Most people don’t know how much weight and size they can carry onto an airplane. Additionally, they don’t know which items are allowed and which are not allowed on the flight.
This confusion lead to several problems. Due to this ignorance, they can’t decide on the most important things they should carry and those they can leave behind.
In this blog post, you will read about the maximum size and weight you can carry on a flight. Moreover, which items are allowed and which are not. So you can easily select the most important things to take with you on the flight.
Let’s delve into the details!
Understanding the Carry-On Baggage
Everything that you can carry onto the airplane or during the flight is called carry-on baggage. You can carry it in your hand or keep it in the overhead storage bins. Airline passengers carry different types of luggage or baggage during their flight. These are the items that may be required during flight.
Which Items Can Be Carried in Carry-on Baggage?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and airlines are two main organizations that make rules about the items you can carry in airplanes. At the same time, these rules can vary by the company and state.
According to the TSA, the following items are allowed as a carry-on luggage:
- Tools
In tools, only small items are allowed, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, nail clippers, pill cutters, bottle openers, and scissors of less than 4 inches, are allowed. However, proper packaging of these tools is compulsory. Otherwise, they will not allow them to carry onto the plane.
- Foods and Liquids
A quantity of 3.5 ounces or less is allowed in the case of food and liquids. Moreover, these should be non-flammable. In liquids, you can carry beverages, lens solution, shampoo, liquid medicine, nail polish, perfume, and toners. In the case of gels, you can carry hair gel, toothpaste, sanitizer, and face serums.
In terms of food, you can carry protein bars, dry fruits, frozen cheese, pastries, beef, popcorn, chips, crackers, chocolates, breads, cereals, cakes, and sandwiches. At the same time, there are several types of drinks that you can take along with you on the flight. You can read the instructions mentioned regarding food and liquids from the passenger baggage rules.
- Smoking Lighters
Small lighters and safety matches are allowed on the flight. However, striking matches are strictly prohibited.
- Energy Storage Batteries
In the case of energy storage devices, you are allowed to carry only dry cell, lithium-ion, lithium metal, spare batteries, and power banks in your luggage.
In dry cell batteries, there are AA, AAA, C, D, 9-volt, and button cells are included.
- Small Electronics
In electronics, you can carry a cell phone, laptop, tablet, travel iron, hairdryer and straightener, camera, charger, electric shaver, and other small items.
- Gifts
You can carry any type of gift that is not dangerous and hazardous. However, in the case of gifts, it is recommended to take them without packaging. Otherwise, they will remove their wrappings to check the items.
- Knitting Needles and Cloth
The needles used for knitting the cloth or fabric are allowed, but only when they are wrapped or protected in a case. In this way, no one will be harmed, especially handlers and inspectors.
- Medicines and Medical Equipment
You can carry any type of medicine in any quantity. Moreover, small medical equipment that can be required in an emergency in the airplane can be carried. These include inhalers, syringes, insulin pumps, CPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, epipens, crutches, canes, braces, wheelchairs, and other such items.
However, the rules regarding medicines can vary from state to state.
- Baby Food and Feeders
Food for babies is allowed. Mostly, it includes baby formula, milk, juice, and canned or processed food items for babies. Moreover, items required for baby care are also allowed. You can carry baby wipes, breast pumps, baby carriers, diaper bags, and other such items.
However, the food items are screened, and care items are passed through security checks.
- Valuables Items
People carry several items that are highly precious and expensive while traveling. They don’t want to keep them along with luggage in storage. So, they carry such items with them. The most commonly carried expensive items are watches, jewelry items, currency, and other such items.
- E-liquids
There are several items, such as e-cigarettes, vaporizers, vape pens, atomizers, electronic nicotine delivery, etc. These are allowed but with some regulations. These should be packed in a single plastic bag. Moreover, their weight should not be more than 3.4 ounces.
These are passed through the security checks. That’s why these must be at a place where they are easily accessible.
- Wedding Items
Wedding items are not usually carried in the carry-on luggage. However, in some cases, people want to carry their wedding dresses and jewelry along with them. So, they can keep these items in the cabin above their seats.
- Pets
In the case of pets, you will need to consult the airline security. You can carry your small pets, such as birds, cats, dogs, and other small pets. They must be carried in ventilated cabins.
Which Items Are Not Allowed in Carry-On Baggage?
All the items except the above-mentioned allowed items are restricted. You can easily recognize such items due to the following list:
- Sharp items such as knives, blades, and large scissors.
- Sports goods include balls, bats, golf clubs, poles, hockey sticks, lacrosse sticks, martial arts weapons, and practice items.
- Items used for defense such as sprays, billy clubs, blackjacks, brass knuckles, and kubotans.
- Candles made up of gel and wax.
- Beverages with more than 70% alcohol.
- Ammunition, such as guns, compressed-air guns, pellet guns, pistols, and their replicas.
- Explosive and flammable items include fireworks, flares, hand grenades, blasting caps, dynamite, butane, fuels, gasoline, gas torches, lighter fluid, strike matches, paints, plasma lighters, electronic lighters, and turpentine.
- Hazardous chemicals such as chlorine, bleach, fertilizers, tear gas, and fire extinguishers.
What is the Allowed Size and Weight Limit for Carry-On Luggage?
The allowed items must also be in a size that is less than the maximum allowed limit. The maximum allowed dimensions are 22 x 14 x 9 inches. In terms of centimeters, these will be 56 x 36 x 23 cm. Moreover, you can carry some personal items along with carry-on items. However, these must be less than 18 x 14 x 8 inches in dimensions. In this way, they can easily fit under the passenger seat.
Along with size, airlines also provide a certain weight limit. You cannot carry more than 22lbs(10kg). In this way, it will exceed the weight that an airplane can bear while in the air.
What is the Difference Between the Carry-on and Personal Items?
The main difference between the carry-on and personal items is their size. The carry-on items must be less than the dimensions of 22 x 14 x 9 inches, while the personal items must be less than the dimensions of 18 x 14 x 8 inches.
Another difference is that the personal items can fit under the seat, while carry-on items can fit in the cabin above the seat.
Conclusion
You should always read the instructions related to the carry-on luggage. It is recommended that only those items that can be required on the flight be carried, and the rest of the items should be stored in storage.
There can be variations in the rules about the carry-on luggage in different states. So, you can confirm it with the airline service with which you are going to travel.