cabin.
To prepare your luggage without stress, discover all the items prohibited on the plane.
Travel in complete safety, respect the standards
There are very strict regulations concerning the objects that can be placed in an aircraft, whether in the hold or in the cabin. The prohibited items are numerous, and the reasons differ: risk of explosions of certain consumables, prevention of any risky behavior on the part of a passenger, or risk of disruption of the flight. These prohibitions have a common goal: the safety of passages and of on-board personnel.
In order not to waste time checking your baggage, which will be emptied in the event of possession of prohibited items, or of risk of you being refused access on board a flight, it is important to pack your luggage respecting the rules. Here is a list of items prohibited in the cabin.
Items strictly prohibited in the cabin
When you prepare your hand baggage; make sure it does not contain:
– Sharp, sharp, blunt objects;
– Firearms;
– Ammunition or cartridges for firearms;
– All potentially explosive or flammable substances;
– Cosmetics or aerosol of more than 100 ml;
– Liquid toiletries (shower gel, shampoo, perfume, etc.) of more than 100 ml.
For these last two categories, it is possible to travel with small volumes (less than 100 ml), contained in small individual bottles and placed in a transparent plastic bag. If you do not have one, the staff checking your baggage may provide you with one, depending on which airport you are in.
To summarize, the items prohibited in the cabins are liquid products over 100ml, gels and anything that can act as a weapon.
It is better to adhere to this list so as not to waste time checking your cabin baggage, because you risk a complete search of your suitcase which can take some time. Painful, especially if you have tight timing. Be aware that the rigorous staff will not show any preferential treatment.
Items not to be put in checked baggage (going in the hold)
Apart from these items that are prohibited in the cabin, but accepted if they are in checked baggage, there are products that are totally prohibited on an aircraft, whether in the hold or in the cabin.
All objects that can explode: electrolyte battery, lighter, firecracker, matches, tear gas, distress rocket:
– Dummy weapons
– Lithium batteries
– All gas cylinders or diving, camping.
– Flammable products: varnish, paint, as well as chemicals such as fertilizers or weedkillers.
– Powerful cleaning fluids: bleach, thinner, acetone, chlorine, etc.
– Mercury thermometers and barometers
– Printer cartridges
– Poisons
Your baggage will be x-rayed during the various controls and you expose yourself to penalties in the event of non-compliance with these prohibitions.
However, it is possible that an item prohibited on an airplane will travel with you, under certain conditions.
Special cases and exemptions: firearms, animals and drugs
– Firearm, sharp object
Sometimes a passenger has to travel with a weapon, a pressure sportsman who practices shooting for example, a representative of a knife or saber, or in exceptional cases of this kind.
It is then possible to request an exemption from the airline with which you are traveling. You will have to follow the indicated procedure and your weapon can then be placed in the hold.
– The domestic animals
It is possible that your faithful 4-legged companion will follow you on your aerial journeys, under certain conditions. But be aware that he may not necessarily be able to sit in the cabin with you. Tolerance towards pets should be checked with each airline.
In any case, you will need to acquire an IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved transport case, which defines most of the world’s flight rules. In addition, remember to bring your animal’s vaccination certificate as well as its potential authorization to leave / enter the territory.
Of course, you will also have to pay, often depending on the weight of your animal, a ticket for your animal.
Note that in addition, certain breeds of dogs are not accepted on planes, depending on the company: United Airlines may or may not accept, for example, animals with snub noses (boxers, Persian cats, etc.), depending on the flight and travel destination.
– Medication
In general, liquid medicines and medical treatments not exceeding certain quantities (100ml) are authorized in the cabin. Capsules and tablets are also accepted on board, if legal.
However, in the case of more extensive medical treatment, requiring permanent assistance (oxygen, syringes, etc.), it is essential to check with the airline with which you are traveling, as the authorizations are not necessarily identical.
In addition, it should be noted that there is a notable difference between medicines authorized in the Schengen area and those authorized in the rest of the world. If you are undergoing continuous treatment and you are planning a long trip abroad, outside the Schengen zone, remember to find out about the legality and availability of your treatment on site.
– Items you wouldn’t have thought of
In the list of objects prohibited or authorized in the cabin or on the plane, there are certain incongruities that often make passengers smile. Here is a little anthology:
– It is forbidden to travel with cheese in the cabin, unless it is pasteurized.
– If almost all sports objects are prohibited in the cabin, know that you are allowed to take your parachute!
– Just as you can keep your umbrella …!
– Foie gras, for ethical reasons, is prohibited in the cabin in many countries!
– In the United States, Kinder Surprises are banned … authorities fear that a child could suffocate, and you could face a hefty fine if you attempt to carry your favorite chocolate egg in your carry-on.
– Ditto for curls with firecrackers, too bad for those who wish to export the magic of Christmas abroad.
Recommendations and tips to save time at the airport
You are now aware of the items prohibited in the cabin and on the plane, and you can prepare your luggage with confidence. It is reminded that all the information contained here is valid for the time being, but that it is subject to change at any time by the airlines. So stay informed when you get on your plane.
To avoid wasting time at the airport, we advise you to stick scrupulously to the authorized items. Attempting to pass a prohibited item will at best waste a few minutes in unnecessary discussions, at worst you will be fined. You might as well not take this risk and comply with the standards set by IATA.
Also note that you can carry an additional bag, free of charge, if these are purchases made in the duty-free area of the airport. You will be able to take bottles of wine, perfumes and other specialties from the area in which you are, without having to worry about the space in your baggage.