Michael Turner
Cabin rule: Each liquid or spray container must be no larger than 100 ml (3.4 fl oz), and all containers must fit comfortably inside a single transparent resealable bag with a maximum volume of 1 litre. Only one such bag is permitted per passenger; items must be presented separately at security screening.
Product type and labeling: Pressurised spray items labelled as flammable (propellants such as butane/propane) are typically prohibited from carry and often restricted in checked baggage. Personal care sprays that are non-flammable and under the size limit are usually acceptable in cabin; larger cans are handled as checked articles but remain subject to hazardous-goods limits and airline approval.
Duty-free and medical exceptions: Duty-free liquids or sprays purchased at the airport may be carried in cabin if sealed in the provided tamper-evident bag with receipt shown at transfer points. Medical inhalers and prescription spray medications are permitted in cabin outside the 100 ml rule when accompanied by supporting documentation; keep prescriptions or a physician’s note available for inspection.
Practical steps: Place essential small sprays in the 1-litre bag; move nonessential or oversized cans to checked baggage; inspect product labels for flammability warnings; keep purchase receipts for duty-free items; consult the carrier’s dangerous-goods information or contact customer service before travel to confirm any size or quantity limits specific to the Dubai-based airline.
Spray containers in cabin baggage on the UAE airline
Allowed: personal non‑flammable spray products must be in containers of 100 ml or less, all fitted inside a single transparent resealable 1‑litre plastic bag and removed for screening at security checkpoints.
Packing rules for cabin carriage
- Individual container limit: 100 ml (3.4 oz) maximum.
- Bag limit: one clear resealable bag per passenger, capacity max 1 litre.
- Presentation: place the resealable bag separately in the security tray for X‑ray inspection.
- Labeling: keep original caps and legible markings; damaged or unlabeled containers increase the chance of confiscation.
Prohibited items and checked‑baggage guidance
- Forbidden in cabin: flammable sprays (spray paint, lighter refills), self‑defence sprays (pepper spray), and any pressurised item classified as dangerous goods.
- If container exceeds 100 ml: transfer to checked hold subject to the carrier’s hazardous‑goods limits – commonly each container ≤500 g and a total net quantity limit (often 2 kg) per passenger; confirm with the airline before travel.
- Medical inhalers and baby formula: allowed in cabin in quantities exceeding 100 ml if accompanied by documentation; declare at security.
Practical recommendations: decant toiletries into travel‑size bottles clearly marked, use protective caps, keep prescription sprays in original packaging with a doctor’s note, and check both departure airport and destination rules plus the airline’s dangerous‑goods page prior to departure.
Permitted pressurized spray types and per-item volume limits for cabin baggage
Allow only personal-care pressurized sprays (perfume, deodorant, shaving foam, hair spray) in cabin baggage when each container is 100 ml or less and all containers fit inside a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre.
Screening rules and medical/infant exceptions
Prescription inhalers and medically necessary topical sprays are exempt from the 100 ml limit but must be presented separately at security with supporting documentation. Baby milk, sterilized water and infant formula may exceed 100 ml if required for the journey; declare these items at the checkpoint.
| Product type | Cabin bag limit (per item) | Checked baggage limit (per item) | Aggregate limit per passenger | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal-care sprays (perfume, deodorant, hairspray, shaving foam) | ≤ 100 ml; must fit in 1‑litre resealable bag | ≤ 0.5 kg (≈500 ml) per can | Max 2 kg total (checked) | Non-flammable formulations only; pack upright and cap valves |
| Medical inhalers and prescription sprays | Allowed beyond 100 ml with documentation | Allowed; advisable to keep in cabin | – | Present prescription or doctor’s note at security |
| Self-defence sprays (pepper spray, mace) | Forbidden | Generally forbidden | – | Prohibited due to hazardous nature |
| Flammable gases and fuel sprays (butane, lighter refills) | Forbidden | Forbidden | – | Do not pack in either cabin or checked; hazardous |
| Compressed gas cartridges (camping gear, CO2) | Forbidden | May be restricted or forbidden; check airline dangerous-goods rules | – | Special approvals sometimes required for checked only |
Packing recommendations
Seal caps and tape spray valves to prevent accidental discharge; place the resealable 1‑litre bag inside a padded toiletry case or lightweight travel cube to reduce crushing. Keep prescription sprays and inhalers in a labeled pouch for quick presentation. For protective travel accessories and roller cases consider options from best luggage brands light weight. For outdoor spray items intended for patio furniture or canopy care consult suppliers at best patio umbrella online stores before planning transport.
How to package and present pressurised spray containers at security checkpoints
Fit every pressurised spray into its original packaging or secure a tight-fitting manufacturer cap; wrap valve joints with tape if the cap is loose.
Place all liquid and spray items together in a single transparent resealable plastic bag (maximum 1 litre / quart-sized); limit to one sealed bag per passenger.
Keep the sealed bag in an outer compartment of the cabin carry-on for immediate retrieval; avoid stowing beneath garments, shoes or electronics.
At the screening point, remove the transparent bag from the carry-on and place it in the X‑ray tray separately; hand any oversized, dented or leaking containers to the screening officer for inspection.
Maintain visible manufacturer labels and hazard symbols; covering warnings or removing caps increases chances of secondary inspection or confiscation.
Dented, leaking or unlabelled pressurised containers should be surrendered or transferred to checked baggage at check‑in; flammable spray formulations are often prohibited in the cabin beyond small-volume exemptions.
For medically necessary sprays, carry supporting documentation and declare the item to security staff before presenting the transparent bag for screening.
Carrying medical inhalers and prescription sprays on the airline
Store all prescription inhalers and medicinal sprays in cabin baggage for immediate access; keep original packaging and a clear copy of the prescription or a physician’s letter listing drug name, active ingredient, prescribed dose, and treatment dates; carry enough for the trip plus a 48‑hour extra supply.
Medical clearance and special equipment
Request medical clearance for oxygen concentrators, pressurised gas cylinders or battery‑powered nebulisers at least 72 hours before departure via the carrier’s medical form (MEDIF) or customer service. Devices that contain compressed gas, liquid oxygen or non‑standard batteries normally require written approval; failure to obtain approval can lead to refusal at check‑in.
Storage, in‑flight use and loss prevention
Avoid placing pressurised inhalers or spray medications in checked baggage because cabin pressure and temperature changes increase leakage and loss risk. Label personal medication with passenger name and contact details. Inform cabin crew when administering doses during flight; crew can assist with disposal of used canisters if necessary. If a prescription is lost, present a scanned copy of the prescription on a mobile device and contact the airline’s local office for guidance about documentation or refill options at the destination. Also verify local import restrictions for controlled substances ahead of travel and carry supporting paperwork when applicable.
For battery‑operated devices bring spare batteries and battery documentation in cabin; lithium batteries must remain in carryable baggage. Keep nebuliser tubing and mouthpieces clean and packed separately in resealable bags to reduce contamination and speed screening checks.
Options if a pressurised spray is refused at security or exceeds carry-on limits
Surrender the item at the security checkpoint or request immediate transfer to checked baggage at the airline service desk or gate baggage counter.
At the airport
If transfer to checked baggage is denied because of volume or packaging, hand the container to security for safe disposal and request a disposal confirmation when available; keep that confirmation for claims or receipts.
When time permits, return the container to a parked vehicle or arrange courier shipment from the airport departures area; contact airport cargo/mail services or on-site couriers for same-day dispatch options.
For high-value or irreplaceable sprays, ask ground staff about gate-checking as an exception with protective wrapping, or purchase an extra checked allowance at the ticket counter and declare the item to baggage staff to ensure compliant handling.
After departure
If leakage or contamination affected a suitcase, treat the item as hazardous waste and follow cleaning procedures immediately; for fabric cases, follow a specialist guide such as how to clean a suitcase with cat pee to remove odors and residue before storing or reusing.
Keep photos of the refused container, any boarding-pass timestamps, and staff names or badge numbers to support reimbursement claims with the carrier or airport authority.
Differences between cabin and checked baggage rules for pressurized spray products
Store larger pressurised spray items in checked baggage where permitted quantities and aggregate allowances are higher; reserve cabin baggage for small personal-care sprays intended for in-flight use, kept in the clear resealable liquids bag and presented at security screening.
Screening, access and enforcement
Cabin baggage screening enforces the liquids rule: each container must meet the permitted single-item volume and fit inside a one‑litre clear bag for X‑ray inspection; oversized containers will be refused at the security checkpoint. Checked baggage items are examined at check‑in and by hold screening systems; certain spray types may require declaration as dangerous goods at check‑in and may be rejected if they exceed the operator’s permitted net quantity per passenger. Items stored in the hold are inaccessible during flight, so any spray required during travel must be carried in cabin-compliant form.
Packaging, permitted types and packing recommendations
Cabin: keep small personal-care spray containers in their retail packaging inside the single clear liquids bag and protect valve caps. Checked: larger pressurised spray containers that meet the carrier’s dangerous‑goods limits should remain in original packaging, have valve protection, be cushioned amid soft clothing and placed centrally in the suitcase to reduce puncture risk. Self‑defence sprays (pepper/CS) and industrial flammable sprays are commonly prohibited in both cabin and hold; non‑flammable toiletries and medical sprays typically qualify under limited‑quantity rules but are still subject to per‑item and per‑passenger aggregate limits. Confirm the operator’s dangerous‑goods page before packing and declare restricted items at check‑in when required.
FAQ:
Can I take aerosol deodorant or hairspray in my Emirates hand luggage?
Yes. Aerosols for personal care (deodorant, hairspray, shaving foam, etc.) are allowed in the cabin if each container is 100 ml (3.4 oz) or smaller and all such containers fit in a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a capacity up to 1 litre. Present that bag separately at security screening. Duty‑free aerosols larger than 100 ml may be carried in the cabin if they are packed in a sealed tamper‑evident bag with the receipt, but rules can vary for transfer flights, so keep the proof of purchase and check transfer requirements. Flammable or hazardous aerosols (for example: spray paint, lighter refills, pepper spray, insecticides, camping gas) are not permitted in cabin baggage. Prescription inhalers and baby formula are exceptions to the 100 ml limit; keep them accessible and be prepared to show supporting documents or prescriptions at security.
What counts as a prohibited aerosol on Emirates and what should I do when travelling through connecting airports?
Aerosols are pressurised spray or foam containers such as deodorants, hair sprays, shaving foams, sunscreen sprays, insect sprays and certain technical sprays. Cabin rules allow small toiletry aerosols only if each bottle is 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less and all bottles fit inside one clear resealable 1‑litre bag. Prohibited aerosols include flammable or harmful substances: lighter refills, butane, spray paint, tear gas, pepper spray and many insecticides. Some of these items are banned in both checked and carry‑on baggage. If you buy aerosols at a duty‑free shop and the container exceeds 100 ml, keep it sealed in the tamper‑evident bag with the receipt; this often permits carriage through security for the same journey, but some transit points (or the final carrier) may apply stricter limits and may confiscate the item on transfer. For checked luggage, international dangerous‑goods rules place quantity limits on non‑flammable aerosols, and airlines may add further restrictions. Before you travel, check Emirates’ baggage and dangerous‑goods pages and any rules at your departure and transit airports. Practical steps: switch to solid or roll‑on products if possible, carry medical aerosols or baby supplies in hand luggage with documentation, and keep receipts for duty‑free purchases handy.
