luggage restrictions - heathrow airport

[ehogan]

I have heard that carry-on luggage at Heathrow airport is restricted to ONE bag that fits the dimension requirement (22x18x10 inches) and that means that purses or laptops are not allowed as an additional item.

 

Can anyone who has travelled recently confirm this? Is this perhaps a British Airlines policy or does it cover all airlines flying in/out of Heathrow?

[belle907]

I have heard that carry-on luggage at Heathrow airport is restricted to ONE bag that fits the dimension requirement (22x18x10 inches) and that means that purses or laptops are not allowed as an additional item.

 

Can anyone who has travelled recently confirm this? Is this perhaps a British Airlines policy or does it cover all airlines flying in/out of Heathrow?

When did you hear about this policy?

I just copied this from the Heathrow site regarding carry-on's:

 

BAA travel advice to passengers - cabin baggage

 

04 January 2008

BAA has today urged passengers to double-check airline baggage policies before travelling to its airports once new Government baggage rules come into effect on Monday 7 January.

From Monday, the one-bag restriction will be lifted at six of BAA's seven UK airports (detailed below), with Gatwick following early in 2008. However, a number of airlines will continue to restrict the number of bags which can be carried in to the cabin.

A spokesman for BAA said: "We will be helping to advertise the changes in Government baggage restrictions at our airports, but it is important that passengers check with their airline before travelling as carriers have different policies governing the number of items of hand baggage which may be taken in to the aircraft cabin. To help passengers further, we will also be asking airlines to ensure that passengers clearly understand airline baggage policies at the check-in points, before they pass through security."

At Gatwick Airport, significant engineering works are underway, which will allow the restriction to be lifted in the near future. As part of a phased approach, from 7 January, passengers connecting flights through Gatwick’s South Terminal will be able to travel with more than one piece of hand bag if their airline allows. This will also apply for passengers on connecting flights only via the North Terminal from 11 February.

 

For specific information on baggage restrictions at your airport, please use the links below:

Heathrow Airport

Gatwick Airport

Stansted Airport

Southampton Airport

Glasgow Airport

Edinburgh Airport

Aberdeen Airport

Further information:

Damon Hunt, BAA Limited, on 0208 745 7224

Notes to editors:

The Department for Transport has approved new security arrangements at Heathrow, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Southampton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is the information from the BA site:

 

Hand baggage

 

The UK Department for Transport has given approval to a number of UK airports to remove the one-bag restriction on hand baggage. As a result British Airways has re-introduced its two-piece hand baggage allowance for passengers departing from the following airports:

 

• London Heathrow
  
• London Gatwick
  
• London City
  
• Aberdeen
  
• Edinburgh
  
• Glasgow
  
• Jersey from 1 April 2008
  
• Manchester
  
• Newcastle

The following allowances apply for all passengers entering the UK or departing from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London City, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, Manchester and Newcastle:

 

• one standard-sized bag - maximum size of the bag must not exceed 56x45x25cm (22x17.5x9.85in) (including wheels, pockets and handles)
  
• In addition, one laptop sized bag, handbag or briefcase
  
• A 23kg(51lbs) maximum bag weight applies and you must be able to lift the bag into the overhead lockers in the aircraft cabin unaided.

NB. Cabin crew will assist customers with additional needs.

[ehogan]

 

I got this info from the website below, today, and I had heard of the one bag restriction somewhere on the cruise critic board, but I prefer your link- it looks like they are deferring to the individual airlines, so I will check with Air Canada.

 

Thanks for your help.

http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

 

Heathrow Airport Security Information

 

 

[/url]

London Heathrow Security Checks

 

Enhanced security measures means that checking in can take longer than it used to. It is advised that you arrive at the airport in plenty of time:

• International flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
  
• European flights - check in 2 hours prior to departure
  
• Domestic flights - check in 1 hour prior to departure

Hand Luggage - New Security Measures.

 

Passengers are requested to be patient while additional security measures are in place, allow extra time for their journey and be prepared for possible delays.

 

On 6th November new security measures came into effect for all passengers departing from UK airports.

Cabin baggage and size allowed

 

• ONE item of hand baggage is allowed; dimensions: 56 centimetres long [approximately 22 inches], 45 centimetres high [approximately 17.5 inches], 25 centimetres deep [approximately 9.85 inches] including wheels, handles, side pocket.
  
• All items of luggage which do not fit in the permitted cabin baggage size must be checked in to be placed in the aircraft hold

[belle907]

ehogan, now I see the difference in your message and mine Your message is dated November 6th and the updated message that I have is dated January 4, 2008.

[heathermk57]

I have heard that carry-on luggage at Heathrow airport is restricted to ONE bag that fits the dimension requirement (22x18x10 inches) and that means that purses or laptops are not allowed as an additional item.

 

Can anyone who has travelled recently confirm this? Is this perhaps a British Airlines policy or does it cover all airlines flying in/out of Heathrow?

 

Don't forget that if you have any liquids (or pastes, such as toothpaste, make-up etc) in your hand luggage they must be in a clear, sealable plastic bag, in containers no bigger than 100ml - not to total more than 1lt - and scanned through security in the tray. They have plastic bags of the correct size at the airport if you need them.

[GSPLover]

Early June, 2007, the ONE carry-on bag rule went into effect for all airlines in the European Union. Do not believe that it is just one airport.

[leenie29]

http://www.heathrowairport.com/portal/controller/dispatcher.jsp?ChPath=Heathrow^General^Airport%20information^Security%20control&securityCountryGUID=fd2cb7b277c35110VgnVCM10000036821c0a____#

 

Security information

See what you can carry as hand baggage for flights departing from Heathrow.

 

 

 

Standard security rules

 

Hand baggage

Prohibited items

Travelling with liquids

Shopping at the airport

New cabin baggage rules - check with your airline before you fly.

At Heathrow Airport passengers may now carry more than one item of hand baggage through security. But you should check hand baggage allowances with your airline before arriving at the airport, as the weight and size of hand baggage allowances differ between airlines. Some airlines may allow you to carry one item only. Whatever the number of items, each must be no larger than 56cm tall, 45cm wide and 25cm deep.

Heightened security measures remain in force at all UK airports. We're doing everything we can to minimise delays caused by these measures, which are designed for your protection. We appreciate your patience and understanding and in the meantime we advise you to arrive early and allow plenty of time for security screening.

Hand baggage restrictions

Cabin baggage must be no larger than:

 

56cm (22in) tall

45cm (17.7in) wide

25cm (10in) deep

 

You should also check with your airline, as some operate further limits on bag size.

All items carried will be X-ray screened.

• You no longer need to remove your laptop from your bag at Heathrow Airport.
  
• Put all small items like keys, coins, mobile phones into your coat or hand baggage and place these into a tray.
  
• Place your hand baggage into the tray.
  
• If you have liquids in containers of 100ml or less, you can put these into a clear resealable bag. These items should be placed alongside other items in your tray.
  
• Pushchairs and walking aids will be X-ray screened.
  
• Wheelchairs will be thoroughly searched.

To save time, we advise you to place only valuables and items you need for the flight into your hand baggage.

 

Travelling with liquids - 100ml rule

Only limited quantities of liquids may be carried through security control as hand baggage. This includes bottled drinks, suntan lotion, fragrances, cosmetics and toiletries.

 

The following restrictions apply to all liquids, creams, gels, pastes and aerosols taken through security control:

• Liquid items may only be carried in containers holding up to 100ml.
  
• They must be carried separately in a single transparent, re-sealable plastic bag.
  
• The bag must be no larger than 20cm x 20cm (8in x 8in) and all items must fit inside so that it closes properly.
  
• At security control the bag must be placed separately on the conveyor belt for screening.
  
• Liquid items larger than 100ml should be packed in your hold luggage - otherwise they will be confiscated.
  
• Exceptions to the 100ml rule can be made for baby food or milk. However, you should only carry what you need for the flight, and you may be asked to taste these items at security control.
  
• Exceptions may also be made for medicines. However, you may be asked to taste any liquid medicines, or to provide evidence (such as a doctor's letter) that you need them for your journey.

Prohibited items

Sharp or pointed items must not be carried in hand baggage and will be confiscated at security control. This includes knives, scissors, razor blades, cutlery, tools, hiking poles, hypodermic needles (unless medical necessity can be proved), catapults, corkscrews, toy or replica guns, sporting bats or cues and darts.

 

Please note party poppers, crackers, cigarette lighters and non-safety matches may not be carried. However, you can carry one cigarette lighter on your person.

 

 

Shopping at the airport

 

Anything you buy after security control can be taken on board the aircraft, including bottled water, wines and spirits, fragrances and cosmetics in sizes over 100ml.

 

[belle907]

Early June, 2007, the ONE carry-on bag rule went into effect for all airlines in the European Union. Do not believe that it is just one airport.

The rules changed for some airports and some airlines Jan. 2008.

[Globaliser]

I have heard that carry-on luggage at Heathrow airport is restricted to ONE bag that fits the dimension requirement (22x18x10 inches) and that means that purses or laptops are not allowed as an additional item.

 

Can anyone who has travelled recently confirm this? Is this perhaps a British Airlines policy or does it cover all airlines flying in/out of Heathrow?

The key points are these:-

• The one-bag rule at the security checkpoint is no longer being applied at Heathrow airport (or the vast majority of UK airports). It is history. So far as the airport is concerned, you can take two or more carry-on bags through the security checkpoint.
• However, every bag must still conform to the stated size limit. That is 56 cm x 45 cm x 25 cm. It is not 22 in x 18 in x 10 in. The actual limit is more like 22.0 in x 17.7 in x 9.8 in. This is important. The sizers are built with solid sides. And in March, a friend was refused at Gatwick because the bag was ½ an inch too long in one dimension.
• Your airline may have a more restrictive limit. If so, you must observe that.
• The liquids rule is in full force. There are many tears shed by passengers at security checkpoints over this. I have seen that myself.

Early June, 2007, the ONE carry-on bag rule went into effect for all airlines in the European Union. Do not believe that it is just one airport.

This isn't correct. Very few EU countries ever adopted a one-bag rule. And that was a major part of the London-based airlines' complaint at the UK government: They were measurably losing business to competitors offering connections at other European airports.

[GSPLover]

Thanks to all for the updates. My wife will be happy to hear about them.