En Carry-on baggage: what you can bring without a fuss at security

We've all been there: the night before a flight, with those travel butterflies in your stomach, searching on your phone for the answer to “will this get through?” while trying to pack the perfect bag. And we're not talking about the usual 100-milliliter liquid limit. You know that one by heart. It's the… odd question. The umbrella. The power bank. Whether you can bring an empty bottle to fill up later. The questions that send you — and the whole trip's WhatsApp group — into a spin. The ones aparca&go can help answer. Let's get into them.

Can I bring a 200-milliliter container if there's only 30 milliliters of liquid left inside?

The question of all questions when it comes to liquids. And the answer is NO. What counts is the container's capacity, not how much liquid is in it. So if you have a 200 ml container with just 30 ml of cream left, security still won't let it through. Save yourself the disappointment.

Can I bring an empty bottle or flask?

Interestingly, you can bring a completely empty bottle or flask. In fact, it's one of the handiest ways to avoid buying eye-wateringly expensive water once you're through security. No liquid, no drama.

Can I bring food?

Generally, yes, for personal consumption. Bear in mind, though, that some foods may count as liquids and some countries prohibit certain products from entering. Our advice? Bring small amounts for your own use and check your destination's specific restrictions.

Can I bring liquid medicines in containers larger than 100 ml?

Yes. This is a valid exception when you need them during your trip. Aena does recommend carrying your prescription or supporting documentation whenever possible, though, to avoid problems at security.

Can I put my power bank in my checked bag?

Watch out, because there have been changes here lately: power banks have had to travel in cabin baggage rather than checked bags for some time. But that's not the new development. What's new is that, since March 27, 2026, following a decision by ICAO and IATA, power banks should not be used to charge other devices during a flight. The measure follows a record number of incidents involving lithium batteries on board aircraft recorded by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in 2025. Time to charge your phone using an outlet.

Back to the original question, though, there are exceptions you should know about: batteries rated up to 100 Wh can travel in carry-on baggage without additional restrictions, but those between 100 and 160 Wh require prior airline approval. Anything above 160 Wh? Forget it. Neither you nor anyone else can put those in any baggage under any circumstances. That said, so you don't worry unnecessarily, most everyday power banks fall into the first category. Still, check yours, just in case. And you can't bring more than two power banks on board, whatever their capacity.

What about an umbrella?

This might sound like a silly question to some people, but there are destinations where arriving with an umbrella is a must. Costa Rica, Ecuador, Malaysia and even some European countries have plenty of rainy days. The answer is straightforward: there's no general rule banning umbrellas on planes, since they're not sharp objects or liquids and don't contain a battery. Security staff still have the final say, though. Official lists are a guide.

That doesn't mean you need to turn up at security with Mary Poppins' umbrella: if it has a particularly sharp metal tip or a handle hefty enough to do more than fend off the rain, security officers may decide it stays on the ground. And, of course, use common sense about size too. If your umbrella looks more like a family beach parasol, it probably won't make it through.

The development that could change everything: 3D computed tomography scanners

While we're on the subject of airport security, there's one more thing we want to share before we go. It has a strange name, but it could change your flying experience: Aena is installing scanners that let you go through security without taking liquids or devices out of your bag. The technology, known as EDSCB, produces a three-dimensional image of the contents of your baggage — something traditional X-ray scanners couldn't do accurately enough when liquids or electronic devices were involved.

But hold on! That doesn't mean the rules about what you can and can't bring have changed. You still can't bring liquid containers larger than 100 milliliters or lithium batteries above 160 Wh. What changes is that you no longer need to open your clear bag or take your laptop and cables out of your backpack. You may already come across some of these new scanners at Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca airports. There are only a few here and there for now, though, so it's best to keep preparing your baggage as usual.

In the end, getting through security without drama is less of a mystery than it seems: know what you can bring, pack properly and avoid those last-minute questions that pop up just when you should be heading to the airport. After that, it's about arriving with time to spare and as few loose ends as possible. We'll take care of the car. Now you're ready: passport, phone, power bank — in your carry-on bag — and off you go.