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.
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.
It is important for you to know which items are restricted or prohibited in your checked baggage and cabin baggage. Download our dangerous goods carriage guide for further information.
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*Ammunition
*Skateboards
Small battery-powered vehicles, including hoverboards, skateboards, segways and mini-segways are not permitted
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 one package of up to five 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 available to purchase at the airport.
You can only carry Zamzam water from Jeddah if you hold an Umrah or Haj visa. This applies to all guests including GCC nationals.
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:
The main container must not be completely filled with liquid to avoid any leakage when pressurised.
More than 20 litres of liquids must be transported as cargo.
Airport regulations in the UAE
If you’re travelling to or transiting through any UAE airport:
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:
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.
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.
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Airport regulations in the US
If you’re travelling to the US:
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:
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 ion batteries
Wheelchairs and mobility aids with non-spillable wet batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries
Batteries may remain securely attached to the wheelchair, with all electrical circuits isolated. If the wheelchair is designed with a detachable battery, you may remove the battery, package it in a strong rigid packaging and carry it as checked baggage only. You are permitted to carry one spare wet, non-spillable battery or two spare nickel-metal hydride batteries or dry batteries, safely packaged in a strong, rigid packaging and carried as checked baggage only.
Wheelchairs and mobility aids with spillable batteries
If your wheelchair or mobility aid is powered by a spillable battery, the battery may remain securely attached to the wheelchair as long as all electrical circuits are isolated and we are able to load, stow, secure and unload the aid in an upright position at all times during the journey. This may depend on the aircraft type.
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.
Strong smelling perishable items are prohibited on all Etihad aircraft.
Examples of prohibited items include but are not limited to:
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.
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:
Smart bags will not be accepted if:
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.
If you’re flying to or from the US, please keep in mind:
Medically-prescribed powder substances, including baby formula, 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.
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, 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.
If you’re flying to or from India, satellite phones are not permitted in your cabin bag or checked baggage. You may not be able to board your flight unless you have permission from the Department of Telecommunication, India.
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.
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.
Yes. You may carry up to 100ml of hand sanitiser in your cabin baggage on board, or up to a total of 2l in your checked baggage. If you are carrying hand sanitiser in your checked baggage, each container must not exceed 500ml.
On board, you’ll also receive a complimentary wellness kit which includes hand sanitiser, as well as a face mask and gloves.
The maximum allowed capacity of gels and liquids that you can carry on board may vary by country and carrier, so always check in advance before you travel.
If you have any questions about what you can or cannot pack, we’re here to help!
Speak to us
Short on time? Download our prohibited items list to quickly see restricted items.
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Find your baggage allowance and everything else you need to know before your fly.
Baggage allowance
