Carrying Photography Equipment on European Airlines

The Essential Travel Hack for Photographers

Carrying photography equipment on European Airlines, especially the budget airlines flying from the UK introduces the unwary photographer to a minefield that can trip up even the most well prepared. We have flown in and out of Europe several times a year over the last decade and we have developed a foolproof method of falling within the baggage allowances whilst also bringing a reasonably sized camera bag for hiking.

But first let’s look at the context.

Carry-On Luggage (Cabin)

Every airline allows you to take a small bag and a “personal bag” in the cabin. The dimensions and weight vary between airlines and be aware that at least one of the budget airlines pays its staff a bonus for spotting passengers who are outside of the carry on limits.

Camera and Lenses

It should go without saying, but never, ever, put your cameras in the hold. Valuable, easy to sell photography kit has an uncanny way of disappearing between check-in and plane. So take cameras and lenses with you as part of your hand luggage.

Depending on the airline, the size of the container is unlikely to match anything but the smallest bag, there are very few backpacks available that match the dimensions stipulated by the airline. One way around this is to put your backpack into your main suitcase and carry the camera in a smaller bag.

Batteries

No airline will allow you to put camera batteries into your hold luggage as they represent a potentially serious fire risk. As rare as it is, a battery fire is extremely difficult to put out and if it happens in the hold of the airplane there are catastrophic consequences. Always take batteries in the cabin where in the unlikely event of them catching fire, the blaze can be isolated and subdued more easily.

Security

This has improved lately but be prepared to be stopped at security and made to take all of your camera gear out for inspection. Allow yourself more time and be patient, in security you are 100% at the mercy of the operator, it’s a thankless task and some don’t respond well to impatience.

Weight and Size Allowances

These are of paramount importance. Look them up for your specific airline and make sure your cabin luggage conforms. If it doesn’t they will take it from you, put it in the hold and charge you a truly extortionate fee for the privilege.

RyanAir for example will allow a small bag measuring 55cm x 40cm x 20cm, with a maximum weight of 10kg to stow in the overhead locker and a small personal bag measuring 40cm x 20cm x 25cm to stow under the seat in front of you. They are utterly inflexible about these measurements, it is not about the volume it’s about the dimensions. To make matters worse, they pay a bonus to cabin staff for every outsize bag they reroute into the hold.

Checked Luggage (Hold)

Ryanair’s hold luggage (checked baggage) can be either 10kg or 20kg, with maximum dimensions of 55cm x 40cm x 20cm for the 10kg bag and 81cm x 119cm x 119cm for the 20kg bag. They are less choosy about the dimensions but weigh the bags and will enforce any required reduction in weight. In our experience, with careful packing these restrictions are not problematic.

Clothes

As irksome as it might seem, if you are pushing the 20kg allowance for your hold luggage then wear the heaviest clothes.

Light Footwear

You will take minimally two pairs of shoes/boots. Wear the heaviest ones, put. the lighter pair in your hold luggage.

Tripod

I have a very light travel tripod, no longer available I’m afraid by Giottos, that fits in my cabin bag but check out the Peak Design Travel tripod for an alternative.

The Ultimate Travel Hack

If you have a modular backpack system like those sold by F-Stop Gear, Shimoda and others, the insert holding the camera and lens is removable and most will conform to the cabin bag requirements. Remove the insert when you get to the airport and put the backpack into your hold luggage. Most use a removable aluminium frame to keep their shape, this can be removed and the bag squashed down to a packable size.

This means you don’t have to spend a fortune finding a backpack that conforms to cabin requirements, there are a few, designed for mirrorless cameras, but you’ll need a bigger backpack if you are going hiking, to carry food, water and spare clothes.

General Tips

Airline Specifics

The luggage requirements do vary between airlines. If you’re flying in from the states beware that changing planes you will have to conform to the smaller luggage requirements. The transatlantic airlines are generous in their definition of cabin luggage. The smaller airlines? Not so much.

Documentation

Carry your essential documentation with you at all times, you will be asked to show it so it needs to be accessible.

Insurance

Insure your equipment for the trip, this is absolutely essential.

Security

Allow yourself plenty of time to navigate security. On a more granular level, make sure you are using a TSA approved lock on your hold baggage. This allows customs agents to open the bag without smashing the lock. Also lock your cabin baggage and keep it within sight/reach when you are in the airport.

Conclusion

Air travel is for most people the most stressful form of travel, a strange environment, hundreds of people, foreign languages, obscure regulations and outrageously priced coffee! Be prepared, give yourself plenty of time and breathe deeply! It’s all manageable.