The most recent post I could find on this topic was from 2007, so I thought I'd just start a new one. The Heathrow Airport Security webpage says that travelers are now allowed to bring more than one piece through security, so long as the airlines on which the passenger is ticketed allows it. http://www.heathrow-airport-guide.co.uk/security.html

Two days ago, however, I picked up a friend who had just come through Heathrow from Portugal to the US. He carried with him an umbrella and a computer bag. Both TAP and American Airlines would allow this amount of carry-on, he had checked this out in advance. At security in Heathrow, however, he was told he could only bring one item through.

I guess what troubles me is not being able to know for sure what the restrictions actually are. Although my friend thought he had done everything right, he wound up losing a beautiful, expensive sturdy umbrella because the online material was different from the reality at security.

Are there others who have had a recent experience? I'll be connecting in LHR in March and am uncertain how to plan, so I would appreciate your advice. Thanks much, Laurie

http://www.fodors.com/community/air-...s-189625-2.cfm

In addition to the UK specific limitation, I believe AA is also limiting carry-on on all Europe to US flights (with elite/F/J exemptions) http://www.aa.com/viewPromotionDetai...&_locale=en_US

I think it's best to check with your airlines about this. It changes. I think your friend was mistaken in believing that AA would allow him 2 items on his flight to the U.S.. Presumably his TAP flight was within Europe. Different rules apply to flights from Europe to the U.S.

According to the AA website,
"From Europe To The U.S.
Effective immediately, and until further notice, customers traveling on American Airlines from Europe will be <b>limited to one carry-on item</b>. The carry-on item must fit in an overhead compartment or under the seat and cannot exceed 45 dimensional inches/114 cm (length + width + height) and weigh no more than 40 lbs/18 kgs. <b>This limit will apply to customers originating on American Airlines and customers originating on other carriers connecting to American Airlines for flights to the U.S. from Europe.</b>

Exemptions: The normal carry-on allowance of one bag plus one personal item still applies for:

* American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum®, AAdvantage Platinum® or AAdvantage Gold® members
* oneworld Alliance Emerald, Sapphire or Ruby members
* Customers traveling in First Class
* Customers traveling in Business Class
* Customers traveling with PriorityAAccess
* AAirpass members"

I will be travelling through Heathrow several times in the next few weeks. I'll let you know my experience when I get back. I will be flying British Airways, which has announced the following:

"Following the recent introduction of revised security arrangements for all customers travelling into the USA, British Airways is clarifying its hand baggage policy <b>for customers travelling INTO the USA, including those who are transferring onto flights to the USA</b>.

Customers travelling in our World Traveller and World Traveller Plus economy cabins to the USA from Heathrow and Gatwick will continue to take only ONE ITEM OF HAND LUGGAGE.

Customers travelling in our Club World and First cabin to the USA from Heathrow, Gatwick and London City are now able to take the normal two bag hand luggage allowance.

All customers are advised to check-in as normal.

<b>Customers travelling to destinations outside the United States or from the United States are not affected.</b>"

Airline hand baggage rules over-ride airport rules and are normally enforced at security.

OK so I guess the UK specific limitation has been lifted and it's now up to each airline.

Thanks so much, I guess my friend got the information wrong about American's policy. So, one carry-on it is! Laurie

The website the original poster references is NOT published by Heathrow, BAA or any official UK agency.

It's a ripoff commercial website, designed by a company unconected with the airport, merely to get Google-generated ad income. If the information it gives is accurate, that's pure coincidence.

For reliable Heathrow information: www.heathrowairport.com

The short answer is that you have to know the rules of your airlines and all your airports. I was caught once when I knew Heathrow airport security had lifted its one-carryon rule and assumed that Gatwick had too. Sometimes airlines have more liberal limits than the security authorities and vice versa.

This is probably a stupid question, but is a winter coat that is carried or worn onboard considered a carry on item? And if this is the case, in this day of increased security into the US from overseas, would a coat that is carried on be considered the one and only allowable carry on item?

A coat is never considered a carry-on item unless it is packed in a bag.

If it is for security purposes, why do some on the same plane get to carry more because they are in first class etc. Do richer people pose less risk?

Suicide bombers are always interested in saving money. That's why they only fly on one-way tickets, and they always fly in coach.

Security theater is not security.

Sharon, when the one-bag rule is imposed in the UK, all travelers face the same limitations. That's actually true wherever you go. Don't go spreading false rumors. Now paid versus free bags are a different story, and when there are no security limitations in the UK, first-class and business-class passengers can bring more luggage, but not when there's a security crack-down.

AJPeabody .. that's just bizarre, so I don't know what to say in response to that. But I think this conversation probably belongs in the Lounge if you're going to turn the thread in that direction.

Doug, my comment was a bit unartful in pointing out that bag limits in the cabin are not going to stop bombers but will increase the price of flying. Sharon seemed to imply that money spent by rich people may be indicating they are less of a security risk. As I remember, the 911 bombers bought first class tickets.

My own take on bag limits and charges is that any connection to security is false, that is, a form of theater and not true security, with the true effect of increasing the cost and difficulty of travel.

Uumm, boys, I was being sarcastic.

We need emoticons for irony, sarcasm, tongue-in-cheek, and a few others.

I use this for irony! :~ And these days I seem to use it a lot!!! :~ :~

So, since I'm heading to London soon, should I expect to be allowed one carry-on or one carry-on and one personal item when I return.

I'm flying UsAirways and it appears that I'm allowed one and one. Is that overridden by Heathrow's rules instead ?

(Btw, the coat is the secret... if you ever have weight limit problems with a carry-on, put all the heavy stuff... batteries, chargers, etc. in the coat pockets!)

I think it would be unwise to assume you will be allowed 2 carry-ons, and if there is another security incident, you should be prepared to have NO carry-ons. That's how one must plan on traveling these days. And it's unfortunate.

Airlines have their own carry-on requirements and they can vary.

unwise to assume... what a great phrase! I will be prepared to check the carry on and hopefully can take the purse (ie camera bag) without problem. I'll post when I return.

Something that I'm not sure I understood from the above posts, and that's confused me in the past before.....

Many flights have one standard within Europe and another(larger) standard from Europe to America. When taking a flight from Europe to America but with a layover *elsewhere* in Europe, do they permit the E -> A standard, or are they the stricter E -> E requirements?
(sorry to semi-steal the thread....)