Souvenirs You Can—and Can't—Snag from Planes
We get it: sometimes it's tempting to take home items you're handed during a flight, be it a premium headset or a cozy blanket. But while some things are complimentary, others are considered airline property and are illegal to remove from the plane. The next time you're wondering whether you can bring an item home as a souvenir, just refer back to this article. Here are 10 things you can't take from planes—and 10 you can.
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1. Blankets
Unfortunately, those airplane blankets that your flight attendants hand out to you aren't for you to keep, so don't try to toss them in your carry-on before you hop off the plane. Instead, you'll need to leave these covers on your seat to be collected by the staff.
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2. Pillows
Just like the blankets, pillows handed out during the flight aren't meant to be keepsakes—and you probably wouldn't want to take them home, anyway. Make sure to leave them on your seat before you disembark.
3. Bathroom Products
Unless you're okay with taking home the germs of hundreds of thousands of passengers who have touched those items in the lavatory, leave the soaps, lotions, and napkins where they are. They're intended for general use, and aren't up for grabs.
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4. Safety Card
You might think it harmless to take home the safety card, but these manuals aren't there for you to nab. Not only are they properties of the airline, they're also there for reference for passengers should there ever be an emergency. Don't remove these cards from their pockets.
5. Life Jacket
Another safety item you mustn't take? Oxygen masks and life jackets. You might find it unthinkable to take these, but you'd be surprised—it happens more often than you'd expect. To make it clear, safety equipment should never be removed from its position unless you're given explicit instructions to do so by the flight attendants during an emergency. Taking them is illegal and could result in hefty fines: these items are expensive to replace.
6. Beverages
Finish your beverages when your flight attendants come around with tea, coffee, and soda. They'll be collected before landing regardless, and you probably wouldn't want to keep them on your tray table for long periods of time, anyway. Don't try to take these drinks with you—you'll only create a mess.
7. Premium Headsets
If you're given premium headsets in first or business class, these are most likely non-disposable and can't be taken home by the passengers. However, different airlines have different rules, so if you're curious, you can always ask to make sure.
8. Entertainment Tablets
You may also be given entertainment tablets in first and business class. As nifty as these are, though, they're properties of the airline, so don't try to nab them from the plane. Flight attendants count them, so they'll know immediately if one goes missing.
9. Premium Cutlery
While you can safely take home single-use or plastic cutlery, metal or stainless steel spoons and forks should not be removed from your tray. These are properties of the airline, and taking them would be considered theft.
10. Anything from the Catering Cart or Galley
It should go without saying, but don't try to nab anything from the flight attendants' catering cart or the galley. Even if you really liked a particular beverage or snack, you can always ask for seconds—but don't help yourself to it.
Wondering what you're allowed to take from planes? Read on for some freebies you can safely take home:
1. In-flight Magazines
In-flight magazines aren't just there for you to flip through when you're waiting for your flight to take off—they're there for you to take home, too. Well, that is, if you can even find any copies on your plane. Many airlines, such as US-based ones, have already gotten rid of them.
2. Amenity Kits
If you're given any amenity kits that include toothbrushes, earplugs, eye masks, and moisturizers, these are yours, and you don't need to hand them back at the end of the flight. First and business class passengers are more likely to get these freebies, but they're sometimes handed out in economy during long-haul trips, too.
3. Slippers
Another freebie you might get on a long-haul flight is slippers. It goes without saying that these can be taken with you when you climb off the plane, whether or not you choose to open the package and wear them in-flight.
4. Sleepwear
If you're in first or business class, you might be given a set of sleepwear to change into so you have a more comfortable in-flight experience. Rest assured that you won't need to give your pajamas back—they're yours to keep.
5. Leftover Snacks & Food
Can't finish the snacks served to you on the plane? Don't worry—if they're packaged, you can put them in your bag. Just be careful if you're flying internationally: some countries may have different regulations, and you don't want your leftover food to cause any delays or trouble for you.
Yun Huang Yong from Harbord, Australia on Wikimedia
6. Disposable Headphones
Those headphones that are handed out for you to enjoy the on-board entertainment system? They can be taken home with you as a keepsake if you'd like. You can even bring them with you on your future flights, so you don't need to grab a new one each time. Just be careful, though: some airlines may have different rules and policies, so always ask a flight attendant before you take a headset with you.
Pan American World Airways System on Wikimedia
7. Sanitizing Wipes
You might be given sanitizing wipes and gel when you're served your in-flight meal. It goes without saying that these are for your own personal use, and you don't need to return them, even if you don't use them immediately. Warm towels, however, if those are handed out on your tray, shouldn't be taken.
8. Single-Use Cutlery
If you want to keep the plastic, single-use cutlery you're given during your meals, you can—although it might be a hassle to. You can even bring your own cutlery if you want; you'll just need to be careful with sharp points, like forks and knives, in which you'll likely only be allowed to bring plastic or wooden versions.
9. Anything Complimentary
Anything that's given to you for free by the airline is exactly that: complimentary. Aside from items like pillows and blankets, almost everything else your flight attendants hand out—amenity kits, slippers, snacks—can be safely taken home.
10. Duty-Free Items
It also goes without saying that any duty-free items you purchase on board are yours. Just be careful if you're hopping on a connecting flight—you don't want to break the seal on the item and toss out the receipt as soon as you land.
