Is there a "one-bag" rule or not?
 

There seems to be conflicting information about this.

Are we restricted to one carry-on bag only all throughout Europe? Or is this only being enforced at Heathrow?

Anyone who has traveled in the last month, please relate your experience.

I only traveled to/from LHR to/from Italy. Italy does not have a one carry-on bag rule but upon landing back at LHR, I had to stuff my purse back into my **one** allowable carry-on to get through security.

All of United Kingdom.

<i>All of United Kingdom</i>

So it's not just Heathrow, but Luton, Gatwick, etc..?

It is one bag <i>through security</i> at every UK airport.

The plans are for this to be implemented throughout western Europe in the Fall - but that has been delayed once already.

The UK - all the UK - has had a one bag rule since last autumn. There are websites that refer to Heathrow only, but they're simply wrong, have been wrong since last autumn and you might reflect how reliable they are about anything if they're as sloppy as this about a basic fact of international travel.

The UK one bag rule is robustly implemented. But it refers to the one carry on basg you can take through security. You may also, if the airline allows it, take on board whatever you buy after security.

The EU has put a proposal to extend this rule to the rest of the EU out for consultation. Discussion of the results of this consultation is due in December this year: any new rule would be implemented in May 2008. The EU Transport Commissioner, announcing this, used language that seems top imply he thinks the decision's already made.

Some airlines (and not just El Al) have more restrictive policies than the airports themselves, so you shouold always check your airline's policy.

All passengers transitting through the UK need to go through security in the UK, and therefore are subject to the one-bag rule.

It's been a bit more than a month, but the one-bag limit was most definitely enforced when in transit at Heathrow. One pre-security person yelled down the hall to me regarding the limit until she realized I was also carrying my wife's bag.

It was not an issue in Spain at that time (Granada &amp; Barcelona airports)

&lt;&lt; It's been a bit more than a month, but the one-bag limit was most definitely enforced when in transit at Heathrow. &gt;&gt;

We experienced this last month at Heathrow. Very strict.

Woody

Air france did not so this on my way to India but enforced it on my way home last year. I had to open my suitcase and shove my handbag in after i empried it. Its such a pain but each airline i believe can make their call.

The Heathrow airport enforces the one bag rule to go through security.

Woody

One bag rule at Glasgow.Had thought small hand-bag was allowed over the carry on bag but had to squeeze everything into 1 at security.

Just to reiterate - the one bag through security applies at ALL UK airports

BUT the defintion of one bag is a single container - so you can stuff all your bags in another bag - even a large plastic bag - and as long as it fits the frame, it's one bag.

One other thing to note, the maximum size allowed at Stansted Airport is 55x40x20cm which is two thirds of the size allowed (56x45x25cm) at any other UK airport.

Did NOT have a one-bag rule in Greece. But it can also depend on your airline, which may have its own rules.

So if I can combine two small carry-on bags...like my camera bag &amp; another small tote...into one bag, then that will get me through security?

And I can use a plastic bag, or a shopping bag of some sort?

Yep - I just flew out of Stansted a couple weeks ago, having put both my messenger bag and day bag into a duffel. As long as the duffel (or whatever) fits carryon size and weight restrictions, you're fine. I've never tried it with a shopping bag, but others seem to think you'd be fine.

Flights from Frankfurt back to the US were restricting passengers to 1 bag only, on June 6th at least. My sister and parents flew back that day and my sister had to cram her handbag into her carry-on.

Flights from Brussels back to the US were not enforcing the rule. I had my across-the-body purse as well as a small backpack. Nothing was said by security.

On June 10 the Franfurt airport was not restricting the one bag rule. Everyone got through screening with 2 bags. I was prepared to put my handbag into my carry-on, but it was not necessary. So I suppose it's according to the person at the screening booth.

Hi Jim. On my trip to and out of Gatwick/London to Ismir and the Greek Islands (quoted by travelers) you can have 2 bags checked 50lbs/23k and 1 with you and 1 laptop/notebook only. I left May19 and returned June18. I had to repak at Charlotte to a larger carryon and thank God I packed it inside my larger suitcase in case. Hope this helps.