I've been hopping onto a flight almost every month for the past two years. One learning I've had is that airport security can be surprisingly unpredictable.
I have carried packets of Meghana biryani from Bengaluru to Bhopal, cartons of mangosteens, freshly milled jowar atta, bananas, mangoes, multiple water bottles and even a coffee mug filled with homemade iced coffee. Most of it made it through without a problem. The jowar atta did trigger a security check because, apparently, it shows up on scanners much like red chilli powder. The one thing that did not make it? An expensive hair mask that Hong Kong airport security promptly confiscated because it was sitting in my cabin bag instead of checked baggage.
After enough airport adventures, a few lessons become very clear. The rules are not complicated, but knowing them can save you money, time and a very emotional goodbye to something you just bought. Recent enforcement by Indian aviation authorities has also become stricter, making it more important than ever to know exactly what belongs in your cabin bag and what does not.
The one bag rule is very real
Most Indian airlines, including IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, follow a fairly standard hand baggage policy. For economy travellers, you are generally allowed:
