Items banned from hand luggage on Ryanair and Aer Lingus planes as holidaymakers urged to take note

Jul 25, 2023

Amid Ireland's peak holiday season, some budget-conscious travellers are opting to pack only hand luggage to cut costs. However, passengers must be aware of banned items as airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus have strict rules while airport security measures have grown more stringent.

Ireland is at the peak of holiday season, with thousands of people jetting off every week to bask in some summer sun.

However, the ongoing cost of living crisis means some holidaymakers are trying to cut costs in any way possible.

One popular travel hack involves passengers choosing to pack everything into their hand luggage for free, rather than paying to check in baggage.

Before doing this, travellers should take note of what they can and can't bring into airports and onboard planes. Airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus have a long list of items banned from their planes.

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Upon arrival at the airport, one of the first steps is passing through security check.

As part of air transport security measures, travellers are not allowed to bring certain items into a restricted area of an Irish airport or on board a plane leaving an EU airport. This is because these items have the potential to be used as weapons.

The rules about air transport security are in place internationally and have become more stringent in recent years.

Citizens Information states that passengers can't bring the following items into restricted areas of an airport or on board a plane:

Projectile-firing weapons

Stunning devices designed specifically to stun or immobilise

Sharp items

Trade tools

Blunt instruments

Explosives and incendiary substances and devices

The items listed above will be confiscated and may be consigned to the hold of the plane. When on duty, flight crew are allowed to keep certain items, such as cutlery, if they are essential for in-flight duties.

Citizens Information explains: "There are restrictions in operation throughout the EU, which limit the amount of liquids in carry-on hand luggage. You can only take small quantities of liquids in hand luggage. Those liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml each. The liquids must be packed in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag that is not more than 1 litre in capacity."

Liquids include the following items:

"You may still pack liquids in luggage that you check in, these restrictions only apply to hand luggage. You can also carry any medicines and dietary requirements (including baby foods and baby milk) for use during the trip in your hand luggage. However, you may be asked for proof of authenticity.

"You may also buy liquids (such as drinks and perfumes) either in an EU shop beyond the point where you show your boarding pass or on board a plane operated by an EU airline. If these items are sold in a special sealed bag - don't open the bag before you are screened, as the contents may be confiscated at the checkpoint."

Before boarding a flight, hand baggage will be scanned and checked by security staff.

Citizens Information says: "Have your laptop and any other electrical devices ready to place in trays at the airport security point. It is also advisable to have all your devices fully charged before you travel. If you’re not sure what you can bring, check with your airline to see which electronic devices and electrical equipment are allowed on board.

"Never carry packages with unidentified contents on behalf of other people. If you are asked to do so, you should contact the airport police, customs or member of staff immediately.

"Your checked baggage will be screened by security prior to loading. Airline liability can be reduced for both checked and unchecked baggage if your baggage was:

Below is a 2023 list of items that you can’t take in your hand luggage on certain airlines:

A Ryanair spokesperson said: “You must not carry any of the following items in checked-in luggage or carry-on baggage, or go through security with them on you (for example in your pockets).

“Any item which could be a danger to the plane, people or property, including the following:

Explosives and substances and devices capable of, or appearing to be capable of, causing serious injury or posing a threat to the safety of the plane, including, detonators and fuses, replica or imitation explosive devices, mines and grenades

Gas and gas containers

Flammable liquids

Flammable solids and substances that cause a chemical reaction

Fireworks, flares, smoke-generating canisters or cartridges, and other pyrotechnics

Paint, turpentine, white spirit and paint thinner

Alcohol with an ABV of more than 70% (140% proof)

Chemicals, toxic substances or infectious substances (for example, acids and alkalis, ‘wet’ batteries, bleach, tear gas, animal-repellent sprays, poisons, infected blood, and bacteria and viruses)

Radioactive material, including medicinal or commercial isotopes

Corrosives, including mercury, vehicle batteries, and parts which have contained fuel

More than one litre in total of edible oil (for example, olive oil)

Lithium ion battery-powered vehicles (including segways and hoverboards) other than any wheelchair or mobility equipment that meets our regulations

Lithium ion battery-powered devices that exceed 160 watt hours

Smart bags which the lithium battery has not been removed from

Guns, firearms, ammunition and weapons, whether real or imitations, including, starting pistols, toy guns or recreational guns (such as paint ball guns), nail guns, bows, slingshots, catapults, harpoon guns, stun guns, tasers, cattle prods and lasers

Parts of firearms (except for sighting devices and sights)

Fire extinguishers (except as authorised by fire procedures and as emergency equipment on the plane)

Lighters and firelighters

Christmas crackers

Energy-saving light bulbs

Items with internal combustion engines."

An Aer Lingus spokesperson said: “Banned, restricted and dangerous goods are articles or substances capable of posing a risk to health, safety, property or the environment. If you wish to travel with any such goods or materials, please be aware of the restrictions or steps you may have to take to travel on one of our flights.”

They provided the following list of prohibited items in both checked in and carry on bags.

Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles-devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury by discharging a projectile, including:

firearms of all types, such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns,

toy guns, replicas and imitation firearms capable of being mistaken for real weapons, component parts of firearms, excluding telescopic sights,

compressed air and CO2 guns, such as pistols, pellet guns, rifles and ball bearing guns,

signal flare pistols and starter pistols, - bows, cross bows and arrows,

harpoon guns and spear guns,

slingshots and catapults;S

Stunning devices - devices designed specifically to stun or immobilise, including:

devices for shocking, such as stun guns, tasers and stun batons,

animal stunners and animal killers,

disabling and incapacitating chemicals, gases and sprays, such as mace, pepper sprays, capsicum sprays, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays;

Objects with a sharp point or sharp edge -objects with a sharp point or sharp edge capable of being used to cause serious injury, including:

items designed for chopping, such as axes, hatchets and cleavers,

ice axes and ice picks,

razor blades,

box cutters,

knives with blades of more than 6 cm,

scissors with blades of more than 6 cm as measured from the fulcrum,

martial arts equipment with a sharp point or sharp edge,

swords and sabres;

Workmen's tools-tools capable of being used either to cause serious injury or to threaten the safety of aircraft, including:

crowbars,

drills and drill bits, including cordless portable power drills,

tools with a blade or a shaft of more than 6 cm capable of use as a weapon, such as screwdrivers and chisels,

saws, including cordless portable power saws,

blowtorches,

bolt guns and nail guns;

Blunt instruments-objects capable of being used to cause serious injury when used to hit, including:

baseball and softball bats,

clubs and batons, such as billy clubs, blackjacks and night sticks,

martial arts equipment;

Explosives and incendiary substances and devices-explosives and incendiary substances and devices capable, or appearing capable, of being used to cause serious injury or to pose a threat to the safety of aircraft, including:

ammunition,

blasting caps,

detonators and fuses,

replica or imitation explosive devices,

mines, grenades and other explosive military stores,

fireworks and other pyrotechnics,

smoke-generating canisters and smoke-generating cartridges,

dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives.

Aer Lingus added: "Segways are strictly prohibited both as checked or cabin baggage aboard Aer Lingus aircraft. Segways are small two wheeled motorised vehicle used as a convenient mode of transport. There are many names and brand names associated with such vehicles - Segway's, Swagway's, Swegway's, Mini Swegway's 'Hoverboards' etc. All such vehicles are strictly prohibited.

"Electric bicycles may only be carried if the battery is removed and will then be checked in as a normal bicycle and the rules above will apply.

"Electric Scooters are not permitted for carriage unless the scooter is being used as a genuine mobility device. Passengers will have to provide a doctor's letter confirming a genuine need for this. If a scooter's battery is non-removable it will be secured safely on the aircraft. If the scooter cannot be secured in the cargo hold it will be carried in the cabin.

"Aer Lingus has been advised that the U.S. Department of Transportation has issued an emergency order banning all Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone devices from air transportation in the United States and Canada. Passengers who own or possess a Samsung Galaxy Note7 device may not transport the device on their person, in carry-on baggage, or in checked baggage on flights to, from, or within the United States.

"As directed by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), if you are flying to the U.S., there is a limit on the quantity of powder substances (eg. flour, sugar, coffee, spices, powdered milk or cosmetics) you may take in your cabin baggage. Passengers who wish to take more than 350g/350ml/12oz of powder substances to the US, must pack them into their checked baggage."

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