British Airways

Hoverboard

Not accepted as checked or cabin baggage.

E-cigarette / Vape

Permitted in cabin baggage only; not permitted in checked bags due to battery risk.

Drone

DJI-style drone batteries (often 99Wh) accepted in cabin; remove from drone body if checking the frame.

Laptop

No current restrictions; must be removed from bag at security screening.

Cannabis / marijuana

No airline permits cannabis in any form regardless of local law at origin or destination.

Dry ice

Max 2.5kg permitted with vented packaging.

Smart luggage (built-in battery)

Smart bags with non-removable batteries cannot be checked; battery must come out for hold.

Perfume / Cologne

Standard 100ml cabin rule applies; bottles over 100ml must go in hold.

Golf clubs

Golf equipment up to 23kg included within checked baggage allowance if you have a bag allowance.

Ski poles

Ski poles checked as part of ski equipment; one ski bag counts as one item.

Firearms

Only accepted on certain routes with advance written permission; strict regulations apply.

Knife

Knives of any blade length are banned from cabin baggage on virtually all carriers worldwide.

Medication

Liquid medicines over 100ml permitted in cabin with a valid prescription or pharmacist's letter.

Insulin

Insulin allowed in cabin without quantity restriction; keep in original packaging.

CPAP machine

Counted as a carry-on item unless a medical certificate is provided.

Scissors

Scissors with blades over 6cm (measured from the pivot) are banned from cabins on all major airlines.

Multi-tool (Leatherman, Swiss Army knife)

Multi-tools with a blade (e.g., Leatherman) are banned from cabin baggage on all major carriers.

Screwdriver

Tools including screwdrivers must be in checked baggage to comply with UK CAA regulations.

Hammer

Hammers are classified as blunt weapons and are banned from cabin baggage on all major carriers.

Spirits / Liquor

Spirits between 24–70% ABV in checked bags, max 5L; above 70% ABV is prohibited entirely.

Aerosol spray (hairspray, deodorant)

Non-flammable aerosols up to 500ml permitted in hold; flammable aerosols such as hairspray limited to 500ml per container.

Hairspray

Treated as a flammable aerosol; up to 500ml in hold, 100ml in cabin within the liquids bag.

Nail polish remover

Acetone (100% strength) is prohibited; diluted nail polish remover up to 100ml is allowed in cabin.

Safety matches

One book of safety matches permitted in cabin; strike-anywhere matches are banned entirely.

Fireworks / Flares

Fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics are classified as explosives and are banned on all airlines in both cabin and hold.

Bicycle pump

Manual pumps are permitted; CO₂ cartridges must be empty and valves open to show they are discharged.

Musical instrument

Musical instruments count as your cabin bag allowance if they fit; oversized instruments need pre-arranged booking.

Syringes

Hypodermic syringes allowed in cabin for medical use; written confirmation from a medical practitioner recommended.

Snow globe

Snow globes with more liquid than a tennis ball are not allowed in cabin; check any sizeable globe.

Disposable razor

Disposable cartridge razors are universally permitted in both cabin and hold baggage.

Safety razor

Safety razor handles are permitted in carry-on, but the blades must be removed and placed in checked baggage.

Camping stove

Empty and clean stoves with no fuel residue may be carried in hold; any trace of fuel means the item is refused.

Camping stove fuel

Camping fuel (gas canisters, liquid fuel bottles) is prohibited as a flammable hazardous material on all commercial airlines.

Breast milk

Breast milk is exempt from the 100ml rule; carry as much as is reasonable for the journey.

Baby formula / Breast milk

Baby formula in any quantity permitted in cabin; no container size restriction applies.

Walking cane / Crutches

Mobility aids including walking canes are carried free of charge and do not count as carry-on.

Curling iron

Gas-powered curlers with a fuel cartridge attached are permitted in cabin only; spare canisters are not accepted.

Extension cord

Extension cords are allowed in hold and cabin; cabin security may query multi-socket extensions — pack in hold to avoid delays.

Travel iron

Travel irons permitted in checked baggage; steam irons should have water emptied before packing.

Binoculars

Binoculars are universally permitted in both cabin and checked baggage with no restrictions.

Tablet / iPad

No cabin restrictions; remove from bag at UK security screening.

Camera

Cameras and lenses allowed in cabin; high-speed film should be declared to avoid damage from hold X-ray equipment.

vape

Allowed in cabin bag only; not permitted in hold due to battery risk.

Glucose monitor / insulin pump

Permitted in cabin; CGM wearers should inform security that the device cannot be removed and request a pat-down instead.

Spray deodorant

Deodorant aerosols up to 500ml in hold; cabin limit is 100ml per container.

Mercury thermometer

Mercury thermometers are prohibited on all commercial flights due to the toxicity and spill risk of mercury.

Candles

Regular wax candles are permitted in hold and cabin; gel candles may be flagged as a flammable liquid.

Pepper spray / Mace

Prohibited in both cabin and hold on British Airways flights.

Razor / Razor blades

Loose razor blades are prohibited in cabin baggage on all carriers; they must be in checked luggage.

Knitting needles

Knitting needles are allowed in cabin; the final decision rests with the security officer.

CBD oil

CBD oil up to 100ml is permitted in cabin if it contains less than 0.2% THC and meets UK legal standards.

Bluetooth speaker

Bluetooth speakers with lithium batteries are permitted in cabin and hold; larger batteries (over 100Wh) in the battery may need to stay in carry-on.

Toy gun

Realistic-looking toy guns are not permitted in cabin; check them in hold to avoid issues.

Camera tripod

Mini tripods can be taken in cabin; larger tripods should be placed in checked baggage.

Empty water bottle

Empty reusable water bottles are permitted in cabin on all airlines; fill after security at the airport.

Electric kettle

Allowed in hold or cabin; no restrictions beyond normal bag size rules.

Taser / Stun gun

Tasers and stun guns are banned from cabin baggage on all commercial airlines.

Ammunition

Only accepted on routes where firearms transport is pre-approved; subject to strict quantity and packaging rules.

Hair dryer

Hair dryers are universally permitted in both cabin and checked baggage with no restrictions.

Hair straightener / flat iron

Electric hair straighteners are permitted in cabin and hold; ensure they are cool before packing.

Electric shaver

Electric shavers are permitted in cabin and hold; lithium batteries inside the shaver are treated as a device battery.

Nail clippers

Nail clippers are permitted in cabin baggage on virtually all airlines as they have a very short cutting edge.

Tweezers

Tweezers are permitted in carry-on baggage on all major airlines.

Lip balm

Lip balm in stick or pot form is permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines without restriction.

Travel adapter / plug

Travel adapters are permitted in cabin and hold with no restrictions on any major airline.

Wet wipes / baby wipes

Wet wipes are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines without restriction.

Safety pins

Safety pins are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines.

Sewing needles

Sewing needles are permitted in carry-on and hold on most airlines; the final decision lies with the security officer.

Fishing hooks

Permitted in cabin and hold if securely stored; security officers may require them to be checked if deemed unsafe.

Compass

Compasses are permitted in both cabin and checked baggage on all airlines.

Hiking boots

Hiking boots are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines; count toward your baggage weight allowance.

Ski boots

Accepted in checked baggage; ski boots packed with a ski bag count as one sports item.

Protein powder / Supplements

Powders over 350ml in carry-on may receive additional screening at UK airports; placing in hold avoids delays.

Smartphone

Smartphones are permitted in cabin on all airlines; spare lithium batteries or power banks must also be in cabin, not hold.

Contact lens solution

Medically essential contact lens solution over 100ml may be carried in cabin with a pharmacist's or doctor's letter.

Hand sanitizer

Standard 100ml limit in cabin; larger bottles should be in hold.

Water / Drinks

Sealed bottled water purchased before security cannot be taken through; buy after security or carry an empty bottle to fill post-security.

Fresh fruit

Fruit is generally permitted on the aircraft, but destination country biosecurity rules govern what can be brought off the plane.

Shampoo

Subject to the standard 100ml liquids rule in cabin on all major carriers.

Toothpaste

Subject to the 100ml liquids rule in cabin on all major airlines; larger tubes must be in hold.

Hand cream / moisturiser

Subject to the 100ml liquids/gels rule in carry-on on all major airlines.

Electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines; the lithium battery inside is treated as a device battery.