Cabin + hold — check off or print

Flight packing list

Flying comes with rules other holidays do not have: what may go in the cabin, what has to go in the hold, and what is not allowed at all. This list runs through both bags and says why each item belongs where.

Cabin bag — this always travels with you

0 of 29 packed

The rule: anything that makes your trip impossible or expensive if the suitcase does not arrive.

The liquids rule in short

Liquids in the cabin are limited to 100 ml per container, all together in one transparent resealable bag of at most one litre. It is the size printed on the container that counts, not how much is left: a half-empty 200 ml bottle gets taken.

Things that count as liquid but you might not expect: toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, sunscreen, mascara, lip gloss, gel and soft cheese. Powders and solid sticks do not count — a deodorant stick can travel loose.

Medication and baby food in the quantity you need en route are exempt. Declare them at security; a prescription or doctor’s note avoids discussion.

Some airports now have scanners that remove the need for the bag. Do not count on it: most places still apply the rule, and your return flight often leaves from an airport that does.

Cabin or hold?

The most confusing category: things people assume work the other way round.

CabinHoldWhy
Power bank / loose batteryRequiredBannedFire risk must be visible
E-cigaretteRequiredBannedSame reason
MedicationRecommendedAllowedSuitcases go missing
Scissors or pocket knifeBannedAllowedSharp object
Liquid over 100 mlBannedAllowedLiquids rule
Pointed umbrellaUsually notAllowedSecurity officer’s call
Loose razor bladesBannedAllowedSharp object
CorkscrewBannedAllowedContains a blade

Hold baggage

Weigh the suitcase at home. Paying at the desk often costs more than the flight.

Documents and at the airport

Two bags, one list

The hard part about flying is not what you bring but which bag it goes in. In PAKT you add this list to your trip and split it across cabin and hold.

Travelling with others? Assign each item, so the hairdryer travels once instead of three times.

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Everything in the right bag

Put this list into PAKT and split it across cabin and hold. Next flight you pick it right back up.

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Frequently asked questions

What is not allowed in cabin baggage?

Liquids over 100 ml per container, sharp objects such as scissors, pocket knives, loose razor blades and corkscrews, and lighters beyond the allowance. Conversely, power banks, loose lithium batteries and e-cigarettes must travel in the cabin and are banned from the hold — fire risk has to be visible.

How much liquid can I take on a plane?

Up to 100 ml per container, together in one transparent resealable bag of at most one litre. The printed size counts, not the contents: a half-empty 200 ml bottle is not allowed. Medication and baby food in the quantity needed are exempt; declare them at security.

Does toothpaste count as a liquid?

Yes. Toothpaste, roll-on deodorant, sunscreen, mascara, lip gloss, gel and even soft cheese count as liquids. Powders and solid sticks do not — a deodorant stick or bar of soap can travel loose.

What should go in your carry-on for a flight?

Anything that makes your trip impossible or expensive if the suitcase does not arrive: passport and boarding pass, wallet, phone with charger and power bank, medication for at least two days, glasses or lenses, and one complete change of clothes.

How heavy can my suitcase be?

It varies by airline and fare — usually 20 to 23 kilos for hold baggage and 7 to 10 for cabin, but budget carriers are stricter. Weigh it at home: paying at the desk often costs more than the flight, and the limits apply on the way back too.