Baggage Guidelines

03.11.2006 Effective date: 0200 on Monday 6th November 2006

The UK Department for Transport (DFT), the European Union (EU) (including Switzerland), Egypt and Tunisia (effective 1st April 2007) have adopted new security rules that will allow a restricted amount of liquids within hand baggage through security search points as long as specific restrictions can be met.

These revised restrictions will be implemented by all Airports regardless of their destination for customers departing from the EU including the UK and in addition Norway, Iceland and Switzerland and for those passengers departing from Egypt and Tunisia.

Customers are asked to arrive at the airport in plenty time to allow for the changes in the new security rules.

View a PDF diagram of the new security guidelines here.

Within your hand baggage you can carry:

Small quantities of liquids only if:

• They are in individual container(s) no larger than 100millilitres (3.5 fluid oz).

• The container(s) are carried within one transparent re-sealable or zip-top plastic bag with a capacity not exceeding 20cm x 20 cm or 8 inches x 8 inches or one litre capacity. Customers will be responsible for providing their own re-sealable plastic bag.

• The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably, are easily visible, are not packed on top of each other and the bag is completely closed.
  
  

Liquids include:

• Water and other drinks, soups, syrups
• Creams, lotions and oils
• Perfumes
• Sprays
• Gels, including hair and shower gels
• Contents of pressurised containers, including shaving foam, other foams and deodorants
• Pastes, including toothpaste
• Liquid-solid mixtures
• Mascara
• Any other item of similar consistency.

The plastic bag must be removed from hand baggage, prior to the airport security search point as it will be screened separately.

Any customers with liquids in containers of more than 100ml or unable to meet the detailed restrictions will be required to pack them in their hold baggage.

One small lighter may now be carried through security search points, the lighter container will form part of the liquid allowance within the re-sealable plastic bag. It can either be placed inside the bag or handed separately for screening. It is very important that customers do not place the lighter into their cabin bag after screening and must be carried on their person for the duration of the flight for safety reasons. Please note there remains a total embargo of the carriage of cigarette lighters to/from the USA. Additionally lighters and matches should not be packed in hold luggage under any circumstances.

Within your hand baggage you can still carry:

• Electronic equipment including mobile phones, laptops digital cameras and MP3 players (such as i-Pods). NB: Any large electrical items including laptops will be subject to additional examination and screening and need to be removed from hand baggage prior to the security search point.

 

• Prescription medicines in liquid form e.g. diabetic kit, as long as verified as authentic (if it is in a container with a capacity of no more than 100mls it should be placed in the plastic bag).

• Baby milk, liquid baby food or special dietary requirement food stuff in liquid form and essential for the trip (the contents of each bottle or jar must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) however should NOT be included within the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.

• A musical instrument if it can fit within the one piece of hand baggage, if not it will be allowed to be carried as a separate item within the carry case as long as it only contains the instrument itself and no other items.

• Customers departing from the UK are restricted to one piece of hand baggage per person.

Pushchairs, walking aids and wheelchairs are permitted and will be subject to x-ray screening.

At the security search point customers will be asked to remove their coats & jackets for x-ray screening, selected customers will be asked to remove their shoes for screening.

Customers travelling to the USA may be subject to secondary searching at the boarding gate.

Restrictions after the Airport Security Search Point

Once in the departure lounge customers may purchase any item including liquids in any store and take it onto the aircraft as normal, flights to the US are no longer subject to separate restrictions.

Additionally liquids and gels purchased in the departures area, including Duty Free items are now permitted on departing flights and may be sealed in a special sealed bag, do not open it before you are screened or if you are transiting flights within the EU otherwise the contents may be confiscated at the security search point.

Travelling from an EU Airport and transiting in the UK with hand baggage:

The same restrictions apply to all transiting customers, additionally where liquids have been purchased on an EU airline, or beyond the security search point at an EU Airport, they must be in a sealed bag with proof of purchase. It is recommended it is not opened before screening at your transit airport.

Travelling from a Non EU Airport to the UK with hand baggage:

Currently at this time there are no restrictions known to Thomson Airways on the carriage of liquids in hand baggage to the UK from outside the EU with the exception of flights from the USA however locally imposed restrictions may apply.

Travelling from a Non EU Airport and transiting in the UK with hand baggage:

Currently at this time there are no restrictions known to Thomson Airways on the carriage of liquids in hand baggage to the UK from outside the EU with the exception of flights from the USA, however locally imposed restrictions may apply. Customers who have travelled from outside the EU through the UK will NOT be able to carry liquid in their hand baggage through the passenger security search points in the UK.

Travelling from the USA to the UK

Customers are also subject to liquid and gel restrictions at security checkpoints into departure areas.

• One clear transparent re-sealable 1 quart (1 litre) size plastic bag containing liquids, gels and /or aerosols.
• In containers (90ml) capacity or less per container are now allowed.
• The contents of the plastic bag must fit comfortably and must be completely closed/sealed and subjected to x-ray inspection from any carry on bag.

If any of the items below do not fit into the closed sealed transparent bag and/or are over the 3oz (90ml) limit it should be declared to the security personnel at the security search point.

• Baby formula/milk and baby food in containers if a baby or small child is travelling
• Medications
• Liquids or gels for diabetic or other medical needs

Customers may be subjected to secondary screening if they enter the security checkpoint with liquids, gels, and/or their person or in their carry on bag.

To guarantee maximum safety, NO scissors, knives or blades, or dangerous goods of any kind are allowed in the aircraft cabin.

Cigarette lighters should be carried on your person and never placed in hold luggage however there is a total embargo of cigarette lighters from the USA.

Useful websites for customers to refer to are below:

Department for Transport: www.dft.gov.uk
British Airports Authority www.baa.co.uk

What am I permitted to carry in my hand baggage?

From 0200 on Monday the 6th November you are permitted to carry in your hand baggage small quantities of liquids. These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. You must pack these containers in one closed transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than 20x20x20 or 8" x 8" or one litre capacity; you will need to supply the bag. It is important not to overfill the bag and that the contents fit comfortably. Any prescription medicine in liquid form e.g. diabetic kit if in containers of 100ml's or less should be packed in the re-sealable plastic bag. Baby milk, liquid baby food or special dietary requirement food stuff in liquid form and essential for the flight can be carried in your hand baggage however should NOT be included within the transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.

What type of liquids can I now take in my hand luggage?

In addition to prescription medicine in liquid form e.g. diabetic kit, baby milk, liquid baby food or special dietary requirement food stuff in liquid form and essential for the flight (all of which will be subject to proof of verification) liquids up to a maximum of 100 millilitres per container can be carried, the definition of liquids is broad and can include the following gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures e.g. lipstick, mascara and the contents of pressurised containers e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols etc.

What should I do if the containers of liquids are larger than 100mls?

You will need to pack these in your hold luggage.

Can I carry the transparent re-sealable bag in addition to my one piece of hand baggage?

No, it must be included within your one piece of hand baggage however you will need to remove prior to the security search point for examination and screening.

Am I restricted to the amount of hand baggage I can take on board?

Yes, if you are travelling from the UK you are restricted to one piece of hand baggage per person with maximum dimensions of 55 cm x 40 cm x 20cm and up to 10kgs.

Is special dietary food in liquid form allowed for adults?

Yes, if it is essential for the trip.

What is a trip?

It is not just a flight but also the duration of the visit.

Do I have to pack special dietary food, baby milk in the plastic re sealable bag?

No, they should be packed separately in your hand baggage.

What about liquid medicines, should I pack them in the plastic re-sealable bag?

If the essential liquid medicine is in a container with a capacity of no more than 100mls it should be placed in the plastic bag. If it is not placed there or is larger than 100mls it will be subject to the verification procedures laid out by the DFT.

Are children, including babes in arms allowed their own plastic bag of liquids?

Yes

What if the plastic bag is not sealable of damaged?

It is not acceptable.

Will the position on liquids be reviewed?

All measures remain under review.

Are these new arrangements going to stay for some time?

These measures are EU requirements.