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If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies. Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and can’t “carry on” to the plane. Each airline has different carry-on rules, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.
If you are going to be flying LOT Polish Airlines, then here are the carry-on rules you need to be aware of regarding size, weight, fees, liquids, etc.
LOT Airlines Carry-On Size & Weight Limits
LOT allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard, with a maximum combined weight of 8-12 KG at no charge, depending on your class of service.
The personal item should fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.
LOT Airlines Carry-On Baggage Size Limit
LOT size requirements for a carry-on are:
- Dimensions for carry-on baggage: max. 50 x 40 x 23 cm (21.6 x 15.7 x 9 inches)
If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, LOT typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and some departure gates. But if you wait until you get to either of these locations and have an issue, it’s too late.
If the bag is too big or too heavy, you’re going to have to pay a fee, so it’s always better to know your bag size and the limitations in advance.
Recommended Carry-On Bag for LOT
If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying LOT, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years and brought it with me on many flights both in the US and Europe.
It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips (3-4 days). Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly and effortlessly.
LOT Airlines Personal Item Size and Fees
Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag, or a similar-sized item. The Maximum allowed dimensions for the personal item are 15.7 x 13.7 x 4.7 inches (40 x 35 x 12 cm).
If your carry-on baggage exceeds the allowed limit, an additional charge will apply. Check out the charges for excess carry-on baggage.
The following items may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.
- for persons traveling with children – a collapsible pram or stroller, and baby food
- for disabled persons – a wheelchair (it will be put in the baggage hold before boarding and returned upon landing), crutches or other medical equipment for personal use,
LOT Carry-On Weight Limits
LOT requires your carry-on bag and personal item to weigh less than 8-12 KG, depending on your class of service.
However, they don’t weigh your carry-on items prior to boarding, so you’re generally not going to have a problem if it’s too heavy. The weight issue applies to check baggage more than carry-on bags since they weigh your checked bags when you check in for your flight.
Restricted items for Carry-on
Before you board your flight, check the guidelines for the following items:
- Guns, firearms, and other devices that discharge projectiles
- Stun devices.
- Industrial utilities or power tools
- Sharp or pointy objects
- Blunt instruments
- Explosives and flammable substances
Additional restricted items can be found here.
Carry-On Liquids: LOT Liquids Policy
The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA, EASA, and FAA. LOT doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the Authorities.
- Containers with liquids and gel-like substances may hold up to 100 ml (maximum capacity must be printed on the container).
- All containers must be carried in a plastic bag (transparent, resealable, max. capacity of one liter). One bag per person.
- The bag must be presented separately at security. Take your liquids out of your carry-on baggage at the security screening point and present them separately. In exceptional cases, liquids may be opened during security checks and removed from their outer packaging.
- Liquid duty-free goods purchased at an international airport or on board an aircraft outside the EU must be transported in a tamper-proof, certified bag on connecting flights via an EU airport. The proof of purchase must be inside the bag and the bag must be sealed by the retailer.
- Medicines and special food (e.g., baby food) can be carried outside the plastic bag and must also be presented at security.
Below is a table that provides some examples of Non-solid Food and Personal Items that are considered “liquids”:
The TSA 3-1-1 Rule
Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or one hundred milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash, and lotion.
Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security checkpoint.
Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food/child nourishment.
Carry-On Food
There are two different scenarios pertaining to food:
- The food you bring with you to the airport, and
- The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.
An important thing to note is the classification of liquid foods vs. solid foods.
The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel.” This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).
The TSA website advises what food can be brought with you on your flight. This applies to food you are bringing from home through security. Once you get through security, you can bring about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.
Prohibited Items and Dangerous Goods
There are certain items that are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous materials. Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bags on all flights. These rules are not specific to any airline and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency.
Items considered “dangerous goods” are prohibited under LOT’s carry-on policy and include the following:
- Firearms and ammunition
- Stunning devices, mace, tear gas, and pepper spray
- Poisonous, infectious, or radioactive substances
- Sharp or pointed objects (knives, swords, cutting instruments, razors, ice skates, carpet knives, metal scissors, box cutters, or similar items)
- Camping equipment containing flammable liquids or gasses
- Flammable liquids, including gasoline and kerosene
- Self-Balancing devices such as hoverboards, including electric skateboards, balance boards, and gravity boards
- Medical or liquid oxygen
- Torch lighters, lighter fluid, strike-anywhere matches, and fire starters
- Wet-cell batteries
The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with FAA regulations:
- Hiking or trekking poles
- Hair dryer/Straightener
- Hair spray
- Sunscreen/bug spray
- Food as a carry-on
- Fishing hooks
- Fragile glass items
A complete list can be found on the FAA website, the TSA website, and/or the EASA website.
LOT Carry-On Size and Fees
LOT does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements. If your bag is too large and doesn’t meet LOT’s carry-on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate-check it.
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