Taking your lifejacket on board a plane - how to get approval?

[Paddy Fields]

Since there is some clarification in terms of regulation that is effective since 1 January 2019, worth revisiting this old chestnut.

From: https://www.secumar.com/en/can-you-take-your-inflatable-lifejacket-on-board-the-aircraft/

New regulations for the 1st of January 2019
The ICAO has rearranged and clarified the new ICAO T.I. 2019-2020 regulations for passengers and crew members. The 50 ml volume limit (and consequently the 28g limit) for cartridges is therefore no longer applicable to inflatable lifejackets from 01.01.2019. From 2019 inflatable lifejackets can finally be transported by plane after registration.

The transport of inflatable lifejackets in worldwide passenger aviation is now much easier – certainly for the transport of an inflatable life jacket with CO₂ cartridges; however the approval of the operator is still required​

Getting approval from the operator is still going to be a ball ache. Im currently trying to get jet2 to approve - any hints on that would be appreciated.

 

[RupertW]

Just take it. That’s why I have done a few times.

 

[MoodySabre]

Ryanair don't care (in this case about you taking LJs in hold baggage).

 

[Malo37]

I took one auto lifejacket to Greece via BA. The BA website specifically allows lifejackets and there was no problem.
When returning I was stopped at the boarding gate in Athens by a very stroppy BA woman who said I was carrying an illegal electronic device. She demanded I either surrender the lifejacket or I wouldn't be allowed to board the plane. She also refused to give me her name or to give me a receipt for the lifejacket. I complained immediately on arrival at Heathrow and BA refunded the full cost of a new lifejacket (it was an expensive one). As far as I am concerned it was a form of theft.

 

[capnsensible]

Simply unscrew the gas cylinder and put the whole lot in hold baggage. I did this with three airlines a few weeks ago. Iberia azores Airline and Volotea. No bother.

 

[grumpy_o_g]

Unscrew the cylinder and leave it behind. Don't even mention that you have a life jacket with you (it's basically a piece of cloth). Buy a new cartridge when you get there.

 

[Heckler]

Since there is some clarification in terms of regulation that is effective since 1 January 2019, worth revisiting this old chestnut.

From: https://www.secumar.com/en/can-you-take-your-inflatable-lifejacket-on-board-the-aircraft/

New regulations for the 1st of January 2019
The ICAO has rearranged and clarified the new ICAO T.I. 2019-2020 regulations for passengers and crew members. The 50 ml volume limit (and consequently the 28g limit) for cartridges is therefore no longer applicable to inflatable lifejackets from 01.01.2019. From 2019 inflatable lifejackets can finally be transported by plane after registration.

The transport of inflatable lifejackets in worldwide passenger aviation is now much easier – certainly for the transport of an inflatable life jacket with CO₂ cartridges; however the approval of the operator is still required​

Getting approval from the operator is still going to be a ball ache. Im currently trying to get jet2 to approve - any hints on that would be appreciated.

I brought two home a few months ago from Faro on Ryanair. I took the bottles off and kept them with the jkts. Security looked at them, I showed Rayanair guides which I posted on here at the time and didnt have a prob!

 

[[163233]]

The problem isn't typically the airline. Security screening is provided by the airport...

My wife was recently summoned back to security who had decided it wasn't allowed and some discussion ensued, after which, they took it. Then as she was boarding they sprinted up with it and said it was ok.. A newly opened Spanish airport, it's hard to imagine UK security staff acknowledging they'd messed up.

But the airline wasn't involved.

I also got into a discussion with Liverpool security headed for Ireland. The woman was being an arse but I was basically wearing an entire sailing outfit so the bloke with her pointed out she was being daft.

Again, no Ryanair staff anywhere near that.

 

[Paddy Fields]

After a bit of thought, Im going to take the LJ, minus the gas cylinder. When Im on the plane, I will take one of the gas cylinders from the complementary LJ they place under the seats. Or maybe I will just take the whole complementary LJ instead - that will save me from taking my LJ altogether!!

 

[grumpy_o_g]

The problem isn't typically the airline. Security screening is provided by the airport...

Exactly. The problem is the CO2 canister - without you don't even need to mention that you are carrying a lifejacket. The problem is, even with a letter from the airline giving permission, somebody on the airport handling or security side my decide they know best...

 

[langstonelayabout]

Just take it. The international regs allow for one lifejacket of this type plus one refill canister to be put into each persons checked-in bag.

Whatever you do, don't discuss it with the ground staff as they are trained to say 'no' to everything that they haven't been specifically trained in (did you ask them about you carrying your electric toothbrush?).

We've always done this out to Greece with BA, Monarch, EasyJet, etc. No questions. No problems.

 

[Paddy Fields]

Thanks for all the top tips!
Will take it hand luggage, but with the canister removed and placed next to it. On the onset of any grief, hopefully will be able to sacrifice the canister, and not get the actual LJ dragged into the argument.

 

[laika]

Will take it hand luggage, but with the canister removed and placed next to it.

You may be giving yourself unnecessary grief. As previously stated you then have to deal with airport security. I made that mistake once. Travelling turkish to Dalaman I sought permission beforehand. Lots of back and forth emails with customer services with them eventually saying "OK, but tell them at check-in". At stanstead checkin there was a long discussion with them eventually telling me to take it in hand luggage rather than checked. I asked them if they were sure because that wasn't what I was expecting. They said they were. They definitely didn't seem it. Going through security I declared the detached gas cylinder+spare at which point I had security descend on me like a terrorist. I pulled out the IATA rules conveniently downloaded from spinlock's website and printed out. I was accused of carrying "restricted documents" that apparently I shouldn't have and they became more aggressive. I was eventually released, only just catching the plane, after security confirmed my story that the checkin desk had told me to take it in hand baggage.

If you're having problems with jet2 customer services, I noticed this on their website:
https://www.jet2.com/~/media/Jet2/Flights/pdf/Dangerous-goods-prohibitied-items-in-baggage.pdf
...which explicitly approves lifejackets+cyllinders for carriage in hand or checked baggage.

Point customer services at that and ask if it's OK to just put it in your checked baggage. If "yes", detach cylinders, print 2 copies of the email and that pdf. Tape one to the lifejackets in your checked baggage and keep the other in hand luggage. If no response, do the same but just with the pdf.

Aside from that, minimise the number of uninformed individuals who could potentially spoil your day

 

[langstonelayabout]

Thanks for all the top tips!
Will take it hand luggage, but with the canister removed and placed next to it. On the onset of any grief, hopefully will be able to sacrifice the canister, and not get the actual LJ dragged into the argument.

No, Don't.

Please read my above post and put it in your checked luggage. One lifejacket (in operable condition) and one spare cylinder per checked bag are the rules.

Just check it in. Don't talk to anyone about it or you'll worry people who don't have a clue. Their reflex action is to say no. As Laika rightly posted; minimise the number of uninformed individuals who could potentially spoil your day

And the IATA rules document isn't protectively marked, let alone Restricted.

 

[Paddy Fields]

Update on this thread.

Checked my LJ in on a Jet2 flight. The guy on the baggage counter was funnily enough an RYA instructor. He suggested taking the check-in bag to the oversized baggage counter. That way it would get x-rayed and checked in front of you, giving you the opportunity to explain things should the staff have any suspicions. That worked well. The x-ray staff at the oversize baggage counter asked "Lifejacket?", to which I replied "yep". End of story.

 

[Heckler]

Ryanair don't care (in this case about you taking LJs in hold baggage).

Ive said before, early this year I brought two home in the cabin, legally, on Ryanair, just took the bottles off and carried separately in the same bag.

 

[Davy_S]

I have found it cheaper to take the one from under the plane seat, far less hassle

 

[[3889]]

Just take it. That’s why I have done a few times.

^^^
This.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

This subject crops up so regularly I am astonished people are still discussing it.

What is the problem with looking on the airline's website to ascertain what the conditions of carriage are for life jackets?
All airlines carry them afaik and in a career in civil aviation I have never heard of a company that required notification or registration of them as long as they are carried in accordance with the airline's regulations. (Usually one LJ with 1 spare cylinder per pax). What you need to find out is if they can be carried in the cabin or if they must go in the hold.
It is not a problem as long as you do as they stipulate. A life jacket is nothing whatsoever to do with security and if they quibble just ask to speak to the shift manager who knows full well what the rules and limitations of his staff are.

Again, read the airline's website. What can be simpler and more reliable instead of listening to the plethora of wild and sometimes ill-informed advice on this forum?

 

[Paddy Fields]

This subject crops up so regularly I am astonished people are still discussing it.

What is the problem with looking on the airline's website to ascertain what the conditions of carriage are for life jackets?
All airlines carry them afaik and in a career in civil aviation I have never heard of a company that required notification or registration of them as long as they are carried in accordance with the airline's regulations. (Usually one LJ with 1 spare cylinder per pax). What you need to find out is if they can be carried in the cabin or if they must go in the hold.
It is not a problem as long as you do as they stipulate. A life jacket is nothing whatsoever to do with security and if they quibble just ask to speak to the shift manager who knows full well what the rules and limitations of his staff are.

Again, read the airline's website. What can be simpler and more reliable instead of listening to the plethora of wild and sometimes ill-informed advice on this forum?

With respect, a lot of the replies are from people relating their experiences in the matter, which I have found useful. I myself once had to wait for about 1/2 hour for the shift manager to consult with the powers that be about a LJ, before waving me on, so it was far from a simple matter.