Avoiding the Grinch: Christmas carry-on dos and don’ts from travel experts

Brisbane, Australia, 17 December 2025  – As airport crowds swell for the festive season, business travellers are becoming increasingly reliant on travelling with just hand luggage to minimise the logistical juggle and airport queues.

Recent data from luggage-service provider LugLess said that 71 per cent of its travellers now avoid checking bags entirely, helping them avoid wait times, queues, and the hassle of wheeling extra baggage.^[1]

Tom Walley, Global Managing Director of Corporate Traveller, the flagship SME division of Flight Centre Travel Group, said that avoiding checked luggage removed a layer of complexity from the travel process for those on business and bleisure trips over the festive season.

“Frequent business travellers have the airport routine down to a fine art, but Christmas time always brings larger crowds and longer lines,” Mr Walley said. 

“We’re going to see many business travellers taking advantage of the domestic and Trans-Tasman trips to catch up with friends and family afar during the festive season, and they’re telling us they’ll stick to carry-on luggage to streamline the process.

“Festive bleisure travel will bring with it a different look for what’s in people’s suitcases, so knowing what you can and can’t have on board will be an important consideration.”

Mr Walley said it is essential to understand what you can and cannot travel with, particularly on board, to avoid being held up by security checks, having Christmas presents confiscated, or worse. 

He has given the dos and don’ts for domestic Christmas carry-on travel:

What you cannot take in your carry-on

• Strictly no party poppers or sparklers, Christmas crackers or bonbons in your carry-on luggage
• Consider the toys you are purchasing as Christmas presents for children, because anything that resembles a weapon, such as fake guns, is banned
• Some sporting equipment, like golf clubs, baseball bats and hockey bats, cannot be brought on board, and will need to be checked in
• It will come as no surprise that sharp objects are out, so leave the carving knife and darts set at home.

What is approved for carry-on travel 

• Alcohol, the fool-proof Christmas gift, is permitted as carry-on for domestic flights, but must be in retail packaging and at a maximum of 5L per person. But save it for your arrival, because travellers are not permitted to open their own alcohol on board the plane. It is a different story for internationally bound carry-on luggage, which is limited to 100ml or 100 grams, or 2.25L of duty-free alcoholic beverages per person
• Balls, balloons, and inflated toys are allowed onboard, but must be partially or fully deflated if carried in the cabin
• You can have one heated hair curling or straightening iron per person in your carry-on bag, with the safety cover securely fitted over the heating element. They must not be used on board the aircraft at any time
• Domestic flights are not subject to restrictions on powder, liquids, aerosols, or gels, but aerosols must have a fitted cap or be a locked device. That means you are safe to travel with the Christmas pudding and other foods, and any cosmetics or gifts of any size when travelling within Australia. But, be warned, these requirements change significantly as you take your carry-on internationally
• You can take spare alkaline batteries and items with batteries in them in your carry-on. But lithium-ion batteries 100WH+ require airline approval before travel. Your standard AA and AAA batteries are safe for carry-on travel.

What to be wary of

• Wrapped gifts are allowed in carry-on luggage, but leaving presents unwrapped until you get to your destination is ideal, as airport officials may need to open wrapped presents for security reasons
• Power banks and portable chargers are welcome in your carry-on, but recent rule changes may stop you from using or charging them in-flight. Always keep them within reach in your cabin bag, never in the hold. Make sure to check with your airline for the latest rules, as they may change over time^[2]
• Duty-free items bought after security at an Australian airport can be taken on board as long as the tamper-evident bag stays sealed. But if you’re travelling internationally, note that rules vary overseas, so items can still be rechecked during transit. For example, a bottle of perfume bought in Sydney may be reassessed against Singapore’s security limits when you connect through Changi Airport
• Domestic and international flights vary as to what can and cannot be taken on board, so be sure to keep an eye on your carrier’s requirements, and those of the countries you are arriving and departing. If you are travelling domestically but departing from an international terminal (such as Terminal 1 in Sydney or Terminal 2 in Melbourne), you will be subject to international restrictions, notably strict regulations on powders, liquids, aerosols, and gels.

*Always check the requirements of your carrier and the Home Affairs website before travelling.

_{[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250617837060/en/71-of-Travelers-Now-Avoid-Checking-Bags-as-Growing-Rebellion-Against-the-Airport-Experience-Continues-New-LugLess-Survey-Reveals}

_{[2] https://www.corporatetraveller.com.au/en-au/resources/news/flight-centre-travel-group-releases-safety-guide-airlines-announce-new-restrictions}