United States Airline Carry-on Regulations

By Author: Rob Parker
Total Articles: 312
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Since the attacks of 9/11, airline travel has become an increasingly more confusing way to get to your destination. Because of the simplicity of the materials with which the attacks were carried out, and because of the fact that there is a lot of knowledge out there detailing how to create a devastating device from every day materials, the items you may carry onto an airplane have become increasingly restricted. It used to be that only size really mattered (as long as you were not carrying an obviously threatening piece of luggage of course) but today, you have to consider the space your carry-on will take up, the weight of the bag, and even the items that you are taking along. Let's take a look at some of these regulations in the hopes of making your trip go just a little bit smoother.

Size Restrictions

The first thing you need to be concerned about are the dimensions of your carry on luggage. These measurements are largely in place not due to threats, but in consideration of the amount of room on the plane and the comfort of other passengers. Therefore:

Only one bag is allowed per person. You are also ...
... allowed to have one personal item with you.

When the length, width, and height of the carry-on bag are totalled up in inches, the total amount cannot exceed 45 inches.

The bag must fit in the overhead bin or underneath the seat in front of you.

It must fit without any effort, through the device used by the airline to check the size of carry on baggage.

It's important to note that personal items include laptop computers, purses, briefcases, and similar items. Books or magazines do not count, although you are only allowed one outside of your carry on luggage.

Restrictions on Materials

Of the greatest inconvenience to most passengers in the past five years are the limits placed on materials which you may carry on to a plane. In many cases these limits put severe restrictions on many different personal hygiene products, which can be particularly onerous if you are on a very long flight. However, these regulations are in place for the safety of all passengers. Here are some of the items that are included:

Drinks
Creams
Hair gel and spray
Shampoo
Lotions
Toothpaste

It is important to note that it is not the items themselves that are banned, but rather the containers or tubes that they are carried in. It is permissible to carry these items in a plastic bag where possible.

It is also important to note that no items that may threaten personal safety are allowed as carry ons, including knives, dry ice, and so on. You should also make sure to check specific regulations for the airline and the country that you are traveling with or to, as their regulations may differ slightly.