Prague Airport checks every piece of baggage handled to ensure a smooth check-in process. There is no international standard stipulating the sizes and dimensions of checked and cabin baggage. The rules and regulations observed by individual airlines vary to make the rules applicable to different travel classes, destinations, and distances travelled. Please get in touch with your carrier for further information.
Checked Baggage
Passengers with baggage are to be checked in at a check-in desk at the start of their journey through the airport. Find the number of the check-in desk handling your flight or flights operated by your carrier on the information board. Proceed to the desk to drop your baggage off there. Your checked baggage allowance limits are provided in your ticket and information materials published by your airline. Please check the information in advance. Baggage allowance limits of individual air carriers vary.
Cabin Baggage
Most airlines allow passengers to bring carry-on items on board. Please check the carry-on baggage allowance limits with your carrier, as cabin baggage allowance limits of individual air carriers vary.
To comply with safety standards, you should thoroughly check all carry-on items.
Baggage Transport Tips
- Use baggage tags with your name and address, telephone number being optional, on all bags.
- Pack valuables, important documents and medication in carry-on items.
- Lock and possibly wrap your bags.
- Remove name and baggage tags from previous trips to lower the risk of wrong delivery.
Items Prohibited/Allowed in Baggage
On most occasions, you can transport items prohibited from transport in the aircraft cabin in your checked baggage. However, it is prohibited to transport explosives, flammable and combustible substances and devices that pose a risk to the health of passengers and crew and/or the safety of aircraft.
Items Prohibited from Transport in Checked Baggage
- Ammunition
- Detonating Fuses
- Detonators and Ignition Devices
- Mines, Grenades and Other Military Equipment Containing Explosives
- Fireworks and Other Pyrotechnic Devices
- Smoke Bombs and Smoke Grenades, Dynamite
- Gunpowder and Plastic Explosives
We recommend you read thoroughly the list of items prohibited from transport in checked baggage before you set on your journey.
Transporting Firearms and Ammunition
The transport of armed persons aboard civil aviation aircraft is prohibited unless it is a transport of armed persons under a special legal regulation valid in the Czech Republic or a transport subject to special authorisation or permission by the Ministry of the Interior. The act regulates the export, import and transit of firearms and ammunition No. 119/2002 Coll. on firearms and ammunition, as amended.
Passengers must declare the transport of firearms and ammunition to the air carrier and the Police of the Czech Republic, respectively, in advance. The security control of the declared firearms and ammunition, including inspection by the Police of the Czech Republic, is commonly performed within the area of oversized baggage counters of the respective terminal building.
Detection Controls Inside Checked Baggage
In line with the current EU legislation, security control workers perform detection control inside checked baggage to increase passenger safety. As a part of the process, selected pieces of baggage may be opened and physically checked for trace elements of explosives. The procedure has been implemented to protect passengers and prevent loading explosives in aircraft cargo holds.
The Course of Physical Inspections
Physical inspections are subject to very strict safety measures. Thanks to cooperation with baggage manufacturers and manufacturers of safety locks, airport workers can open most baggage without damaging it.
The entire process takes place under uninterrupted camera surveillance, and detailed records of every inspection are kept.
A note is placed into each inspected piece of baggage with a description of the inspection and instructions for the next steps if necessary.
Passengers are notified that their baggage was subjected to a control by a protective foil and branded adhesive tape securing the baggage after the control.
Steps to Be Taken Upon Baggage Damage
Certain ways of securing baggage (integrated baggage locks without TSA) may cause it to get damaged during the opening process. If a piece of baggage is not relocked after the inspection, it will be secured using branded safety straps with the Prague Airport logo and protective foil.
We ask passengers to contact the baggage claims counter at their final destination if their baggage gets damaged in transport and fill in a report on the damage with the counter worker. The report will contain a reference number and contact details for follow-up communication with your air carrier. If you decide to claim damages at a later date (e.g. if you notice the damage after you have already left the airport), you will need to contact your carrier directly, but no later than seven days from the date of your flight (in line with Council Regulation (EC) No. 2027/97).
Preventing Baggage Damage
To prevent baggage damage during the explosive trace detection process (ETD), please secure your baggage using TSA locks (marked with a red diamond sign) or other securing baggage options, shrink-wrapping or standard padlocks, which can be cut without damaging the baggage.