Airline restrictions are rules and regulations governing what goes in and out of an aircraft that is scheduled to make an air travel to another destination. These restrictions initiated by Governments, Air Travel International Agencies, Airports and the Airlines themselves. They are constantly evaluated and updated whenever the current circumstances warrant it. When planning an air travel, passengers are usually advised to make a careful research, not just on cheap air tickets and discount airfares, but also concerning medical, import, security, and general travel restrictions that will directly or indirectly be harmful to the airlines’ safety or run contrary to the laws of the country.

Using medical airline restrictions as an example, the recent outbreak of bird flu in the past couple of years has forced governments of most countries worldwide to draw up some air travel restrictions in an effort to combat the fast spreading scourge. This included placing a ban on imported poultry from bird flu affected countries, especially when it was discovered in some human beings. In late 2002 – 2003, many scheduled air flights were cancelled and some people evacuated by Air Travel Bird Flu Prevention Teams in East Asia and North America. Although billions of dollars were lost to revenue, air travelers and the spread of the avian virus had to be curtailed between both continents. Such are the kinds of airline restrictions imposed on air travel periodically.

This was another trying period for long-haul airlines who had some of their flights suspended. These carriers already had high fuel prices and fierce competition from other airlines to deal with. Thus, one way out was to offer dirt cheap airfares and great discounts on air tickets to attract passengers back to air travel; many of which were reluctant to travel to some countries due to the disease outbreak. On import regulations, airlines have restrictions on the standard international prohibition list on their luggage restrictions. Under no circumstance are these items allowed into an aircraft except with authorized permission of specially trained Staff who may at their discretion, allow the items boarding. Items like firearms, hard drugs, explosives, and other dangerous materials are in this prohibited list with the rule being in effect for some decades.

After September 2001, and the August 2006 failed plane plots, newer airline restrictions came into force where nearly all liquids and gels have been restricted from getting near the security screening gate. Under the strict new airline restrictions, travelers are only allowed to take along just few grams of medicine, glucose for diabetic patients, and some baby food. There quite a few exceptions to baby food that may be brought on board but which are subject to thorough physical examination. If they are to be allowed, then you may be required to taste them in the presence of security personnel. Airline restrictions for electric and electronic devices are a little relaxed. Laptop computers, mobile phones, portable players, hair dryers, etc maybe allowed on an aircraft, but also subject to physical inspection by security officers. For restricted items that have been forgotten among your luggage, security officers will require you to hand them over to your relations or friends who are not traveling otherwise they stand confiscated.

Handbags and hand luggage are allowed to be boarded within the cabin under the current airline restrictions policies but with exact allowable weight and dimensions. However, only one luggage per person on any single flight is allowed and must be screened security-wise. Some airlines have added restrictions on weight and luggages but those that exceed these limits are compelled to pay extra charges. Aside this, overloading your bags may not be the best because it may burst open due to pressure during transportation.

For first or business class passengers, they may be allowed extra baggage for their class of travel while the restrictions are even lesser for the airlines’ premium members and frequent fliers who are given more pounds of luggage weight on all flights. Airlines have restrictions tailored for each class of passenger and aircraft. Finally, while governments, airport authorities and airlines do their best to make air travel safer for all of us by imposing strict flight restrictions, we should also do our best to help them achieve this worthy cause.