CARRY-ON LUGGAGE RULES: WHAT IS (AND ISN’T) ALLOWED ON A PLANE
To check or not to check? That is the eternal question, even for the most seasoned traveler. Is it better to stow a suitcase in the plane’s belly and risk the airline losing your luggage or cram everything into a carry-on and hope to avoid airport security issues? And what are those carry-on luggage rules, exactly? From the TSA liquid limits to sharp everyday objects like tweezers to heavy objects—what exactly is deemed dangerous enough to get your luggage flagged?
As a travel writer, I’ve had more than my fair share of interactions with TSA screenings. I once lugged a marble bust weighing at least 40 pounds—a flea market find—through security. I was worried that the sculpture’s weight could pose a safety risk, especially as security officers gathered around the X-ray to investigate the unusual object on the screen (in the shape of a Greek athlete’s head), and my mind raced to figure out shipping options from the airport. Luckily, there was no problem—the officers were simply placing bets on what it could be! On another occasion, I had to toss a new bottle of cologne because its volume exceeded the TSA limit for liquids. Recently, I asked a TSA officer inspecting a taxidermy bird I was transporting home what was the strangest thing he’d ever seen in a carry-on bag. I wasn’t expecting his answer: a human skull. It turned out the skull was the property of an instructor who used it for teaching, and the man was cleared to continue on his way.
The rules about what is and isn’t allowed in a carry-on bag can seem like a maze, but they are in place for a very good reason: to keep you, other passengers, and the crew safe. Many of the current TSA restrictions were implemented after the 2001 September 11 terrorism attacks in New York City, and those were further tightened several years later with limits on liquids after British authorities foiled a plot to bring down aircraft with liquid explosives in 2006. Although some rules have since been relaxed, others remain strict.
We gathered the most current TSA carry-on regulations and spoke with security and travel experts about what’s currently allowed on flights—and what’s absolutely verboten. Read on to avoid having your belongings confiscated by TSA, and fly through security hassle-free.
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What are the airlines’ carry-on luggage rules?
Unfortunately, there’s no one easy answer to this question. Each U.S. airline sets its own carry-on size and weight limits. Complicating the issue, the TSA is actually only concerned with the contents of bags, not their size.
Most airlines have a maximum size limit of 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (including wheels and handles), but these measurements aren’t universal. Standard tickets on some budget airlines may restrict passengers to a “small” personal item, such as a purse or laptop bag in the cabin, with no carry-on allowance unless you pay for it. Other carriers also control both the size and weight of items brought on board.
To avoid any surprises, always check with your airline before traveling. Here’s a quick look at the current carry-on rules for several of the most popular carriers in the United States:
American Airlines
- All passengers get one personal item and one carry-on luggage, regardless of ticket type.
- A personal item must fit under the seat in front of you and must not exceed dimensions of 18″ x 14″ x 8″.
- Carry-on bags cannot be larger than 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
Delta Airlines
- Passengers are allowed one piece of carry-on luggage as well as one small personal item, such as a purse or small backpack, that must fit underneath the seat.
- Measurements of carry-on bags cannot be larger than 22″ x 14″ x 9″, and the total length plus width and height must not exceed 45 linear inches.
JetBlue
- As of September 2024, all JetBlue passengers are now allowed one personal item and one carry-on bag.
- Personal items must be no more than 17″ x 13″ x 8″, while carry-ons must submit to the standard 22″ x 14″ x 9″ dimensions. There are no weight restrictions for carry-on bags.
Southwest Airlines
- Every passenger gets one carry-on and one personal item.
- Carry-ons can go up to 24″ x 16″ x 10″, including wheels, handles and attachments.
- Personal items should fit under the seat. A pet carrier is counted as a personal item or carry-on bag.
United Airlines
- Passengers are allowed one personal item and one carry-on bag.
- Maximum carry-on dimensions are 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
- Personal items are limited to 17″ x 10″ x 9″.
What is and is not allowed in a carry-on bag?
While TSA carry-on rules don’t dictate the overall size of your cabin luggage, their guidelines do cover in detail what’s allowed inside. Perhaps the key rule to remember when going through airport security checkpoints is the “3-1-1 rule” for liquids, which restricts the quantity and size of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes in your carry-ons. Anything of this nature must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per container, and all liquid items must fit in one transparent, quart-sized bag. This applies to everything from hand sanitizer to face creams to some snacks (yes, even peanut butter!). There is a limit of one quart-sized bag per passenger.
“Keep this bag accessible by packing it last in your carry-on so that it’s at the very top near the zipper,” advises Gabby Beckford, solo female travel expert and founder of Packs Light, who has traveled to over 50 countries, often with just a carry-on. “Solid toiletries like shampoo bars or toothpaste tablets can reduce liquid items altogether, too.”
The TSA’s other carry-on rules are generally pretty intuitive, but there are exceptions and surprises. Take a look at this quick overview, and for specific items, check out TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page.
Allowed: Breast milk, baby food and formula
Many parents don’t know they can bring breast milk, baby food and formula in amounts greater than 3.4 fluid ounces when flying, as these liquids are considered medically necessary. All breast pump equipment and cooling accessories, such as ice packs, are allowed in carry-ons, and the TSA recommends that “breast milk be transported in clear, translucent bottles and not plastic bags or pouches.” The items need to be a reasonable amount, and the TSA allows their transportation even if the parent or guardian is not traveling with their child. Travelers must, however, inform the TSA officer at the beginning of the screening process if they are carrying such items.
Allowed: Medicine
Feel free to pack essential medications in carry-ons, such as pain relievers, antibiotics and insulin. According to Elizabeth Trattner, a licensed alternative medicine doctor, bringing these items “will save you a ton of money if you get sick while traveling,” and a health kit when going abroad is a must, especially if you have children. You can even take medically necessary liquids, gels, aerosols and pastes in quantities larger than the standard 3.4 fluid ounces, but you must declare these items at security for additional screening.
Allowed: Gel ice packs
Certain carry-on items may need to be kept cool, and it may come as a surprise that the TSA says it’s okay to bring gel ice packs through checkpoints at airports “as long as they are frozen solid when presented for screening.” But there’s a caveat: if “partially melted, slushy or have any liquid at the bottom of the container,” they must adhere to the 3.4-ounce liquid rule. An exception is made for reasonable quantities of medically necessary gel packs, which can pass through security even if they are melted or slushy, though travelers should inform TSA officers when going through security.
Allowed: Tweezers and nail clippers
Tweezers and nail clippers are both allowed in carry-on luggage, but TSA advises that objects like these should be securely wrapped or sheathed to protect checkpoint security staff from injuries during the screening process.
Allowed: Snacks and some food
Airport shops and restaurants are infamous for charging exorbitant prices, so smart passengers know to bring their own snacks. TSA permits cookies, dried fruit, chocolate and other types of snacks and solid foods—including cooked meat and even eggs (both raw and hard-boiled!)—in carry-on bags. But any items in cream, gel or liquid form, such as jam or salsa, must be in containers 3.4 fluid ounces or less to pass muster. Things change if you’re flying internationally (more on that below).
Allowed: Cowboy spurs
Yeehaw! Great news if you’re returning home from a rodeo or good ol’ Texas hoedown: TSA has no restriction on cowboy spurs in hand luggage.
Allowed: Lighters
Passengers are allowed up to two lighters with fuel in a carry-on. Lithium battery-powered electronic lighters and e-lighters are also good to go, provided they’re not charged onboard and precautions are taken to prevent them from activating. Each lithium-ion battery is prohibited from exceeding a rating of 100 watt-hours, and each lithium metal battery must not contain over two grams of lithium content.
Allowed: Coffee beans/grounds and thermoses
Coffee fiends and afficionados can breathe easy: TSA has no problem with bringing through security almost everything related to America’s drink of choice. Beans and grounds are perfectly fine as are the machines to prepare cups of joe (just not on the plane!) and thermoses.
Allowed: Bowling and bocce balls
Sports equipment that can be used to bludgeon, such as bats and clubs, are not allowed on board as carry-on items. Despite their weight, bowling and bocce balls are on the approved list of carry-on items. Bowling pins, on the other hand, are not and must be packed in checked luggage.
Allowed: Harry Potter wands
Good news for wizards and witches: According to TSA, Harry Potter wands get a magical pass and can be included in carry-ons.
What is not allowed in a carry-on bag?
The TSA is fairly lenient about what you can pack in your carry-on, but there are certain items that are strictly off-limits, typically for safety or security reasons. The rules can sometimes seem arbitrary, especially when the items in question appear harmless. Below are just a few forbidden items (for a fuller list, check the TSA’s “What Can I Bring?” page).
Not allowed: Weapons
Toting a gun through security might seem like a pretty obvious no, but it happens more often than you’d think. In fact, according to TSA, officers found more than 6,700 firearms in carry-on bags in 2023 alone. Each year, TSA officers also reportedly regularly find realistic replica firearms, BB and pellet guns, airsoft guns, brass knuckles, batons, stun guns, knives, and other prohibited items deemed not safe to bring onboard planes.
Not allowed: Loose rounds
Hunters, off-duty law enforcement, and military members, take note: don’t forget to account for any loose rounds. “People know not to pack their guns, but somehow loose rounds end up in carry-ons,” says security expert Evy Poumpouras, a former Secret Service agent and author of Becoming Bulletproof. “TSA can easily spot them no matter how cluttered your bag, and this can cause a delay of 30 to 45 minutes.”
Not allowed: Undeclared animals
Surprisingly, passengers try to sneak animals through security, say the experts—and it’s not just cats and dogs. Birds, snakes, and other exotic animals have been found hidden in carry-ons. “On one flight in Florida, a passenger tried to sneak a boa constrictor through the TSA checkpoint,” Poumpouras recalls. “This shut everything down, as TSA officials were in for a shock when they opened the bag.” Her advice: “Don’t put a live animal in your carry-on—just coordinate the travel with airlines. They’ll guide you through the process.”
Not allowed: Loose razor blades
This may come as a surprise, but you can actually take your disposable razor on a flight in hand luggage—but the blades must be enclosed within the razor. Electric razors are also permitted, but other types of razors, such as box cutters, razor blades not in a cartridge, and safety razors with attached blades, are prohibited in the cabin.
Not allowed: Large aerosol spray cans
Avoid packing anything combustible and pressurized in your carry-on. This includes hairspray or deodorant sprays larger than 3.4 fluid ounces. “My advice is better safe than sorry when traveling,” Beckford says. “If it’s liquid, I check it under the plane. And if I don’t have a checked bag, most things I can buy at my destination.”
Not allowed: Baseball bats
Passengers are strictly prohibited from getting on a plane with bats, clubs or other sports equipment that could potentially be used as a bludgeon.
Not allowed: Magic 8 balls
Nobody can say the TSA doesn’t have a sense of humor. The agency’s website addresses whether or not the Magic 8 Ball novelty toy can be included in carry-on bags: “We asked the Magic 8 Ball and it told us…’Outlook not so good!'” While there’s no reason explaining why the ball is banned, it’s likely because the liquid it contains exceeds 3.4 ounces.
Not allowed: Pocket knives
Though small, pocket knives are still considered dangerous. “In general, you are prohibited from traveling with sharp objects in your carry-on baggage,” TSA warns, noting they instead should be packed in checked baggage.
Not allowed: Foam and other toy swords
Sorry aspiring gladiators, toy swords (including ones made from foam) are prohibited in carry-on luggage. Most other items resembling weapons, even if they are toys, are also better left at home.
Not allowed: Bear spray
Mace, pepper spray and other self-defense sprays are not allowed in carry-ons, and bear spray is strictly forbidden in both carry-on and checked baggage. Some airlines also have their own policies against self-defense sprays, so double-check with individual carriers.
Are there any carry-on luggage rules specific to international flights?
Carry-on luggage rules for international flights can vary depending on the carrier and the country, so it’s important to check both the airline’s regulations and the customs and border protection guidelines for individual destinations. Ahead are some key considerations when flying internationally with carry-on luggage.
Size and weight restrictions
International airlines can be much more restrictive with carry-on luggage size and weight limitations than their U.S. counterparts. For example, European and Asian airlines often enforce weight limits for cabin luggage, usually in a range from 15 to 22 pounds.
Liquids and gels
The TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule is the standard for both domestic flights and most international routes departing from or connecting through the United States. But some countries have even stricter rules regarding liquids. It’s important to familiarize yourself with regulations at other destinations to avoid surprises at security.
Gadgets and gear
Items permitted on U.S. flights may not fly in other countries, especially certain types of electronics or batteries. Double-check with airlines to ensure all your devices are compliant.
Food items
While certain food items, such as meat, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables, are generally allowed on domestic U.S. flights, they could be banned in carry-ons when traveling internationally due to agricultural and biosecurity restrictions.
What items require a TSA inspection?
We’re not done quite yet. In addition to removing certain items from your person before going through a metal detector or airport body scanner in standard screening lines, there are some TSA-approved items in your hand luggage that will need to be taken out for inspection. This is because some objects can obstruct the X-ray images of the scanners. If you don’t have TSA PreCheck, you’ll need to remove the following from luggage and put in the bin.
Liquids
Liquids, gels and pastes in a clear, quart-size bag must be scanned separately from the rest of your luggage.
Personal electronic devices
Laptops, tablets, e-readers, cameras, handheld game consoles, and other electronic devices larger than a cell phone must be removed from carry-on bags and placed in the bin for screening. “Stay organized by keeping essentials like your ID, boarding pass, and electronics easily accessible” when going through security, travel expert Beckford recommends.
What happens if you don’t comply with the TSA carry-on rules?
If you fail to comply with TSA carry-on rules, the consequences can be quite serious. Offending items may be confiscated, and once taken, they officially become government property. This means the TSA has little control over what happens to them next.
Valuable items might be sold at government-operated surplus centers or online auction sites like GovDeals and eBay. Anything determined to be useful but not dangerous could be donated to schools, government agencies, and nonprofits, while hazardous materials and firearms are turned over to law enforcement.
Beware, though: while things like half-finished bottles of water and other worthless items are thrown away without consequence, prohibited items brought through security checkpoints could cost you dearly. For instance, carrying axes, swords, self-defense sprays, fireworks, and realistic replicas of firearms (including gun lighters) can result in fines ranging from $390 to $2,250. More serious offenses, such as bringing inert hand grenades or unloaded firearms through security, can lead to thousands of dollars in fines and criminal referral for potential charges.
Now that you’re fully prepared for getting through security, get ready to sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight!
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Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of travel stories that help readers explore the world safely, easily and affordably. We regularly cover topics such as the best places to visit (and the best times to visit them), tips and tricks to zoom through airport security, flight-attendant secrets, hotel-room hacks and more. We’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. For this piece on airports with the longest wait times, Aaron Rasmussen tapped his experience as a longtime travel writer and frequent traveler to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Gabby Beckford, travel expert and founder of Packs Light; email interview, November 2024
- Elizabeth Trattner, licensed alternative doctor
- Evy Poumpouras, a former Secret Service agent and TV correspondent on matters of security and law enforcement
- Delta Carry-On Rules
- American Carry-On Rules
- JetBlue Carry-On Rules
- Southwest Carry-On Rules
- United Carry-On Rules
- TSA: “Travel Checklist”
- TSA: “Liquids, Aerosols, and Gels Rule”
- TSA: “What Can I Bring?”
- TSA: Civil Enforcement
- TSA: “TSA Detects 6,737 Firearms at Airport Security Checkpoints in 2023”