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Hand Baggage
Updated on 08 Jan 2025

BAGGAGE ON BOARD

Travelling with hand baggage on TAP

Find out what baggage the passenger can take in the cabin and the maximum sizes and weights of hand baggage allowed.

Allowance - Maximum Dimensions and Weight
Hand luggage allowed in the cabin ( adults and children ages 2 and up ):
 

Economy Class

Business Class

Business Class

to/from all destinations

to/from North America

to/from Europe, Africa,

South America or domestic flights

1 item of hand baggage + 1 personal item

1 item of hand baggage + 1 personal item

2 items of hand baggage + 1 personal item

 

Maximum size and weight (regardless of destination)

Hand baggage

 

  • maximum height x length x width: 55x40x25cm / 22x16x10in
  • maximum weight: 10kg / 22lbs

Passengers flying with children and infants can carry their strollers in the cabin instead of hand luggage if it does not exceed the dimensions.

Find out more here.

Personal item

 

  • maximum height x length x width measurements: 40x30x15cm / 16x12x5in
  • maximum weight: 2kg / 4.4lbs

 

What is a personal item?

In addition to the carry-on item, the passenger will be allowed to take one personal item into the cabin, with a maximum weight of 2kg / 4.4lbs:

  • Bags / Suitcases: Handbag, computer case or shoulder bag measuring no more than 40x30x15cm / 16x12x5in.
  • Mobility aid equipment: Wheelchairs, canes, etc. Passengers with reduced mobility may carry up to two pieces of mobility aid equipment, including electric wheelchairs. To ensure space on the plane, however, TAP requires a notice of intent to carry this type of chair up to 48 hours before the flight departure and is also subject to the application of legislation on dangerous goods.
  • Medical devices: upon prescription/prior approval.
  • Duty-Free Shop Bag: A bag that can hold up to 2 bottles of alcoholic beverages or other items (provided they do not exceed the maximum indicated weight).

 

Screening before boarding

Passengers' coats and jackets will be controlled separately from cabin baggage; belts, coins, watches, and other metal objects that are "on one's person" must be removed before passing through passenger screening.

Portable computers, tablets, and other oversized electric devices must be removed from the bag before screening and will be screened separately.

 

Babies and Children - Hand baggage allowed in the cabin:

When travelling with an infant (INF) (less than 2 years old), the passenger may carry as hand luggage the essential items to be used during the flight, according to its duration, as well as all food required, in adequate quantities for the journey, except water, which may be requested on board and heated by the flight crew. When passing through security at the airport, the passenger may be asked to taste the food (soup, yogurt, fruit jars) being carried. 

Car type seat (0-5 years)

To use this type of seat, it is always necessary to book a seat and pay a CHD fare (the fare applies to a child over two years of age, even for babies between 0 and 2 years of age). It is necessary to inform TAP about transporting this type of seat at least 24 hours before the flight. This type of seat can be used by babies and children up to 5 years of age.

Acceptance conditions for car seats on board:

  • The seats must be approved by the authorities in any country for use on aircraft and in motor vehicles and carry a sticker attesting to this (e.g. ECE R44/04, FAA, FMVSS 213 USA CMVSS 213/213 1 Canada, TÜV: TÜV/958-01/2001)TÜV/958-01/2001);
  • The car seat's base must not exceed 40x40 cm (15.7x15.7 in). A separate base and seat is not permitted, and the seat must have restraining belts;
  • It must occupy a window seat next to the child’s accompanying adult;
  • It must not be placed in rows with an emergency exit or in the rows immediately forward or aft of that row;
  • The accompanying adult is responsible for carrying and installing the car seat;
  • If the car seat does not fit safely into the plane seat, it will be stowed in the hold.
NOTE: With the exception of the aforementioned approved car seats, no child seat or toddler bed bag is allowed on TAP airplanes

Pushchairs/Strollers 

Babies or children aged between 2 and 5 yrs can remain in their foldable strollers until they reach the aircraft's door. TAP will take care of the stroller and return it at the arrival of the aircraft at no extra cost. 

Read more information in our article: Babies and Children on Board

 

Where to Store 

 

Under the front seat

In the overhead lockers

 

Wherever possible, passengers should place
hand luggage under the front seat.

If the dimensions do not allow it, or if the pax travels

in the emergency row  or the first row of the cabin

the baggage must be placed

in the overhead luggage compartment.

 

Additional Information

On flights with a very high occupancy rate, or on aircraft serving TAP Express (Embraer 190), it may be necessary to place hand baggage in the hold due to lack of space on board.
In these situations, baggage will be requested from the passenger at the boarding gate and delivered at the destination on the Arrivals baggage belt.

For some destinations, economy class passengers (except GOLD) may receive a notification informing them that their carry-on luggage will be accepted as hold baggage at no additional cost. To do this, passengers will only have to go to the drop-off counters with their luggage and message so that it is dispatched at check-in.

In parallel with this notification to the passenger, there is also an internal notification for the station agents informing which flights have been notified. In the passengers' PNR the key elements FRHB (free handbag) and  BAGW (allowance 1 PC) will be added, to notify  that this piece of luggage can be accepted at check-in as hold baggage free of charge.

Example of a notification sent by email:

 

Booking Reference

ABCD12

 

Dear Mr. / Mrs. [first name] [last name] 

Flight TP1024 from LIS
We hereby inform you that today TAP is offering you free check-in of hand luggage on your flight 1024 LIS MAD, since your flight is full.
Please check in your hand baggage at the drop-off counters before the security area.
By choosing this option, you will have a more comfortable flight.

We wish you a pleasant flight!

TAP Air Portugal

 

 
Charges for Excess 
Hand baggage exceeding the allowed limits

Passengers must confirm beforehand that their hand baggage is within the allowed limits (in number, size, and weight).

In case of exceeding the hand luggage limits in the number of pieces, size, and/or weight, the luggage will be checked into the hold, and a fee will be charged at the boarding gate (see table below), which can only be paid with a credit card.

From 14Feb24

Routes

 

At the boarding gate
Low season1
High season2
Portugal, Spain and North Africa (Including Morocco)

 60 EUR / 70 USD / 92 CAD

70 EUR / 81 USD / 107 CAD

Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Ireland and Italy

70 EUR / 81 USD / 107 CAD

80 EUR / 91 USD / 122 CAD

Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Sweden and flights between Accra and São Tomé

75 EUR / 86 USD / 114 CAD

85 EUR / 97 USD / 129 CAD

Medium-haul flights from/to Africa (Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe) to/from Europe or Morocco

140 EUR / 161 USD / 214 CAD

170 EUR / 194 USD / 258 CAD

Long-haul flights from/to Africa ( South Africa, Angola,and Mozambique) to/from Israel, Europe or Morocco

150 EUR / 172 USD / 229 CAD

170 EUR / 194 USD / 258 CAD

Flights from/to Israel to/from Europe or Morocco

85 EUR / 102 USD / 134 CAD

105 EUR / 123 USD / 163 CAD

Intercontinental Flights from/to America (Brazil, Venezuela, México, USA and Canada) to/from Africa Medium Haul (Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Senegal, and São Tomé and Príncipe)

175 EUR / 199 USD / 265 CAD

195 EUR / 221 USD / 294 CAD

Intercontinental flights from/to America (Brazil, Venezuela, México, USA and Canada) to/from Israel, Europe or Morocco

115 EUR / 134 USD / 178 CAD

135 EUR / 156 USD / 207 CAD

Intercontinental flights from/to America ( Brazil, Venezuela, México, USA and Canada) to/from Africa Long Haul (South Africa, Angola, and Mozambique) or Rest of the World

175 EUR / 199 USD / 265 CAD

195 EUR / 221 USD / 294 CAD

For transactions conducted outside Europe that use different local currencies, the service amount will be converted from the USD fixed price to the local currency (except Canada).

2High season, except to/from Africa MH: 11-Apr-25 to 28-Apr-25 / 15-Jul-25 to 31-Aug-25 / 12-Dec-25 to 05-Jan-26
1Low season, except to/from Africa MH: rest of the year
2High season  to Africa MH (except OXB) : 04-Apr-25 to 20-Apr-25 / 07-Jun-25 to 07-Sep-25 / 06-Dec-25 to 05-Jan-26 (High season)
High season  from Africa MH: 21-Apr-25 to 27-Apr-25 / 07-Jun-25 to 07-Sep-25 / 25-Dec-25 to 05-Jan-26 (High season)
High season  to OXB:  04-Apr-25 to 20-Apr-25 / 07-Jun-25 to 26-Sep-25 / 08-Nov-25 to 05-Jan-26 (High season)
1Low season, to/from Africa MH rest of the year

 
Premium Boarding - Passengers Without Hand Luggage 
Passengers boarding without hand luggage have priority with a special and exclusive boarding zone.

If passengers are carrying hand luggage and it is within the allowed dimensions, they can hand it in at the boarding gate to be transported free of charge in the hold and will have access to the "No Baggage" zone, with priority over other passengers.

Restrictions - Liquids, Medication and Human Ashes
Liquids Transport Restrictions (1)

Passengers are not allowed to carry liquids in their carry-on luggage except when contained in individual containers with a capacity not greater than 100 millilitres or equivalent (100g/3 oz). The containers should be placed in a sealed plastic bag, transparent and resealable. The total capacity shouldn't be more than one litre, i.e 10 x 100ml (per passenger). As a reference, the bag may not exceed  20 cm X 20 cm, and the items must fit in the bag to allow visualization and identification of its content.

Items should fit comfortably inside the bag so that it can be easily closed and the contents can be seen and identified.

The following are meant to be understood as liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs):

  • Paste
  • Lotions 
  • Liquids / solid mixtures 
  • Contents of pressurized containers 

Examples: toothpaste, hair gel, water and other drinks, soups, syrups, perfume, shaving foam, and other items of similar consistency. 

Exceptions:

  • Liquids required for consumption during flights and stay at the destination, intended for medical purposes and with a medical prescription and proof of authenticity;
  • Liquids required during the entire journey, intended to meet special dietary needs subject to a medical certificate 
  • Baby food 

When requested, the passenger must provide or prove the authenticity of the liquid by gustatory or epidermal evidence.

(1)Liquids purchased at duty-free:

COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2015/ 1998 - of 5 November 2015, informs that liquids purchased at Duty-Free at any airport, or air carrier, may be carried as hand luggage when accessing or travelling through European airspace. 

They must be sealed in their own sealed purchase bags, with the inside of the bag displayed as proof of purchase.
These safety bags cannot be opened prior to arrival at the destination unless a security officer requests them for verification. 
In case of a connecting flight, the security officer must be alerted so that liquids purchased from the duty-free shop can be sealed again in a new bag.

Download the leaflet about how to prepare liquids for security control and hand it over to your customers.

 

Medication Transportation Restrictions:                

Some transport restrictions apply only to liquid medicines or those of similar consistency. The passengers must be accompanied by the medical prescription or certificate/statement of the latter, preferably in English, which confirms the need.

Given that many of the passengers have chronic illnesses or need to take medicine for long periods of time, the certificate may have a validity period, or in its absence, it will be valid for two years from the date of emission.

  • Solid medications, such as pills, have no restrictions or require any medical prescription.
  • Injectable medication - Carriage of insulin, needles, syringes and injection pens - No special declaration is required for this purpose. However, passengers are advised to carry documents, such as a doctor's statement or any other suitable document proving the need for the medication during the flight,  to facilitate and speed up security control.

The travel agent must inform TAP that the passenger is carrying these medications, so that information can be entered into the booking for check-in (e.g. if the passenger is travelling with injectable diabetes medication). Syringes must be handed to the crew when boarding and will be returned on the exit.

Any liquid medication contained in a container with a capacity of 100ml or less can be placed inside the transparent plastic bag (per passenger), which can be opened and re-sealed to a capacity not exceeding 1 litre (i.e., with dimensions of 20cmx20cm), and be transported like any other liquid.  

 

Additional Information

They may be carried in the cabin, but their use inside the aircraft is strictly prohibited:

  • Electronic cigarettes;
  • Walkie-talkies / portable radios;
  • Remote-control toys;
  • Wireless equipment for computers;
  • Stereo equipment, including pocket (AM/FM) radios;
  • Portable TV receivers;
  • Bluetooth devices;
  • Selfie-sticks
  • Devices transmitting radio frequencies and similar equipment.
  • Some electronic devices may be used during flight, provided they are in "flight mode" with all communications turned off. They may not be used during takeoff, landing, or whenever the crew requests it.

 

Human Ashes

TAP accepts the transportation of human ashes in hand luggage. The urn must be packaged to avoid spillage. The packaging must be neutral, that is, not letting other passengers understand its content. The passenger is responsible for all legal requirements, e.g., export authorization documentation/import, etc.

Insert an SSR HRIC in the PNR for the passenger who carries the urn and flight segment. The system reply will be:

SSR HRIC TP KK1 1PC URN DIMS 20X30X30CM.MAX DIMS 55X40X20CM /8KG INCLUDED IN BAG ALLOWANCE/S2

where S2 is the flight segment where the ashes will be transported in the hand luggage.

 

For further information regarding restricted or prohibited items, check the page "Prohibited and/or Restricted Goods".                     

If you need clarification or additional information about the transport of this type of item, please read the British Civil Aviation Authority website  or contact our National Civil Aviation Agency  (ANAC) through the following contacts:

Email through the Website: Autoridade Nacional da Aviação Civil

Telephone: +351 21 284 22 26                                                                         

 
 
Specific Restrictions - Brazil | Germany | USA

Traveling to Brazil

If the passenger wants to travel to Brazil and intends to take food and/or animal or vegetable origin goods, you should always check the rules in force in TIMATIC. Here is a link to ANAC Brazil for a quick reference.

Germany: Traveling from Berlin

For flights departing from Berlin, as per measures imposed by airport security, passengers should only transport one piece of hand luggage, and any remaining luggage should be checked in. Prior to arriving at security control, passengers should store all the contents of their pockets within their jacket or hand luggage, and larger electronic items (laptops, tablets, and medical devices), as well as the bag for carrying liquids, should be taken out of hand luggage for security verification."

To/From USA

On flights to and from the United States of America, passengers may be subject to a recheck of carry-on baggage and a detailed inspection of footwear and any electrical and electronic devices they are carrying.

Carrying lighters in both carry-on and hold baggage is completely prohibited for this destination.

On flights to/from the United States, powdered substances weighing 350g or more may not be carried in the cabin, with the exception of prescription products, powdered milk for babies, human ash, or powdered products purchased at airport Freeshops, duly packed in a sealed transparent bag (STEB - Secure Tamper Evident Bag).
However, any quantity may be transported in checked baggage in the hold.

 
 

 

 

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