Hand luggage is understood as those objects that the passenger can transport with him in the aircraft cabin during the flight, as long as they comply with the security measures established according to the regulations on prohibited objects and their exceptions for specific cases, and that for their nature or size, they do not need to be checked in as baggage at the check-in counters, under the provisions of your ticket with the airline.

Regulations, weight and measurements

Carry-on baggage can be made up to two pieces – a personal item such as a purse or laptop, and one piece of luggage or carry-on bag – that must fit within the sample baggage size meter located at check-in counters from the airport, not being able to exceed -unless the company specifies otherwise- in any of the following measurements: 22″ long x 14″ wide x 9″ high.

Some low-cost airlines reduce hand luggage to a single small piece of luggage that has to fit under the front seat, having to pay or buy a more expensive ticket to board the second (larger) piece of luggage in the cabin or having to invoice it, sometimes free of charge, at the check-in counter. Check with your airline.

The airline establishes the maximum hand luggage weight per passenger, usually between 7 and 10 kilos. Check the limits with your airline because if your hand luggage exceeds the weight -or size- established by the company, you must check in the excess kilos as baggage (or as excess baggage if your checked baggage was already within the limit). Allowed weight).

This is especially important when your ticket does not include the option of travelling with checked luggage (low-cost companies). Overweight rates at the airport are the most expensive.

As an exception, you can get authorisation at the check-in counter for items that exceed the stipulated measurements but are too fragile or valuable due to their condition to travel as carry-on baggage. In this case, go to the check-in counter in time, as the decision will depend on the airline.

Try to board in your hand luggage -and as far as possible-all fragile objects, valuables (money -up to €10,000 in cash and in total-, jewellery, electronic items, etc.), medicines, documents, keys, etc., since not all companies accept responsibility for these objects. The airline is only responsible if your hand luggage and personal belongings suffer damage due to the airline’s fault or any of its dependents or agents.

Security controls

Following aviation security regulations, before accessing the restricted airport security areas – boarding gates and exclusive passenger areas – hand luggage will be scanned (subject to examination by an X-ray machine). It may be inspected by security agents at checkpoints if so required. In control, liquids that do not comply with the liquid regulations will be removed: bottles or bottles of water and soft drinks (empty reusable plastic bottles are accepted).

If you travel with your laptop, you may be required to remove it from your bag or briefcase and start it for verification.

Attention

Any object prohibited in the hand luggage may be removed by security personnel or required to check in, as long as your authorisation is not available for exceptional circumstances by the airport security department. Even then, it is not transported in the required security conditions. Security personnel may also deny access to the boarding area and aircraft cabin to any passenger possessing an object that arouses suspicion, even if it is not listed on the list of prohibited things.

All passengers who access the boarding area must also go through a security control through metal detector arches, so they must empty their pockets, get rid of any metal object, both clothing and personal items, and deposit them in some trays that are provided for this purpose so that they can be scanned.

If you are travelling in boots or high heels, you must also remove your shoes so that the shoes can be scanned together with your carry-on baggage. In the same security control areas, there are plastic bags to cover your feet and avoid having to walk barefoot.

Passengers who test positive when passing through the metal arches will be subject to manual control by a security agent of the same sex. Passengers may also be subject to random manual screening after passing through the metal arches.

For security reasons, taking pictures or recording the controls is not allowed.

Finally, remember:

Before packing your hand luggage, take into account that passengers are not authorised to introduce, either in the security zone or in the aircraft cabin, those items that constitute a risk to the health of passengers and crew, as well as to the safety of the aircraft and its assets. Consult the regulations on prohibited objects and their exceptions for specific cases.

Ensure that the items you carry are not restricted from entering the destination country.

If you have forgotten any object at the airport (departure lounges, security controls, etc.), you must contact the lost and found office and claim it as soon as possible.

Consult the airport baggage collection and delivery service

For your safety and that of other passengers, do not check in or carry any baggage belonging to unknown persons with you.