You have a trip coming up and you’re excited, but you might be wondering, “What can I bring on a plane and what can’t I bring on a plane”?
Some things seem like basic common sense (no dangerous items), but other things are a little confusing (is medicine okay). Great news, I’m here to help answer some of the most commonly asked questions for domestic flights in the USA with this comprehensive guide.
Please keep in mind that although this information is based on information from the TSA official United States government website, the final decision rests with the TSA agent.
Andrea, I have a specific question so let's skip right to it!
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If you’ve been following along with my travel tips, you know I wrote an entire post about how to save money by packing a carry-on suitcase.
Now I want to help answer your questions about which items you can bring in your hand luggage and which items have to go in your checked bag.
Food and Drinks
Can I bring canned food on a plane?
Yes, you can bring canned food on a plane; however, to avoid having your food taken, a better idea is to put canned food in your checked baggage.
Can I bring baby food and baby formula on a plane?
Yes, you can bring baby food as well as formula, breast milk, and toddler juices. Good news, these items are considered to be medically necessary and are NOT limited to the 3.4-ounce rule.
Can I bring frozen food on a plane?
Solid foods can be carried in your carry-on or checked bag but what about frozen food? Yes, you can bring completely frozen liquids in your carry-on luggage.
TIP: Sometimes passengers freeze a bottle of water so it will pass through security without being in liquid form. As it melts, you have cold water with you.
Can I bring alcohol on a plane?
Alcoholic beverages up to 70% alcohol are limited to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger in checked luggage. The alcohol must be in unopened retail packaging.
Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less do not have limitations in checked bags.
You can NOT bring alcoholic beverages over 140 proof in your carry-on baggage OR your checked bag.
Did you take advantage of the duty-free allowances? That’s a good idea when you don’t have a layover on international flights.
Can I bring gum on a plane?
Yes, you can bring gum on the plane. Some people find chewing gum helps with the cabin pressure affecting their ears.
PRO TIP: When bringing liquids on a plane, remember the 3-1-1 rule. For liquid restrictions, use 3.4 ounce containers, and they have to all fit in a 1-quart clear plastic bag. You get one clear bag per traveler, which is taken out at the airport security checkpoint.
Beauty Products
Can I bring shampoo on a plane?
Yes, you can bring shampoo and conditioner on a plane as long as it is equal to or less than 3.4 ounces if it is in your carry-on bag. If you purchase a solid shampoo and conditioner you don’t have to worry about the liquid limitation. You can bring a larger quantity if it is in your checked bag.
Can I bring face wash on a plane?
Yes, you can bring face wash on a plane as long as it is equal to or less than 3.4 ounces if it is in your carry-on bag.
Can I bring makeup on a plane?
You can bring cosmetic products like solid makeup and powdered makeup without any issues. Liquid makeup, like foundation or eyeliner, needs to be in containers equal to or less than 3.4 ounces if it’s in your carry-on bag.
Can I bring chapstick on a plane?
Yes, you can bring chapstick, solid lip balms, and solid lipsticks on the plane in your carry-on bag.
Can I bring nail glue, nail clippers, or a metal nail file on a plane?
Yes, you can bring nail glue, nail clippers, and a metal nail file in your carry-on bag as long as the sharp objects are sheathed or securely wrapped.
Do you want some of my top tips on packing? CLICK HERE to read about How to Pack a Suitcase That Saves You Money!
Health Products
Can I bring an inhaler on a plane?
Yes, you can bring an inhaler on a plane; however, you must declare it to TSA officers at the checkpoint for inspection.
Can I bring a cane on a plane?
You can bring walking aids like a cane on a plane if it’s needed for limited mobility. Check with your airline to find out what their specific procedures are for transporting it during air travel.
The flight attendants may have to keep your medical device secured for you during the flight if it is not a collapsible cane or if it doesn’t fit in the overhead bin.
Can I bring supplements on a plane?
Yes, you can bring gummy vitamins and supplements on a plane in your carry-on bag and in your checked bag. It helps eliminate confusion if you keep them in their original container.
Can I bring protein powder on a plane?
Yes, you can bring protein powder on a plane, but powder substances greater than 12 oz. must be placed in a separate bin for X-ray screening. It’s better to bring non-essential powders greater than 12 oz. in your checked bag.
Can I bring injection needles on a plane?
You can bring insulin pumps and supplies in your carry-on bag as long as you also have insulin. The insulin, in any form or dispenser, must be identified. Any needles need to be securely wrapped to protect agents at the security checkpoint if they have to search your bag.
PRO TIP: Before the screening begins, inform the TSA officer that you have medically necessary liquids and/or medications.
Can I bring hand sanitizer on a plane?
Yes, you can bring hand sanitizer on a plane if it’s equal to or less than 3.4 ounces. Dr. Bonner makes my FAVORITE lavender-scented travel-size hand sanitizer.
Can I bring medical marijuana or CBD on a plane?
Yes, if you have a medical marijuana card, according to the TSA government website, “Marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products, including some Cannabidiol (CBD) oil, remain illegal under federal law except for products that contain no more than 0.3 percent THC on a dry weight basis or that are approved by FDA.”
Can I bring bug spray on a plane?
You can bring lotion or bug spray in your carry-on luggage for personal use if it’s less than 3.4 ounces, otherwise, bring it in your checked luggage. You cannot bring any bug spray that gets sprayed in the air or directly on the insect.
Hobby and Entertainment
Can I bring an Xbox on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a full-sized video game console like an Xbox or PS4 on a plane in your carry-on bag and in your checked luggage. If it is in your carry-on bag, it will have to go in a separate bin for screening.
Can I bring a speaker on a plane?
You can bring a speaker on a plane; however, check with your specific airline to make sure it will fit in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat.
Can I bring knitting needles on a plane?
Knitting needles, sewing needles, and crochet hooks are allowed in your carry-on bag as long as they are properly sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors.
Can I bring a fishing pole on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a fishing pole, as long as it doesn’t exceed the size requirements of your airline, but you can’t bring any sharp fishing lures with large hooks in your carry-on bag.
Can I bring a camera on a plane?
Yes, you can bring cameras and film in your carry-on bag and in a checked bag.
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Nicotine and Nicotine Alternatives
Can I bring cigarettes on a plane?
Yes, you can bring cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and cigars on a plane in your carry-on bag.
Remember the use of e-cigarettes is prohibited on a plane. You can’t bring electronic cigarettes in your checked luggage.
Can I bring a disposable vape on a plane?
Yes, you can bring disposable vaping devices, vape pens, and vape juice on a plane in your carry-on bag. Just wait until you are in a designated smoking area to use them.
You can’t bring a vape pen in your checked luggage because it is a fire risk.
Can I bring chewing tobacco on a plane?
You can bring chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco products, and tobacco pipes on a plane in your carry-on bag and in your checked luggage. Of course, the use of tobacco products is not permitted on the plane.
Can I bring nicotine gum on a plane?
Yes, you can bring smoke-free nicotine products, like nicotine gum or nicotine pouches, on a plane to help you deal with nicotine cravings on long flights.
Can I bring a lighter on a plane?
Disposable and Zippo lighters without fuel are allowed in carry-on and checked bags.
Can I bring matches on a plane?
Safety matches are allowed in your carry-on bag but NOT in your checked luggage. Strike-anywhere matches are NOT allowed at all.
What else can I bring on a plane?
Can I bring a flashlight on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a flashlight in your carry-on luggage. I always pack a mini high-lumen flashlight in my checked bag for safety.
Can I bring an air mattress on a plane?
You can bring an inflatable air mattress, with the built-in electric air pump, in your carry-on luggage or checked bag, as long as the air bed doesn’t exceed the size restrictions or weight limits of your airline.
Can I bring glass on a plane?
Yes, you can bring glass items like a glass pipe, glass picture frames, glass bottles, and empty glass vases on the plane in your carry-on bag or your checked bag. Use bubble wrap to keep the glass from breaking during turbulence.
Can I bring my power bank on a plane?
I always bring my power bank charger for my phone in my carry-on bag. You are NOT allowed to bring it in your checked luggage if it contains lithium-ion batteries.
Can I bring batteries on a plane?
Yes, you can bring typical non-lithium dry batteries in the most common sizes: AA, AAA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, etc. on the plane in your carry-on bag and in your checked luggage.
Lithium batteries, used in power banks, chargers, and e-cigarettes can ONLY be in your carry-on bag.
Can I bring wrapped gifts on a plane?
You can bring wrapped gifts in your carry-on bag, but TSA agents can unwrap them if they need to look inside. It is best to bring wrapped gifts in your checked luggage.
Are you traveling for the holiday season? CLICK HERE to read about all my Secret Holiday Travel Tips and Hacks!
Can I bring a pen on a plane?
Yes, you can bring pens and other writing instruments on a plane. I recommend you purchase one of my travel activity journals and some gel pens for the adult coloring pages to keep you entertained during your flight!
Here’s what you can expect to find in my travel journal activity books:
- Journal Pages – lined pages and journaling prompts to help get you thinking
- Activity Pages – themed travel games and activities to help pass the time during flights and drives
- Scrapbook Pages – attach photos and keepsakes like ticket stubs and mementos
What can't I bring on a plane?
This might sound obvious, but don’t bring any illegal substances on a plane. If you know something is legal in your state, but not when you cross state lines, don’t bring it.
Can I bring parts of a gun on a plane?
Firearm parts, including frames, receivers, magazines, clips, bolts, and firing pins, are prohibited in carry-on luggage.
Can I bring sports equipment on a plane?
Certain sports equipment is NOT allowed on a plane in your carry-on luggage. Items like baseball bats, clubs, golf clubs, and hiking sticks must be checked.
Can I bring toy weapons on a plane?
It’s not a great idea to try to take toy guns, nerf guns, pellet guns, or foam toy swords on a plane. Those items must go in your checked bag.
Don't Forget
If you pack liquids, make sure you secure them in plastic bags (I use a Ziploc bag) because sometimes, when the air pressure changes, weird things happen, and it’s messy! The last thing you want is your liquids leaking onto your electronic devices.
At security checks, agents have the discretion to prohibit any item through the screening checkpoint even if the TSA guidelines say it is acceptable on the TSA website. (Last year my friend had her solid deodorant taken away by the security people at ATL and it made no sense.)
Make sure you check TSA’s specific rules, airport guidelines, and the specific regulations of the airline you are flying if you aren’t sure about something.
Even when you have an item that is approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, if it looks suspicious to airport security, it might still get flagged for additional screening. This happened to me during the screening process on a recent trip.
Don’t worry, they take a second look for clarification and then they approve you to move on. The best choice is to keep questionable items in their original packaging to help with this issue.
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LET’S CONNECT: I wrote “What can I bring on a plane” to help give you a hassle-free travel experience. When did you see someone get held up at an airport security checkpoint for not following the TSA rules? Comment below!
