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latest hand baggage policy

latest hand baggage policy (information updated 07.01.08)

With effect from 7 January 2008, the Department for Transport has approved new hand baggage arrangements at a number of airports in the UK.  This means that at these airports the restriction previously imposed limiting hand baggage to one item per person will no longer apply.  As a result, bmi has reviewed its hand baggage policy.

What are the key changes?

  • passengers travelling on a business fare (and premium economy to the USA or Caribbean) may carry two pieces of hand baggage
  • passengers travelling on an economy or tiny fare may carry one piece of hand baggage
  • hand baggage must be no larger thatn 55x40x23cm and passengers must be able to lift their bags unaided into the overhead locker
  • in addition, all passengers may carry one personal item

important

For passengers travelling from or transitting through an airport where Government restrictions still apply, the single hand baggage allowance remains in place.

new baggage policy applies at the following airports:

  • Aberdeen
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • London Heathrow
  • Inverness
  • Manchester
  • all overseas airports 

limit of ONE piece of hand baggage is retained at:

  • Leeds Bradford
  • Durham Tees Valley
  • Belfast City
  • Jersey
  • East Midlands
  • Norwich

Please visit the Department of Transport website for an up to date list of compliant airports.

bmi's hand baggage policy has been revised to provide consistency with our Star Alliance partners.

Regulations regarding the carriage and quantity of liquids allowed through airport security are unchanged and remain in place.

A small amount of liquids will be allowed through security screening if:

  • the liquid is in a container with a capacity no greater than 100ml (or equivalent)
  • the containers are all contained within one closed transparent re-sealable plastic bag (such as a re-sealable freezer bag or zip top bag) which itself must not exceed 1 litre in capacity or 20cm x 20cm
  • the contents of the plastic bag fit comfortably and the bag is completely closed

In this case ‘liquids’ include gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures and the contents of pressurised containers, e.g. toothpaste, hair gel, drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, aerosols, etc.

This requirement is in place across all airports in the EU and is aligned with those already in place in the US and Canada.

cabin baggage allowance (hand baggage subject to airport security policy)
USA and Caribbean
fare typehand baggage
the business2 pieces max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item*
premium economy2 pieces max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item* 
economy1 piece max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item* 
bmi gold/silver Diamond Club and Star Alliance gold members 1 piece max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item* 
all other destinations (UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia)
fare typehand baggage
business2 pieces max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item*
premium economy, economy flexible & economy 1 piece max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item* 
tiny 1 piece max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item* 
bmi gold /silver Diamond Club and Star Alliance gold members 1 piece max size 55x40x23cm, plus one personal item* 

maximum dimensions for hand baggage: 55cm  x 40cm x 23cm (l+w+h)

* Passengers must be able to lift their cabin baggage unaided into the overhead locker.  They may take into the cabin one personal item such as a small handbag, purse, small briefcase, laptop (in a thin satchel) or baby-changing bag.  Personal items are accepted at bmi's discretion.

Saudi Arabia - UK: Up to 10 litres of holy water in a single container (shrink wrapped and secure) is permitted as hold baggage to the UK in addition to normal allowance.  The holy water container cannot be carried as hand baggage.