PREFLIGHTMATE GUIDE

What Can You Bring on a Plane? Carry-on Guide 2026

What can you bring on a plane? Power banks, liquids, perfume, cosmetics, medicine, food, electronics and sharp items - practical carry-on and checked-bag rules.

Why you can use this page to make a decision

This page combines a direct answer with airport, airline and primary-source rules. Safety answers are not influenced by partner content or advertising.

Verified2026-08-21

Sourceofficial primary sources

Answer scopesecurity screening + carriage rules

MethodologyPreflightMate Research Desk

Short answer

This guide answers specific “can I bring this on a plane?” questions. Each item has its own carry-on and checked-baggage answer, security notes and an official source. Rules are reviewed for 2026.

General rules are not always enough. Liquid limits and screening procedures can differ by airport, so check the airport you are actually flying from.

Most checked items before a flight

Direct answers to the questions travelers ask most often when packing carry-on and checked baggage.

WITH RESTRICTIONSpower bank on a planeCan you take a power bank on a plane? Check carry-on rules, Wh limits, quantity restrictions and why power banks must stay out of checked baggage.WITH RESTRICTIONSliquids in carry-on baggageHow much liquid can you take on a plane? Check the 100 ml rule, 1-litre bag, medicine and baby-food exemptions, and airport-specific limits.WITH RESTRICTIONSperfume in carry-onCan you bring perfume on a plane? Check carry-on container limits, checked-baggage rules and airport-specific liquid restrictions.WITH RESTRICTIONScosmetics in carry-onCream, gel, mascara, foundation, toothpaste and perfume - see which cosmetics count as liquids and what airport limit applies.WITH RESTRICTIONSdeodorant on a planeCan you bring deodorant on a plane? Rules for aerosol spray, roll-on and solid stick deodorants in carry-on baggage.WITH RESTRICTIONStoothpaste in carry-onToothpaste is treated as a liquid/paste at security. Check the 100 ml rule and airport-specific exceptions.YESmedicine on a planeHow to carry medicine on a plane: tablets, liquid medication, documentation, the 100 ml exemption and airport security.WITH RESTRICTIONSliquid medicine on a planeEssential liquid medicine can be exempt from the 100 ml limit. Check documentation, screening and departure-airport rules.WITH RESTRICTIONSinsulin on a planeHow to travel with insulin: liquid-medicine exemption, needles, documentation and airport-security screening.WITH RESTRICTIONSbaby food and milk on a planeBaby food and milk can be exempt from liquid limits when needed during the journey. Check screening rules and what security may ask for.YESfood on a planeSandwiches, fruit, yoghurt, honey and other food - see what passes security and which foods count as liquids.WITH RESTRICTIONSwater bottle on a planeCan you take water through airport security? Empty bottles, full bottles, liquid limits and airports with newer scanners.YESlaptop on a planeCan you bring a laptop on a plane? Carry-on, lithium battery rules, security screening and checked-baggage considerations.WITH RESTRICTIONSspare batteries on a planeSpare lithium batteries belong in carry-on baggage. Check Wh limits, terminal protection and airline restrictions.WITH RESTRICTIONSvape on a planeCan you bring a vape on a plane? Cabin-only battery rules, no use on board, and airline/destination restrictions.DEPENDSlighter on a planeLighter rules depend on type and carrier. Check where a small lighter may be carried and what must stay out of checked baggage.DEPENDSscissors on a planeCan you bring scissors on a plane? Check blade-length limits, carry-on vs checked baggage and security discretion.DEPENDSrazor on a planeCan you take a razor on a plane? The difference between disposable razors, electric shavers and loose razor blades.NOpocket knife on a planePocket knives and knives are restricted in the cabin. Check sharp-item rules, checked baggage and airport security.WITH RESTRICTIONSdrone on a planeHow to fly with a drone: the aircraft, spare lithium batteries, Wh limits, carry-on and airline-specific restrictions.WITH RESTRICTIONShairspray on a planeHairspray is an aerosol and follows liquid rules in the cabin. Check container limits and additional checked-baggage restrictions.WITH RESTRICTIONSduty-free liquids on a connecting flightDuty-free liquids can travel in a sealed security bag with proof of purchase. Check what happens if you pass security again during a connection.WITH RESTRICTIONScontact lens solution in carry-onContact lens solution is normally treated as a liquid at security. Check container size, liquid bag and the departure airport’s limit.YEShair straightener on a planeStandard electric hair straighteners are generally allowed. Cordless battery- or gas-powered models can have additional restrictions.DEPENDSumbrella on a planeA compact umbrella is generally allowed, but a large model with a sharp point can be assessed differently by security or the airline.WITH RESTRICTIONSnail polish on a planeNail polish is a liquid and can be flammable. Check cabin liquid limits and quantity restrictions in baggage.WITH RESTRICTIONScream in carry-onCream is treated as a liquid or gel at airport security. Check the container limit and airport-specific rules.WITH RESTRICTIONSshampoo in carry-onShampoo is a liquid. Check container limits, the 1-litre bag rule and departure-airport liquid rules.YEScamera on a planeCameras are generally allowed in the cabin. Spare lithium batteries must stay in carry-on baggage and be protected.

Check your departure airport

General rules are not always enough. Liquid limits and screening procedures can differ by airport, so check the airport you are actually flying from.

Open the item checker →

Make the decision in 30 seconds

First identify whether your question is controlled by security screening, airline carriage rules or destination-country law.

Check whether the item contains a battery, liquid, blade or pressurised gas.
Separate carry-on from checked baggage - the same item can have a different answer.
Finally check the departure airport and airline because a specific rule may be stricter.

Who prepares the answers

Content is prepared by the PreflightMate Research Desk from structured data and official sources. We do not present ourselves as an aviation authority or airline.

How the answer is produced

Automation helps format, compare and translate data. A rule marked verified must be linked to an official source; conflicts and exceptions remain visible.

What can override the rule

A specific airport, airline, route, destination-country rule or a security officer may apply a more restrictive requirement.

About PreflightMate Editorial policy Data updates

Official sources

European Commission - aviation security ↗
IATA - lithium batteries ↗

Last verified: 2026-08-21 · Always check your airport, airline and destination-country rules as well. Local or carrier rules may be stricter than the general rule.