Hand baggage
- Tips for hand baggage
- What is permitted in your hand baggage? What is not?
- Your hand baggage and safety
What you are permitted to take with you in your hand baggage depends on your airline and flight ticket. So check the conditions on your ticket carefully or ask your airline or travel agency.
Your hand baggage
- Must fit into the overhead baggage compartment on the plane.
- May not be larger than 55 x 40 x 20 cm. Don’t forget to include the wheels, handle or luggage carrier.
In addition, you may usually bring a handbag.
Preferably place the following items into your hand baggage and not in the hold baggage. That way, you always have them to hand:
- Valuables, such as money or jewellery
- Important documents, prescriptions or medication
Liquids and gels (such as . shower gel, perfume, shaving foam, toothpaste ...) are only permitted:
- in a container with a maximum volume of 100 ml;
- which are packed in a transparent, resealable plastic bac (max. 1L capacity);
- only 1 bag is allowed per passenger.
It is best to prepare your liquid bag before arriving at Brussels Airport. Don't have a plastic bag with you? No problem! There are free plastic bags available before you go through Security.
Baby milk and baby food are both permitted in your hand baggage. You may bring as much as your baby requires for during the flight.
Please note! Security may ask you to taste the food to prove that it is, indeed, baby food.
Products that you purchased in the airport shops, bars or restaurants after security screening are permitted on board.
It is strictly forbidden to carry the following items in your hand baggage:
- Firearms: such as pistols, revolvers or replicas
- Sharp and pointed objects, such as scissors, axes, knives and arrows
- Blunt instruments, such as golf clubs, clubs and knuckle dusters.
- View here the complete list of prohibited hand baggage items
Selfie sticks and e-cigarettes? These are permitted in your hand baggage.
Pay special attention to your electronic devices.
Devices operating on lithium batteries: in the cabin
Portable electronic devices operating on lithium batteries should preferably be taken with you into the cabin. Either carry them with you or place them into your hand baggage. This enables the crew to intervene quickly should an incident occur with such a device.
Check the exact rules about devices operating on lithium batteries with your airline.
Portable electronics: additional rules on flights to the US and Canada
If you are flying to the US or Canada, additional rules pertaining to portable electronic devices apply. Electronic devices are examined for signs of tampering. Electronic devices that are larger than a mobile phone, or smartphones with a protective cover must be removed from their cover for examination. If the cover cannot be removed, the device will not be permitted on board. Electronic devices that are the size of a mobile phone or smartphone must be turned on and powered up to demonstrate that they function. If that is not possible, then the device will not be permitted on board.
Please note! Hoverboards are not normally permitted on board. Neither in the hand baggage, nor in the hold baggage! Always check the information on hazardous goods from your airline beforehand.
- Are you a passenger with reduced mobility (PRM)?
Your fully foldable wheelchair or crutches are permitted on board. - Travelling with very young children?
Foldable strollers are permitted on board.
Always check your airline’s terms and conditions
- Ensure that the exterior of each suitcase bears a label displaying your name at a minimum.
- Also place your name and address inside your suitcase as an additional precaution.
This makes your suitcase easy to identify should you lose it.
Keep your baggage with you at all times. Baggage that is left unattended in the airport building will be removed and potentially destroyed.