Can You Take Shaving Razors on a Plane?
Packing your wash bag before a flight can be a last minute rush before your leave for your travels. You end up second guessing what items and sizes are allowed. Can you take a full tube of shampoo? Can I carry on aerosols? And not to be forgotten, Can You Take Shaving Razors on a plane?
In short, yes. Most airlines will allow you take cartridge razors on to a plane in your hand luggage – for example the Smartshave SB or Smartshave BB.
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority states that ‘Fixed-cartridge razor blades (disposable razors)’ are allowed in both hand and hold luggage – GOV.UK.
Actually, finding out wasn’t so easy. Getting a simple reply on this question from various airlines and air travel authorities proved to be a little difficult, with online response times sometimes taking hours rather than minutes. But we got there in the end.
A key distinction is made between different types of blades: the cartridge such as a Gillette Mach 3 or Fusion 5 versus safety razor blades, namely the traditional flat blade that is not protected by a plastic casing. In general, you can take a cartridge blade with you in your hand luggage, but not a safety razor blade.
Here are a few representative responses we can share:
British Airways: the scheduled airline
Sharp Object allowed in hand and checked luggage: “Disposable and cartridge razors (not loose blades)”
Easy Jet: the low cost carrier
Sharp Object allowed in hand and checked luggage: “Razor blades are only allowed in the cabin if they’re set in plastic.” This would allow all Gillette cartridge blades but not safety razor blades.
Gatwick Airport: the airport
Luggage Guidance: “Razors that have the blade set into a plastic moulding are allowed in hand baggage, but other types are not.”
Transportation Security Administration (USA): the aviation authority
Disposable Razors “are permissible in carry-on luggage with the blade and replacement cartridges.” Safety Razors: “Because the razor blades are so easy to remove, safety razors are not permitted in your carry-on luggage with the blade.”
Air France: not forgetting the cut-throat
Sharp objects that cannot be taken on as hand luggage: “Straight razors (except safety or disposable razors with blades enclosed in cartridges)”
American Airlines: a surprising definition
Cutting instruments guidelines: “You can travel with plastic cutlery and safety/disposable razors in your carry-on bag.”
We obviously haven’t checked every airline, but we conclude you are going to be ok taking a Smartshave razor with you in your hand luggage. Thank heavens for that.