Many of us use carry-on bags to avoid paying checked bag fees, prevent our luggage from getting lost, or simply provide comfort and entertainment on board. But remember, there are specific rules for what is not allowed on a plane carry-on luggage. From seemingly obvious items like swords to more questionable implements like scissors, some items are universally banned, while others face varying restrictions. Read on to discover exactly what is not allowed on a plane carry-on to help avoid any unnecessary stress at security or the boarding gate.
Is carry-on guaranteed for everyone?
In short – not necessarily. While most major airlines and fares include some amount of complimentary carry-on, some budget airlines and deeply discounted tickets do not. To be sure I won’t be met with any surprises, I like to use KAYAK’s Fee Assistant to select the number of carry-on and checked bags needed so these costs are automatically included in my search results.
It’s located at the top of the flight results page, and can later be adjusted among the filters on the left after results are initially displayed.
How does the airline know what’s in my carry-on?
TSA (Transportation Security Administration), or another country’s equivalent, will screen your carry-on (and you) while passing through airport security to check for prohibited items. While the process may require more or less effort and time depending on things like airline status and membership in expedited screening programs like TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, everyone will pass through this screening – and nearly all are subject to the same restrictions.
Bags are initially reviewed by an X-ray scanner and may be additionally searched by hand by TSA agents. Violations can result in steep fines and potential legal issues, so don’t try to sneak anything though.
Pro Tip: KAYAK’s virtual Bag Measurement tool makes it easy to size up your luggage and ensure you show up at the airport with approved carry-on bags.
Streamline the process
Passing through security screenings can be among the most time-consuming and frustrating of airport processes, but there are some simple tips you can keep in mind to get through more quickly. Because TSA has tight regulations on liquids, you’ll often be asked to remove them from your packed bag, so keep them in an easily-accessible location.
And while there’s rarely a limit to how many electronic devices you can bring on board, TSA often requires that these also be removed from bags for better screening – so be prepared to quickly grab these, as well. Even those with TSA PreCheck can typically only leave one large electronic device in each bag, and additional devices will need to be removed.
Finally, keep everything out of your pockets (including phones and wallets) and stored within your carry-on bag when passing through security.
What is not allowed on a plane carry-on: the 10 most asked items
Once you’ve mastered the below, check out my guide to how to pack a carry-on – in the meantime, here’s what to watch out for.
1. Firearms
2. Flammables
3. Medical supplies
4. Sports gear
5. Camping gear
6. Household appliances and gadgets
7. Tools
8. Sharp objects
9. Food and beverages
10. A note on alcohol
International airport differences
While TSA guidelines are fairly standard and uniformly enforced across US airports, other countries have their own governing agencies with regulations that may vary, most often in the way liquid is brought on board. Keep in mind that itineraries with international connections may leave you clearing security again at the connecting airport, and your items will be subject to local regulations regardless of the fact that your origin airport allowed them.
Personally, this is where I’ve lost items like nail clippers, soy candles, and masking tape. In these cases, you’ll either forfeit the items or return to the ticketing counter to check the items, if you have a suitable container for them.
International airline differences
Airlines are welcome to create additional restrictions that don’t violate government regulations and, while this isn’t common in the United States, international airlines may have more unique guidelines, so it’s helpful to check an airline’s specific carry-on guidance before packing.
For example, scissors with blades under 4 inches are allowed on US airlines but are prohibited by Turkish Airlines. As most security screenings are unconcerned with which airline you’re flying, it’s unlikely that these items will be targeted before boarding, but you may suffer repercussions if spotted with them on board.
International customs differences
While this is not specific to carry-on luggage, it’s also important to remember that some countries completely ban specific items that are commonly used in the United States. While you may have no trouble getting these through TSA screening on your way to the destination, you’ll be violating local laws if you bring them into the host country and may be prosecuted if caught. Prescription medications are a common example of these, so always check the customs website of your destination before packing.
Make sure to not pack these
Even after exhausting the TSA’s list of prohibited items and familiarizing yourself with the general trends, you may still find yourself wondering about some specific items that seem to hover somewhere between prohibited and permitted. While your safest bet is to simply not bring these, here are some examples of items you might have thought you could bring in your carry-on but you definitely cannot:
- peanut butter (it’s not solid),
- a magic 8-ball (it’s filled with liquid),
- strike-anywhere matches (only safety matches are allowed),
- and Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phones (it’s permanently banned on planes or in the mail by the Department of Transportation).
The TSA also advises you not to bring canned foods, even if they’re completely solid, as agents may not be able to verify contents without damaging them.
How this guide was created
I fly every week, racking up an average of 120 flights per year. I’m a firm believer in maximizing comfort during any flight, so I’m keenly aware of exactly what’s allowed, and not allowed, in carry-on bags, both in the United States and abroad. I’ve combined years of this intense travel schedule with the expert tips and tools available from KAYAK to create this guide for you.
Some of our favorite flight routes
- Flights to New York
- Flights to Los Angeles
- Flights to Chicago
- Flights to San Francisco
- Flights to Miami
What is not allowed on the plane carry-on FAQ
Can you bring lighters on a plane?
Disposable lighters and any lighter that contains flammable gas absorbed in the lining are allowed in your carry-on bag, but the FAA limits these to one per person. Not only are they allowed, but if your bag is checked at the gate due to space limitations or any other reason, you’ll actually need to remove the lighter from your bag and take it on board with you.
Can you bring a razor on a plane?
Disposable razors and electric razors are both permitted on planes in carry-on bags, but razor blades and other blades are not. You can still pack any of these in a carry-on bag, but they must be securely wrapped to ensure baggage handlers and inspectors avoid injury when transporting or reviewing your belongings.
How much liquid can you bring on a plane?
For carry-on, liquids must be transported in 3.4-ounce (100 mL) containers, and they all must fit in a single quart-size bag. Note that this is a container guideline, and not actually a liquid guideline, which is why 2 ounces (60 mL) of water would not be allowed to pass in a 12-ounce (355 mL) bottle that is otherwise mostly empty, for example. Larger containers can be packed in checked luggage.
Can you bring cologne on a plane?
Like other liquids, you are welcome to bring cologne and perfume aboard a plane in your carry-on bag, but the bottle must follow the 3.4-ounce (100 mL) container rule. Fortunately, most standard colognes and perfume bottles are precisely 3.4 ounces, making them carry-on approved by TSA standards. Aerosol colognes face tighter regulations in checked luggage, but follow the standard liquid volume regulation in carry-on.