Well-organised hand luggage keeps your documents, medicines, valuables and in-flight essentials within reach on a long journey. This guide is designed for travellers flying from Europe to Asia or the Middle East, although the same packing principles work on most long-haul routes.
Security rules and baggage allowances can vary by departure airport, fare, route and operating airline. The practical rules and airline examples below were checked on 31 October 2026; verify your booking-specific allowance before leaving home.
1. Documents, valuables and essential items
Keep items that would be difficult to replace during the trip in your cabin baggage rather than in a checked suitcase:
- Passport and any required visa or entry confirmation
- Boarding pass and itinerary
- Bank cards and a suitable amount of cash
- Travel insurance details
- Accommodation and onward-transport confirmations
- Personal medicines and any documentation required for them
- Driving documents, if relevant to the trip
Save secure digital copies of important documents separately from the originals. An offline copy of your itinerary, accommodation address and travel-insurance contact details can also be useful if mobile data is unavailable.
2. Power banks and electronics
Pack your phone, charging cables, headphones and any device adapters you need. Download boarding passes, offline maps and essential booking information before departure.
Power banks require particular care. IATA’s 2026 passenger baggage guidance says power banks must be carried in cabin baggage and protected against short circuits. Its current power-bank guidance limits passengers to two lithium-ion power banks that do not exceed 100 Wh each, although an airline may impose stricter conditions.
Check the watt-hour rating printed on the device rather than relying only on its milliamp-hour figure. If the rating is missing or unclear, ask the airline before travelling. Do not put a power bank in checked baggage.
3. Clothing and in-flight comfort
- A light jacket, jumper or hoodie for a cool cabin
- A spare T-shirt and underwear in case checked baggage is delayed
- Eye mask and earplugs
- Headphones compatible with your devices
- An optional neck pillow for an overnight flight
- An empty refillable water bottle
Wear or carry layers rather than packing one bulky garment. Keep the items you expect to use during the flight near the top of the bag so that you do not need to unpack at your seat.
4. Hygiene and freshening-up kit
A compact toiletry pouch might include:
- Toothbrush and travel-size toothpaste
- Hand sanitiser
- Lip balm
- Travel-size deodorant
- Tissues
- Face wipes or a small face cloth
Do not assume that showers are free during a connection. Some airports provide showers through paid facilities or eligible lounges. Dubai Airport currently lists free showers in parts of Terminal 3, while Changi Airport describes payable shower facilities. Check the airport’s current information and compare relevant airport lounge and shower options before travelling.
5. EU cabin-baggage liquid rules
For passengers departing from an EU airport, ordinary liquids, aerosols and gels must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml. The containers must fit inside one transparent, resealable bag with a maximum capacity of one litre. A partly filled container larger than 100 ml does not meet the rule.
The EU’s official luggage restrictions provide exceptions for essential medicines and baby food needed during the journey. Duty-free liquids can be carried when the item and receipt remain sealed in the security bag supplied at purchase. Rules during a transfer or on the return journey may differ, so check every airport on the itinerary.
6. Restricted and unsuitable items
Do not use “sharp objects” as a blanket category: the exact restriction depends on the item. Under the EU’s official list of prohibited cabin articles, scissors with blades longer than 6 cm measured from the fulcrum are prohibited, as are listed knives, razor blades and similar articles. An airport, destination or airline may apply additional restrictions.
- Do not pack power banks or spare lithium batteries in checked baggage.
- Place ordinary liquids, aerosols and gels in the required security bag.
- Check sports equipment, tools and sharp items against the departure airport’s prohibited-items list.
- Confirm restrictions for medicines, food and other controlled products at the destination as well as at departure.
7. Cabin-baggage allowance examples
The following economy-class examples were checked on 31 October 2026. They are not universal limits: entitlement can change with the fare, route, cabin and operating carrier.
- Emirates Economy: one cabin bag up to 7 kg, subject to published route and cabin exceptions.
- Qatar Airways Economy: one piece up to 7 kg.
- Turkish Airlines Economy: one cabin bag up to 8 kg plus a personal item within the airline’s published dimensions.
- Etihad Economy: one cabin bag up to 7 kg under the currently published fare information.
- Singapore Airlines Economy and Premium Economy: one piece up to 7 kg.
- SWISS Economy: one cabin bag up to 8 kg plus one personal item.
Check both the weight and dimensions shown in your booking. If another airline operates a segment under a codeshare, verify which carrier’s baggage rules apply.
8. How to organise the bag
- Place your passport, boarding pass and wallet in a secure but accessible pocket.
- Keep the transparent liquids bag where it can be removed easily at security.
- Protect power-bank terminals and keep the printed Wh rating visible.
- Group cables and small electronics in one pouch.
- Pack medicines, a spare outfit and essential toiletries before optional comfort items.
- Weigh and measure the finished bag against the allowance for the operating airline.