Flying soon? Know the new 'one handbag' rule for passengers (2024)

FAQs

Flying soon? Know the new 'one handbag' rule for passengers? ›

To reduce the congestion at airports amid the COVID-19 pandemic across the country, all domestic airports have been advised to implement the “one handbag rule.” This has come after passengers were found carrying more than one piece of cabin luggage, overwhelming security check-in counters at the airports.

Passengers will now be able to carry just one handbag, apart from a list of exemptions detailed in the circular notified by BCAS. The move has been taken in order to reduce congestion at airports and also improve the time needed for security checks.

In most instances, if your bag will fit comfortably under the seat in front of you, it will be considered a personal item. Therefore, small backpacks or handbags are usually considered to be a personal item. However, be sure to check your airline's restrictions before you travel to the airport.

Most airlines allow passengers to bring on both a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack, laptop bag, purse, briefcase, shopping bag, etc. The general rule of thumb is that your personal item is smaller in dimension than your carry-on bag and it can fit underneath the seat in front of you.

Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too. The key to remember is it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you. A carry-on is a type of hand luggage that you bring into the plane cabin with you and is larger than a personal item.

Many airlines will allow you to bring a carry-on bag and personal item for free. However, some airlines may only allow a personal item that fits under your seat for free. Anything larger (e.g. a bag that's too big to fit under the seat but can fit into the overhead compartment) may require extra payment.

A carry on bag is your larger, primary bag, which you'll stow in the overhead bin. A backpack can be your carry on if it meets your airline's carry on size limits. A personal item is a smaller, secondary bag, which you'll stow under the seat in front of you.

A personal item is a smaller bag that you're allowed to bring onto the aeroplane in addition to your carry-on bag. It's typically a purse, backpack, or laptop bag that fits under the seat in front of you. In order to distinguish a carry-on from personal items, it's mostly about the sizes.

Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

If your carry-on is too large – or too overstuffed – you might get stopped at the gate before boarding. Sometimes flight attendants will have to tag your bag and send it off to be stowed with checked luggage.

Can Crossbody bags be worn as shoulder bags? ›

All of our cross-body bags can be worn as shoulder bags if you wish to switch up your look. However, wearing your bag across your body comes with extra safety benefits, and is a more hands-free option, as shoulder bags often need to be readjusted.

While personal item size restrictions vary across airlines, most airlines consider a small backpack, purse, briefcase, or laptop bag to be a personal item. These must always fit under the seat in front of you. Many airlines restrict passengers to one personal item and one carry on bag.

While these sizes vary by airline, a personal item will typically measure no more than 18 x 14 x 8 inches or 45 x 35 x 29 cm. If your bag does not fit within these dimensions, the airline will likely consider it your 'carry-on' bag and charge you accordingly.

The TSA's liquid limit for carry-ons—known as the 3-1-1 rule—allows travelers to pack liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes under 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in their carry-on bags. Passengers are allowed up to one quart-sized bag per person, or roughly nine 3.4-ounce containers in a single quart-sized bag.

The FAA has limited passengers flying within the United States to one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item. Personal items may include: handbags, briefcases, laptops, daypacks and small backpacks.

You are permitted to bring solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items as such lipstick, lip balm and similar solids. Please remember these items must be solid and not liquid, gel or aerosol. Only the items mentioned above are permitted in your carry-on bags.

Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

The TSA's liquid limit for carry-ons—known as the 3-1-1 rule—allows travelers to pack liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes under 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in their carry-on bags. Passengers are allowed up to one quart-sized bag per person, or roughly nine 3.4-ounce containers in a single quart-sized bag.

On domestic flights within the United States, a carry-on bag that's smaller than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (45 linear inches), including handles and wheels, will meet the size restrictions of all major airlines, such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines.

American Airlines overweight baggage is considered any bag weighing more than 50lbs. The fees for checking overweight baggage are $100 for bags weighing 51-70lbs and $200 for bags weighing 71-100lbs. These fees are charged in addition to any standard, excess or oversized baggage fees.