An ex-flight attendant has revealed the surprising list of items passengers can’t take on a plane – and the bizarre objects she’s been forced to confiscate.
Barbiebac La Azafata has seen it all – bags of cash, beach balls, pen knives and extortionately expensive skincare.
And the 32-year-old, who has 4.8m followers on social media, says passengers frequently try and bend the rules.
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“As a former flight attendant, I’ve seen it all at 38,000 feet,” Barbiebac told What’s The Jam.
“But nothing prepared me for the day a man casually opened a plastic supermarket bag, full of US dollars, and asked if it was ok to keep it there.
“I’ll never forget it – this wasn’t some discreet envelope or a money belt.
“It was a wide-open, crinkly bag, filled with what looked like 0,000 in cash.
“No declaration or security alert – just bills floating around with a neck pillow on top.
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“What most people don’t realise is that there’s a 0,000 limit, or equivalent in other currency, when flying internationally.
“If you’re carrying more, you have to declare it.
“Otherwise, you’re risking confiscation, fines, or worse.”
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Barbiebac, who attracted 48,000 views after sharing a video of advice to flyers, advised that passengers should always split their money and travel with both cash and card.
She also suggested that people use a prepaid global card in case their main bank card fails.
Barbiebac’s next tip was to leave the expensive perfumes and face creams at home.
She once saw a woman get really upset after she was forced to throw one of her skincare items in the bin.
Barbiebac said: “I once saw a woman burst into tears because she had to throw away a luxury face cream she’d just bought.
“Why?
“It was in a 150ml container, even though it was half empty.
“Airport security doesn’t care how much product is left.
“If the bottle says over 100ml, it goes straight in the bin.”
Barbiebac said that lots of items passengers regularly travel with are also worth flagging because of the dangers they pose.
She said: ”The average passenger boards a plane with six lithium battery devices.
“That includes phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, even wireless earbuds.
“Lithium batteries are small, but they can catch fire easily, especially if damaged or overheated.
“In fact, they’re now the leading cause of fires onboard.
“As crew, we’re trained to handle it, we have fire gloves, containment bags, the works, but honestly, no one wants to see smoke midair.”
As a final tip, Barbiebac warned passengers that they should not pack knives in their carry-on bags.
She said: “I get it, you’re in Geneva and you spot a beautiful Swiss Army knife and you think, perfect souvenir.
“But I’ve watched passengers get those exact knives confiscated at the security checkpoint and it’s brutal.
“If the blade is over 6cm, it’s banned in hand luggage, full stop.
“If you’re going to buy one, put it in your checked bag, or prepare to say goodbye at the gate.”
Barbiebac, from Spain, recommends always checking on an airline’s website.
She added: “Some passengers think once they’re past security, they’re good to go, but not quite.
“Airlines can ban items even if security allows them.
“A ball, for example, might pass the scanner, but if it’s inflated, the cabin crew can take it away.
“It could expand and pop midair, which isn’t dangerous, but it’s definitely disruptive.
“Check your airline’s website before flying.
“It’s all there, and it could save you from a very expensive mistake.”
