A showdown: what is the difference between hand luggage and personal belongings?

What is a personal item?

A personal item is something that you can take on board with your hand luggage free of charge and without being weighed: a small bag, backpack or anything on this list:

• Outerwear
• Bouquet
• Baby food that your baby will need during the flight
• Baby carrycot, baby stroller and other devices for carrying the baby. Dimensions must strictly comply with the rules of the carrier.
• Medication in the amount necessary for the flight.
• Crutches, canes, walkers, rollators, folding wheelchair.
• Suit in a portacabin
• Small umbrella
• Goods bought in duty-free stores at the airport, packed in a sealed (sealed) plastic bag, the weight and dimensions of which are set by the carrier's rules
• Photos, video cameras and laptops are usually asked to be packed in hand luggage.

It is very important to take into account that each airline has its own rules. You should always check them before going to the airport.

Personal effects and hand luggage: what is the difference?

This is the case when size matters. A personal item is usually small (airlines always indicate the allowed dimensions on their website) and is placed under the front seat. Hand luggage can be quite bulky and most often flies in the overhead luggage compartment.

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The rules for the transportation of personal belongings in the cabin are set by the airline. Usually the current regulations are publicly available on the carrier's website. Here are the conditions of transportation of belongings on board the most popular airlines among tripmydream users.

Wizz Air

Wizz Air allows only hand baggage with dimensions of 40 x 30 x 20 cm and a weight of up to 10 kg free of charge on board, no additional personal items such as a small bag or laptop bag are allowed.

If you purchase the WIZZ Priority service (or get it by purchasing the WIZZ Privilege Pass, WIZZ GO or WIZZ Plus package), you can take one piece of hand baggage (40 x 30 x 20 cm) and an additional suitcase (55 x 40 x 23 cm) free of charge into the cabin.

Ryanair

Only one small bag (maximum dimensions 40 x 20 x 25 cm) can be taken on board Ryanair.

Passengers who have paid for priority boarding (€6-10 per person) are entitled to carry an additional suitcase or backpack up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm and weighing up to 10 kg.

One bag will need to be placed under the seat in front, the other (up to 10 kg) on the luggage rack.

An adult accompanying a child up to 2 years old can take on board a bag weighing up to 5 kg with hygiene products, food and toys free of charge. Other children are subject to "adult" regulations.

SkyUp Airlines

Only one piece of hand baggage 55 x 40 x 20 cm weighing up to 9 kg can be carried free of charge on Economy Basic fare.

Additional items such as a laptop, outerwear, umbrella, book or magazine, file folder, Duty free items (from 01.04.2021) (one closed bag with a receipt) must be placed inside the hand baggage.

The second piece of hand baggage can be purchased for $12 by contacting the Contact Center, or for $25 at the airport.

Economy Standard fare — two pieces of hand baggage can be taken on board free of charge. One is 55 x 40 x 20 cm up to 9 kg and the other is 35 x 20 x 10 cm up to 5 kg.

Economy Flex fare allows you to take on board a hand baggage up to 9 kg (55 x 40 x 20 cm) and additionally a hand baggage up to 9 kg, dimensions — 55 x 40 x 20 cm.

UIA

Within the economy fare you can take only one hand baggage weighing up to 7 kg (55 x 40 x 20 cm) into UIA cabin. Any items or accessories, such as: laptop, magazines, books, camera, porta-potty, duty free goods, personal documents, etc., must be placed inside the hand baggage.

One more piece of hand baggage can be purchased. All UIA passengers can carry one piece of outerwear and 1 umbrella in addition to hand baggage free of charge.

Passengers with infants (up to 2 years old) are allowed to take one additional travel bag (weight up to 5 kg / dimensions up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm) for each infant. The bag may contain clothes, toiletries, light toys and special baby food that may be needed during the flight.

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines Economy Class passengers can carry on board a free hand baggage 55x40x23 cm weighing up to 8 kg. Business Class passengers — two pieces of hand luggage.

Traveling with an infant can take as much liquid or solid baby food as the child requires during the flight. Breathing apparatus, tennis rackets or squash rackets can also be carried in the Turkish Airline cabin if they are in a special bag.