Baggage
Click here to read the full list of items that require approval
For safety reasons, items which are classified as dangerous goods must be shipped as cargo. However, certain items can be carried in cabin/hold baggage with prior approval from Icelandair.
Please note: If you attempt to travel to or from the USA and Canada with any of the following prohibited items, you risk being denied boarding.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Explosives and/or flammable substances and devices | Explosives and/or flammable substances and devices capable of being used to cause serious injury or those which pose a threat to the safety of the aircraft, including: - Ammunition; - Blasting caps; - Detonators and fuses; - Mines, grenades and other explosive military stores; - Fireworks and other pyrotechnics; - Smoke-generating canisters and cartridges; - Dynamite, gunpowder and plastic explosives |
| Corrosives | Mercury, acids, alkalis, wet-cell batteries, and mercury batteries |
| Compressed gases | Butane, oxygen, propane and aqualung cylinders (deeply refrigerated, flammable, non-flammable and poisonous) |
| Infectious substances | Bacteria and viruses |
| Poisons | Insecticides, herbicides, arsenic and cyanides |
| Explosives of any kind | Fireworks, flares, ammunition and firearms |
| Oxidizing materials and/or organic peroxides | Bleaches and fiberglass repair kits |
| Flammable liquids and solids | Lighter or heater fuels, cleaning spirits, paint |
| Personal transportation devices | Including hoverboards, balance wheels, scooters or any device powered by lithium batteries |
| Radioactive material | Materials which produce radiation |
In baggage which you are going to check in, you are advised not to include any fragile or perishable items, money, keys, jewelry, electronic equipment, precious metals or silverware, valuable articles, passports, or other documentation.
Passengers traveling to/from the United States are advised to take note of the TSA (US Transportation Security Administration) restrictions on the locking of checked-in baggage.
All over-sized baggage will be stowed in the baggage compartment of the airplane with a bag tag indicating its destination.
You, as a passenger, are solely responsible for any baggage you bring into the cabin of an Icelandair aircraft with you. All items should be placed in the overhead compartment or under the seat in front of you.
We must show consideration for the space and security of all of our passengers, so please note that our personnel are not required to accommodate any large carry-on baggage. This includes such items as framed pictures.
The following items are also restricted from carry-on:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Guns, firearms and other devices that discharge projectiles | Devices capable, or those which appear capable, of being used to cause serious injury by discharging a projectile |
| Stun devices | Devices specifically designed or intended to stun or immobilize |
| Industrial utilities or power tools | Workmen's tools which are capable of being used either to cause serious injury or to threaten the overall safety of the aircraft |
| Sharp or pointy objects | Objects with a sharp point or sharp edges which are capable of being used to cause serious injury are not permitted onboard Note: in some cases, items used to knit, stitch or crochet can fall under this restriction. Many knitting needles and crochet hooks are blunt enough to fall outside of this particular provision. However, airport officials are within their right to confiscate knitting needles and other handcraft items if they deem that the items in question fall within the provision of the sharp object |
| Blunt instruments | Blunt objects which are capable of being used to cause serious injury |
| Explosives and flammable substances | Explosive and/or flammable substances and devices which are capable, or appear capable, of being used to cause serious injury or threaten the overall safety of the aircraft |
Liquids, aerosols and gels are commonly referred to as LAGs and include any gels, pastes, lotions, liquid/solid mixtures, or the contents of any pressurized containers. Examples of LAGs include, but are not limited to: alcoholic beverages, tubes of toothpaste, hair gels, beverages, soups, syrups, perfumes, shaving foams, and aerosols.
For domestic flights, there are no restrictions on the amount of liquids in your cabin baggage.
For international flights, liquids may be carried in your cabin baggage provided that they meet the following conditions:
| Condition | Description |
|---|---|
| Maximum volume of liquid | Each individual container* may only hold 3 ounces (100 ml) of liquid and the combined volume of the liquids cannot exceed 1 quart (1 liter). |
| Outer container | All of the liquid containers must fit easily into a clear and resealable plastic bag. |
| Quantity per person | Each person may have only one such plastic bag. |
Please note: Most drink cans and bottles can hold more than 3 ounces (100 ml) and are therefore not permitted beyond security screening.
You may carry on board certain medical and/or dietary necessities for the purpose of personal use during the flight. These items do not require prior authorization or proof of validity, and no prescription or other documentation need be presented.
Generally, acceptable necessities will include:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| All medicine | In quantities sufficient for the duration of the flight |
| Food and nutrition | Necessary baby food and special dietary items, in quantaties sufficient for the duration of the flight |
This exemption is valid provided that airport security screeners do not consider the items to be a security risk.
If passengers purchase items in duty free stores, the items will be placed in a Security Tamper Evident Bag (STEBs). Passengers may carry this bag during travel, if the following requirements are met:
- The STEBs bag must be closed, with no indication of an attempt made to open it
- The bag needs to contain a receipt confirming that the item was purchased either at the airport's duty-free area or on board the aircraft
Please note that the bag must be separated from other carry-on items during safety inspections.
The USA’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has in place requirements regarding powders in carry-on bags for international flights to the United States.
Powder-like substances 12 oz (350 ml) or larger are prohibited in the cabin of the aircraft, with the following exceptions:
- medically prescribed powder-like substances
- baby formula
- human remains
- duty-free purchases which have been placed in a STEBs (Security Tamper Evident Bag)
Powder-like substances are defined as dry particles produced by the grinding, crushing, or disintegration of a solid substance, such as flour, sugar, ground coffee, spices, and cosmetics.
Please note that powder-like substances of any quantity may be placed in checked baggage and transported in the baggage hold area of the aircraft.
There are certain rules about which batteries are permitted and how they can be carried.
Packing and quantity
| Type | Quantity | Packing | Do you need Icelandair approval? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spare batteries (including power banks) up to 100Wh | Max 20 per person | Always pack in carry-on baggage. Pack so as to prevent short circuit.* | No |
| Spare batteries (including power banks) between 100Wh and 160Wh | Max 2 per person | Always pack in carry-on baggage. Pack so as to prevent short circuit.* | Yes |
| Electronics with lithium batteries up to 100Wh | — |
Pack in carry-on baggage if possible. May also be in checked baggage. Devices must be turned off. Passenger must ensure the devices do not accidentally activate. | No |
| Electronics with lithium batteries between 100Wh and 160Wh | — |
Pack in carry-on baggage if possible. May also be in checked baggage. Devices must be turned off. Passenger must ensure the devices do not accidentally activate. | Yes |
| Mobility aids | — | Detach and separate battery where possible. | Yes |
See also the Icelandair reference guide on dangerous goods.
Rules for carry-on baggage
- Lithium batteries can be placed in carry-on baggage, either contained in the equipment or carried as spare batteries.
- Spare lithium batteries must be carried as carry-on baggage and should not be placed in checked baggage. This refers to batteries used for laptops and/or any spare batteries which can be used for the powering of electronic devices, such as cameras, cellphones, camcorders and power banks.
- Since electronic devices with rechargeable lithium batteries can be a hazardous source of ignition, passengers are asked to pack small devices containing lithium batteries in their carry-on baggage.
- If your carry-on baggage is removed from the cabin and stowed in the hold you must declare any lithium batteries before the bag is moved.
Rules for checked baggage
Passengers are requested to pack lithium batteries in their carry-on baggage, but they are not strictly forbidden in checked baggage as long as the batteries are contained in the equipment. Spare lithium batteries should never be placed in checked baggage.
Damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries and/or devices
It is forbidden to carry on board an aircraft any damaged, defective or recalled lithium batteries or devices.
If a damaged, defective or recalled battery or device is noticed to have been carried inadvertently on board an aircraft, the passenger concerned must keep the battery or device turned off, protect it from accidental activation (also disabling any features that may turn it on), keep it on their person, and not charge it at any time.
Immediately inform the cabin crew when a device is damaged, becomes hot, produces smoke, is lost, or falls into the seat structure.
Battery-powered e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, and electronic nicotine delivery systems may only be carried in the aircraft cabin (in carry-on baggage or on your person).
It is prohibited to use these devices during the flight. Recharging of these devices and/or batteries on board the aircraft is not permitted and the passenger must take measures to prevent accidental activation. Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits.
You can only transport hunting gear or sporting weapons as cargo or checked baggage, and solely if they are:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Hunting weapons | Weapons which are used to hunt game, birds, and other animals |
| Target shooting firearms | Firearms which are used for target shooting, clay-pigeon shooting and competition shooting, providing the weapons are not on standard issue to military forces |
| Other recreational or sports related firearms | Including air pistols, dart guns and starting pistols. |
Antique weapons may be accepted, even if they do not comply with any of the above.
The transportation of hunting gear and sporting weapons is only allowed if they are for the personal use of the accompanying person. For more information, read our guidance on the transportation of hunting gear.