Baggage restrictions

Stringent security measures are in place at all US airports.

We're doing everything we can to minimise any delays caused by these measures – but there are things that you can also do to make your progress through Newark as smooth and hassle free as possible.

One of the most important things you can do is make sure you fully understand all the rules on baggage – what you are allowed to carry in your hand baggage, what you should put in your checked luggage – and what you should never take on the aircraft.

General advice, though, is to carry the very minimum of hand baggage, and make sure you arrive early at the airport and allow plenty of time for security screening.

There are some items that you’re not allowed to take on your aircraft in either your hand baggage or your hold luggage, and these are listed below.

Things you’re never allowed to take onboard: flammable liquids and solidsoxidisers such as bleaching powdersorganic peroxidestear gas devices or any gas cylindersinfectious substances such as live virus materialswet-cell car batteriesmagnetronsinstruments containing mercuryinstruments containing magnetsfireworksnon-safety matchesfirelighters, lighter fuel, paints, thinnerspoisons, arsenic, cyanide, weedkillerradioactive materials, acids, corrosives, alkalis, caustic sodacreosote, quicklime, oiled papervehicle fuel system parts which have contained fuel

Hand baggage rules

Our general advice is to carry the very minimum of hand baggage, and to make sure you arrive early at the airport and allow plenty of time for security screening.

These rules can be summarised as: you are allowed just one piece of hand luggage* and this must not exceed 56cm x 45cm x 25cm. Most airlines do also allow passengers to carry a handbag too, but please check with your airline to make sureyour hand luggage must not contain any sharp itemsyou may only carry small amounts of liquid, gels, creams and pastes (in containers no bigger than 100ml) – and all these items must be inside one transparent re-sealable bag (maximum size: 20cm x 20cm) which will be screened separately at security.you are allowed to carry greater quantities of liquids, gels, creams and pastes – but you should put these in your hold luggage. This and other information is listed on our hold baggage page.

If you are travelling with a baby, or you have a medical condition and need to carry medicines, for example, we realise that this might be difficult – so there are exceptions to these rules.

To pass through security, you should also take your laptop, and any other big electrical items, out of your hand baggage, take your coat off, and be prepared to remove your shoes and belt if you are asked. All these items will be screened separately.

Once you’ve passed through security, you can board your flight with everything you buy in the departure lounge – including liquids and gels in quantities larger than 100ml.

Hold baggage rules

It’s also worth noting that there are several items that you are allowed to carry in hold luggage that you are not allowed to carry onboard with you in your hand luggage.

These include:
liquids, creams, gels and pastes in containers over 100ml
scissors (less than 6cm with rounded ends are allowed in hand baggage)
razor blades (razors that have the blade set into a plastic moulding are allowed in hand baggage, but other types are not)
knives with blades of any length
household cutlery (but small teaspoons are allowed in hand baggage)
hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons, for which proof will be required)
tools (including multi-tools and penknives)
catapults
corkscrews
walking/hiking poles
toy/replica guns (metal or plastic)
sporting bats
darts
billiard, snooker or pool cues.
For items not allowed anywhere on the aircraft, see our baggage restriction pages.

The weight of your bags, checking weight allowances on your ticket or with your airline.