Prohibited items and what you can take on board

There are strict regulations around carrying items that pose a risk to you, other passengers, our aircraft or the environment.

Always read our list of prohibited items carefully. Remember that regulations may vary for different airlines or destinations. We do not accept responsibility if you are unable to carry any personal items when you fly.

What items are dangerous or restricted?

Find out which items you can or cannot carry on board or in your checked baggage. Some items can only be carried with conditions, meaning they need prior approval. Please get in touch with our Global Contact Centre and we'll let you know how to do this. All items are subject to security screening and airport regulations may vary from country to country. We do not accept responsibility if you are not permitted to carry items at certain airports or with other airlines.

Download our list of dangerous goods to find out what you are permitted to carry in your baggage.

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	Checked baggage	Checked baggage with conditions	Cabin baggage	Cabin baggage with conditions
Firearms such as pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and pellet guns, including signal flare pistols
*Ammunition
Replica and imitation firearms
Components of firearms (excluding telescopic sighting devices and sights)
Toy guns of any type
Crossbows and bows
Catapults and sling shots
Harpoon and spear guns
Stun or shocking devices
Lighters shaped like firearms

*Ammunition

Ammunition must be securely packaged in Div. 1.4S, UN 0012 or UN 0014 only
Must not exceed 5kg gross weight per person
This allowance cannot be combined into one or more packages for multiple passengers
Must be for your own personal use

	Checked baggage	Checked baggage with conditions	Cabin baggage	Cabin baggage with conditions
Blasting caps, dynamite, gun powder, and plastic explosives
Detonators and fuses
Explosives and explosive devices
Replica or imitation explosive material or devices
Grenades

	Checked baggage	Checked baggage with conditions	Cabin baggage	Cabin baggage with conditions
Axes and hatchets
Arrows and darts
Harpoons and spears
Ice axes and ice picks
Replica or imitation explosive material or devices
Ice skates
Lockable or flick knives with blades of any length
Knives
Meat cleavers
Machetes
Open razors and blades (excluding safety or disposable razors with blades enclosed in cartridge)
Sabres, swords and swordsticks
Scalpels
Scissors with blades more than 6cm in length
Ski and walking or hiking poles
Throwing stars
Tools that have the potential to be used as a pointed or edged weapon such as drills, drill bits, box cutters, utility knives, saws, screwdrivers, crowbars, hammers, pliers, wrenches, spanners or blow torches

	Checked baggage	Checked baggage with conditions	Cabin baggage	Cabin baggage with conditions
Rope, cord and measuring tape
Baseball and softball bats
Clubs or batons
Cricket bats
Golf clubs
Hockey sticks
Lacrosse sticks
Kayak and canoe paddles
Skateboards*
Billiards, snooker and pool cues
Fishing rods
Martial arts equipment such as knuckle dusters, clubs, coshes, rice flails, nun chucks, kabatons or kubasaunts

*Skateboards

Small battery-powered vehicles, including hoverboards, skateboards, segways and mini-segways are not permitted

Checked baggage
Checked baggage with conditions
Cabin baggage
Cabin baggage with conditions

Inflatable items must be deflated

	Checked baggage	Checked baggage with conditions	Cabin baggage	Cabin baggage with conditions
Water, drinks, soups, syrups, jams, stews, sauces and pastes				up to 100ml
Foods in sauces or containing a high liquid content				up to 100ml
Creams, lotions, cosmetics and oils, perfumes, sprays, gels, including hair and shower gel				up to 100ml
Contents of pressurized containers, including shaving foam and deodorants				up to 100ml
Pastes including toothpaste, liquid-solid mixtures, mascara, lip gloss or lip balm and any item of similar consistency at room temperature				up to 100ml
Zamzam water		up to 5L		up to 100ml
All other liquids (for instance olive oil or cooking oil)		up to 10L		up to 100ml

Can I fly with liquids, aerosols and gels?

The quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels that you can carry in your cabin baggage is restricted depending on the airport that you are departing from. Always check in advance.

Restrictions only apply to your cabin baggage so you can still pack liquids, aerosols and gels in your checked baggage.

Zamzam water

You can carry up to 5 litres of Zamzam water for free in addition to your checked baggage allowance. It must be safely packed and labelled in a sealed plastic container, covered by a protective cardboard box.
These are widely available at pilgrimage sites. You may also carry up to 100ml of Zamzam water within your cabin baggage. It must be carried in a transparent, re-sealable plastic container or bag. It is not possible to pay to carry more Zamzam water as excess baggage.

Duty-Free purchases

Liquids, aerosols or gels purchased at the airport may only be carried on board if they are sealed within a Security Tamper-Evident Bag (STEB).
To avoid confiscation, keep the STEB sealed until after you have cleared security. If you’re transiting between airports, do not open the bag until you pass through the final security checkpoint at your last airport of transit.

All other liquids

You are permitted to carry up to 10 litres of liquids as part of your checked baggage allowance. The container or bottle must be:

Packed in a solid, leak-proof plastic bag with a zipper or tie closure
Placed in a second plastic bag, that is leak-proof and secured with a zipper or tie closure
Carried in a solid box with or without protective materials (for instance, bubble wrap), taped and identified with a name tag

The main container must not be completely filled with liquid to avoid any leakage when pressurised.

More than 10 litres of liquids must be transported as cargo.

Airport regulations in the UAE

If you’re travelling to or transiting through any UAE airport:

Carry liquids, aerosols and gels in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1l
The contents of each container must not exceed 100ml
One bag is permitted per passenger and must be presented separately from the rest of your cabin baggage at security screening checkpoints
Exceptions may be made for medication, baby milk, baby food, special dietary foods or medication
If you have purchased liquids, aerosols or gels from another airport, they must be sealed in a Security Tamper-Evident Bag – your purchase may be confiscated otherwise

Airport regulations in Europe

These regulations apply to all guests carrying cabin baggage during transit through an EU airport, departing from an EU airport or travelling to or from Toronto or Brussels:

Carry liquids, aerosols and gels in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1l
The contents of each container must not exceed 100ml
One bag is permitted per passenger and must be presented separately from the rest of your cabin baggage at security screening checkpoints
Duty-Free products bought from non-EU Duty-Free shops or onboard sales will not be accepted as carry-on baggage

Airport regulations in Australia

The Australian Government has implemented security restrictions which limit the quantity of liquids, aerosols and gels that may be carried on board flights to Australia. These restrictions do not apply to checked in baggage.

Carry liquids, aerosols and gels in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag
The contents of each container must not exceed 100ml
The four sides of the re-sealable area should not add up to more than 80cm (for example, 20x20cm or 15x25cm)
You are not permitted to carry liquids, aerosols or on board in excess of these restrictions.

If you are connecting to Australia via Abu Dhabi and carrying liquids, aerosols and gels that exceed the permitted quantities, they may be confiscated during security checks at the transfer point or boarding gate.

We recommended that you purchase Duty Free liquids, aerosols and gels on board during your flight from Abu Dhabi to Australia.

Airport regulations in the US

If you’re travelling to the US:

Carry liquids, aerosols and gels in a transparent, re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1l
The contents of each container must not exceed 100ml
One bag is permitted per passenger and must be presented separately from the rest of your cabin baggage at security screening checkpoints

If you need a wheelchair, please let us know as soon as possible before your flight.

You can request a wheelchair from the following categories:
- Ramp Wheelchair (WCHR): You require a wheelchair for long distances
- Step Wheelchair (WCHS): You require a wheelchair for long distances and assistance with steps
- Cabin Wheelchair (WCHC): You are completely immobile and require assistance to and from your seat onboard
Book a Ramp or Step Wheelchair through Manage my booking or call us to reserve a Cabin Wheelchair.

Bringing your own wheelchair

You can bring your own wheelchair for free in addition to your checked baggage allowance. The height and weight of the wheelchair should not exceed 120cm and 60kg. Contact us if your wheelchair does not meet these dimensions.

All battery powered wheelchairs and mobility aids require prior approval. Please get in touch with our Global Contact Centre and we'll be happy to help.

Wheelchairs and mobility aids with lithium batteries
- Batteries must be UN tested and certified
- Batteries must be either securely attached with the electrical circuits isolated or removed, as per the manufacturer’s instructions
- If batteries are removed, they must be placed in a protective pouch and carried in your cabin baggage – a single battery must not exceed 300 watt hours, or 160 watt hours for devices fitted with two lithium batteries
- One extra spare battery, not exceeding 300 watt hours or two spares each not exceeding 160 watt hours each, can be carried in your cabin baggage
Wheelchairs and mobility aids with non-spillable wet batteries

Please prepare your wheelchair or mobility aid to prevent any unintentional activation. Non-spillable batteries must not contain any free or unabsorbed liquid.

Batteries must be either securely attached with the electrical circuits isolated or removed, as per the manufacturer’s instructions. This also applies to alkali-manganese, zinc-carbon, nickel-cadmium, Nickel-metal hydride and dry batteries.

Wheelchairs and mobility aids with spillable batteries

Spillable batteries can stay in the wheelchair or mobility aid if the aid can be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded in an upright position.

The battery terminals must be enclosed within a battery container, and the battery must be securely attached to the wheelchair or mobility aid.

All Etihad Airways aircraft operating to and from the US have a priority space in the cabin for the stowage of one folding wheelchair. This space is available on a first come, first served basis.

Can I travel with my Apple MacBook Pro?

Following a safety recall of certain models, all Apple MacBook Pro laptops are only permitted as cabin baggage and cannot be carried within your checked baggage. If your laptop has been recalled, it must remain powered off throughout the flight and cannot be charged on board.

Find out if your laptop has been affected by entering the serial number here.

Can I travel with a smart bag?

You must declare that you are travelling with a smart bag when you check in. Smart bags are bags that are integrated with lithium batteries, motors, power banks, GPS, GSM, Bluetooth, RFID or Wi-Fi technology.

They are permitted as cabin or checked baggage provided that:

Your bag is powered by one single lithium battery with a watt/hour rating lower than 100Wh only – single lithium batteries with a watt/hour rating between 100Wh-160Wh will require prior approval
The installed lithium battery and power bank is removed and packed individually in your cabin baggage or as a personal item on board – these items are not permitted as checked baggage
If you wish to use your smart bag as cabin baggage, it must meet the weight and size requirements
You do not use your smart bag as a charging device or charge your bag during the flight

Smart bags will not be accepted if:

They are powered by a lithium battery with a watt/hour rating of more than 160Wh
The battery, power bank or both are an integral part of the bag and cannot be removed

Can I take an electronic cigarette on my flight?

Electronic cigarettes may be carried on Etihad Airways flights though use of the device is strictly prohibited. Smoking of any kind, including the use of lighters, matches or e-cigarettes is not allowed anywhere on board, including the toilets.

Electronic cigarettes are only permitted in your cabin bag and must not be packed in your checked bag.

Flights to or from the US

If you’re flying to or from the US, please keep in mind:

All electronic devices and accessories must be charged and you may be asked to switch them on to prove this
Loose or spare batteries, power banks, e-cigarettes, e-pipes or other personal vaporisers may only be carried in your cabin baggage and are not permitted in checked baggage
Powder substances or granular materials weighing 350ml/350g/12oz or greater are not permitted in your cabin baggage and must be placed in your checked baggage

Medically-prescribed powder substances, including baby formula and cremated human remains are exempt from these regulations provided that they are sealed, not tampered with and have supporting evidence. Duty-Free items contained in Security Tamper Evident Bags are also exempt as long as they have been purchased after clearing US Customs and Border Protection in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Flights to or from Australia

Flying from Australia? Inorganic powder substances weighing 350ml/350g/12oz or greater are not permitted in your cabin baggage and must be placed in your checked baggage.

This includes salt, sand, talcum powders, powdered deodorants, foot powders, detergent powders and cleaning products.

Organic powders (including powdered food, baby food, coffee, flour, spices, sugar and Epsom salts), prescription and non-prescription medicines, cremated human remains and medical items required during the flight are all exempt from these regulations when accompanied by supporting evidence. Duty-Free items contained in Security Tamper Evident Bags are also exempt.

Important

If any device you are carrying is damaged, hot, produces smoke, is lost or falls into the seat, please inform our cabin crew immediately. Do not try to operate or move the seat as this may damage your device.

Questions about prohibited items?

The quanity of liquids, aerosols or gels that you can carry on board depends on where you are flying from, so always check before you fly.

If you are flying with us from Abu Dhabi, in your cabin baggage you can take toiletries totalling 1l, maximum. The content of each toiletry item cannot exceed 100ml, and all your items must be kept in a resealable, transparent bag. Keep it out of your main cabin bag when going through security.

LAGs include creams, lotions, cosmetics and oils, perfumes, sprays, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel. Toothpaste, mascara, lip gloss or lip balm and any item of similar consistency at room temperature, and shaving foam and deodorants all count as well.

At most airports, if you buy any toiletries in Duty-Free, they will provide you with a Security Tamper-Evident Bag. Keep your item in this bag on every onward flight in your itinerary.

On Etihad flights, you cannot bring razors in your cabin baggage, unless it is a safety or disposable razor with blades enclosed in cartridge.

However, you can carry a razor in your checked baggage.

You can take your own food on board, as long as it's in a packet or container, and solid.

If you have liquid food, they will be subject to the usual liquid regulations: 100ml per item, 1L of liquid permitted in total. Food considered a liquid or gel includes soups, syrups, jams, stews, sauces and pastes.

Our Global Contact Centre is here to help! Please get in touch if you have any queries about what you can and cannot bring on board.

Get in touch

If you have any questions about what you can or cannot pack, we’re here to help!

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Quick check

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Baggage help

Find your baggage allowance and everything else you need to know before your fly.

Baggage allowance

Prohibited

items

What items are dangerous or restricted?

Dangerous goods & chemicals

Weapons

Explosives

Sharp objects

Blunt instruments

Inflatables

Liquids, aerosols and gels

Can I fly with liquids, aerosols and gels?

Wheelchairs