Air Travel: These Are The Items That Are Forbidden in Onboard Baggage

Beware if you're flying this summer: certain products are strictly forbidden on board. Be sure to check what you're allowed to take in your luggage, as the rules are different for the cabin and the hold.

Air travel is always exciting. But unlike traveling by train, and for obvious safety reasons, you're not allowed to take certain objects and products in your bags and suitcases, whether in the cabin or the hold. Whatever your destination, here's what you need to know to prepare your luggage without risking an unpleasant surprise at the airport before boarding.

In the cabin, the rules are very precise, especially when it comes to dangerous or potentially dangerous items.

• Firearms and bladed weapons are of course prohibited, as are sharp objects. A simple knife with a blade longer than six centimeters will not be allowed through, and tools such as screwdrivers and sharp scissors are also banned.
• Another crucial point concerns liquids. You are not allowed to take containers larger than 100 milliliters into the cabin. This includes bottled water, cosmetics, shower gels, shampoos, perfumes, and even toothpaste! All these products must be placed in a transparent, resealable plastic bag. Unfortunately, if you forget this rule, you'll have to leave your items behind at the airport.
• The list of prohibited items differs somewhat for checked baggage. Lithium batteries, for example, are a real concern, as they present a risk of explosion and fire.
• Laptop computers, smartphones, tablets, and other battery-operated electronic devices must be carried in carry-on baggage.
• If you have an electric bicycle or a medical device such as a wheelchair fitted with such batteries, you'll need to find another solution for transporting them.
• Other items, such as corrosive chemicals, explosive materials, and compressed gases, are also prohibited. Batteries, on the other hand, are permitted, provided they are in their original packaging or in an individual bag.

If you've planned to eat during the flight, you should know that solid foods such as sandwiches, fruit, and cookies are permitted in the cabin. Beverages, soups, and sauces, on the other hand, follow the same strict rules as other liquids, and must not exceed 100 milliliters per container. In the hold, you can take foodstuffs without too many restrictions, but always check your destination's specific rules for fresh produce.

At the airport, your baggage undergoes several checks. When you arrive at the security checkpoint, you'll be asked to place your personal belongings, including liquids and electronic devices, in bins for inspection. Hand luggage then goes through an X-ray scanner. Sometimes, additional checks such as a hand search or a check for traces of explosives may be carried out.

After being weighed and tagged, hold baggage is sent to a sorting area, where it is also scanned for prohibited items. Be careful if you're carrying certain products, such as almond paste, which may be detected as explosives due to their similar density: a search is guaranteed!

If you are caught with prohibited items, the consequences can vary. The most common penalty is confiscation and destruction of the items. In some cases, you could be banned from flying on certain airlines or even face legal prosecution. Don't take any chances, and check with your airline before you leave.