Can you fly with a Swiss Army knife from Beirut?

This is the question that costs people a knife, usually at the security line, usually when they had forgotten it was on their keys.

Hand luggage: no

Bladed tools are not permitted in the cabin on departures from Beirut–Rafic Hariri International, and the rule is applied to the whole category rather than by blade length. A 58mm Classic SD is treated the same as a 91mm Huntsman. If it is in your cabin bag at the checkpoint, you will be asked to surrender it, and surrendered items are not returned.

Checked baggage: yes

In the hold it is fine. Put it in your checked bag before you leave for the airport, not in the queue.

The trap: a knife on your keyring

A Classic SD lives on a keyring, and keys go in a pocket, and the pocket goes through the scanner. Almost every knife lost this way is lost by someone who simply forgot. If you carry one daily, take it off the ring the night before.

Travelling to other countries

Rules differ at the other end, and transit counts. Some destinations restrict carrying a blade in public regardless of flying. Check the rules where you land, not only where you depart.

If you only fly hand luggage

Victorinox makes bladeless models — the Jetsetter and the Rally family carry scissors, a screwdriver and a bottle opener with no knife. Rules still vary by airport, but these are the ones designed for the problem.

Browse the range in Victorinox, or ask on WhatsApp and we will tell you whether a specific model has a blade.