If you are traveling on a plane, you should know what is & is not allowed in your bag. Click here to learn what not to bring on a plane as well as what you can.
You might be traveling for business or maybe you’re traveling for leisure. Either way, dealing with airports is stressful. There are so many factors that contribute to airport stresses such as finding parking, finding your gate, and getting to the plane on time.
And even when everything goes smoothly, you’re still putting your body under stress until you sit comfortably in your seat. If you want the best experience possible when flying, then you’ll need to prepare in all ways possible for your flight. Get there with enough time to spare, know your gate number, and know what not to bring on a plane.
One of the most common ways that people add on more stress to their travels is by trying to bring items on the plane that aren’t allowed. For a relaxing and enjoyable flight, be sure to continue reading below. Here we list what is and what isn’t allowed in your carry-on bag!
The Importance of Knowing
First, let’s discuss the importance of knowing what is and isn’t allowed. Sure, knowing what you can and can’t bring in your bag on the plane saves you time and stress, but there’s much more to it than that. Carrying items in your bag that are prohibited can lead to fines and even arrests.
Even items that you know are generally allowed can still be subject to extra screening if the item triggers a security alarm in any way. To prevent this from happening, be sure that the item isn’t tampered with or has any other cause for concern. The Transportations Security Administration (TSA) is able to fine travelers with a civil penalty for violating TSA regulations up to $13,333 per fine per each individual.
To avoid this terrible situation, be sure to only bring permitted items with you.
Items Allowed in Your Carry-On
Now we’ll discuss the items that are allowed in your carry-on bag. Some of these items may come as a surprise to you. Items that you thought you couldn’t bring on the plane might actually be allowed.
Flammables
Some flammables are allowed, but some do have special instructions.
- Cigarettes and cigars
- Disposable lighters
- Dry batteries and lithium batteries-100 watt-hours or less within a device are allowed. Lithium batteries with more than 100 watt-hours are allowed with special instructions. You’ll need the airline’s approval first and you’re only allowed 2 spares.
- Phone chargers and power banks
- safety matches and solid candles
- Non-spillable wet batteries-no more than 2 spares are carried on and that each individual battery doesn’t have more than 12 volts and doesn’t exceed more than 100 watt-hours.
Be sure to follow all special instructions given for some of these items.
Firearms
Some firearm items are allowed in your carry-on and are as follows:
- Holsters and riffle scopes- the scope only is allowed.
- Shell casings- the projectile is no longer intact. The primer also needs to be either removed or discharged to be allowed.
No other firearm items are allowed in your carry-on.
Food
Many food items are allowed on the plane in your carry-on. All solids are allowed, and liquids are as well as long as the amount is less than 3.4oz or 100ml.
- Alcoholic beverages- must not be over 140 proof or 70% alcohol.
- Baby food, breast milk, and formula- must be in smaller quantities and will need to be screened separately.
- Bread and bottled water
- Canned food- will go through its own screening.
Any other solid food item that you can think of should be allowed in your carry on.
Household Items
More household items are allowed in your carry on than you think. They’re as follows:
- Airbrushes
- Bottle openers
- Breast Pumps
- Cellphones
- Baby powder- anything more than 12oz will go through its own screening.
- Blenders- with the blade removed.
- Curling irons- with protection
- Bug repellant
- Christmas lights
- Coat hangers
- Clocks
- Coffee makers
- Deodorant
- Detergent
- Duct Tape
- DVD players
- Electric fans and razors
Because the list of allowed household items is so extensive, you can find the entire list here. And always remember to keep in mind that any liquids or gels will need to follow the less-than-3.4oz rule.
Medical
Traveling with medical concerns is stressful. Luckily, a lot of your medical items are allowed in your carry-on.
- Blood sugar test kit
- Canes and casts
- Contact lens and solution
- Crutches
- EpiPens
- External medical devices
- Eye drops
- Inhalers
- All insulin supplies
- Hot/cold packs
- Life vest
- Liquid medications
- Medical marijuana- with special instructions.
- Liquid vitamins
- Medical masks
Much more medical items are allowed, so you shouldn’t feel worried about not being able to take your necessary items with you.
Sharp Objects
Yes, there are sharp objects that are permitted in your carry-on. They’re as follows:
- Cigar cutters
- Crochet hooks
- Knitting needles
- Disposable razors
- Lock picks
- Nail Clippers
- Pencil sharpeners
- Safety pins
- Sewing needles
- Tweezers
- Scissors- less than 4 inches from the pivot point.
You might be surprised to learn that safety pins are allowed on your carry-on. This blog post has more information on traveling with pins, especially if you’re into trading them!
Sporting and Camping
- Air mattress with built-in pump- check with the airline for restrictions.
- Antlers
- Baseballs, basketballs, footballs, soccer balls, bocce balls, and bowling balls
- Bicycle chains and pumps
- Boxing gloves
- Cooler
For more permitted sporting and camping items click here.
Other
Do keep in mind that there are other items that are allowed in your carry-on that aren’t listed here. Take the time to check with your airline or give TSA a call and ask them if an item is allowed if you have any doubts.
Items Not Allowed in Your Carry-On
Although this list is not extensive, here are the major DON’TS when placing items into your carry-on.
Flammables
Here are the major no-gos when it comes to flammables.
- Any non-disposable lighters
- Bang snaps
- Blasting caps
- Butane
- Chlorine for pools
- C02 Cartridge
- Dynamite
- Firecrackers
You should have a good idea of what flammables aren’t allowed, but you can visit a full list here.
Firearms
The only allowed firearm items are holsters and shell casings. With that being said, don’t bring the following:
- Ammunition
- BB guns
- Cap guns
- Compressed air guns
- Firearms
- Flare guns
- Gun lighters and gun powder
- Pellet guns
- Parts of guns or firearms
- Rifles
- Replicas of firearms
- Starter Pistols
As you can tell, airports are strict when it comes to firearms, so don’t take any risks.
Food
All solid food items should be allowed with some minor exceptions.
- Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof
- Live lobsters- check with your airline
That’s it! And remember that anything that’s not a solid will need to be less than 3.4oz.
Household Items
Although many household items are allowed, there are also a few items that are not.
- Axes and hatchets
- Cattle prods
- Cooking spray
- Crowbars
- Drills and drill bits
- Engine-powered equipment with or without fuel
- Hammers
- Gel heating pad
- Mallets
- Magic 8 ball
- Nail guns
- Screwdriver
- Spillable batteries
- Spray starch
- Paint thinner
Remember to always call and ask the airline or TSA if you have any item that you believe might be questionable.
Sharp Objects
Bringing sharp objects on a plane is a risky business. Here’s what you should never bring on the plane with you.
- Box cutters
- Darts
- Corkscrew with blade
- Kirpans
- Ice picks
- Knives, pocket knives
- Meat cleavers
- Sabers
- Safety razors
- Saws
- Throwing stars
- Swiss army knife
- Swords
Sporting and Camping
When traveling for a camping trip, be sure not to take these items with you in your carry-on.
- Airesole insecticide
- Bear bangers
- Bear spray
- Baseball bats
- Bowling pins
- Bows and arrows
- Paddles
- Cast iron cookware
- Cricket bats
- Golf clubs
- Hiking poles
- Any type of sporting sticks
- Kubatons
- Martial arts weapons
- Snow spikes
- Gas cartridges
- Snow cleats
- Spearguns
- Tent spikes
Although this list seems quite long, there are a lot of items that are allowed. You can also check with your airline about placing some of your needed items in your checked bag.
Do You Know What Not to Bring on a Plane?
Do you know what not to bring on a plane? After reading this post, we hope you now have a better understanding of what is and isn’t allowed. Always call your airline or TSA if you have any concerns or questions and make your trip as stress-free as possible!
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