The permitted size of carry-on bags varies from airline to airline. Check the requirements for the airline with which you will travel to learn how big your carry-on bag can be. [1] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source Remember that certain items are only permissible when packed in a checked bag.
Food items Liquids, such as bath products Sporting goods Tools Self defense items Sharp objects Small lighters.
Most liquids and some food items, like gravies and sauces or sometimes even ketchup, must be 3. 4 fluid ounces (100. 6 ml) or less in order to be allowed in a carry-on bag. The rules may be different for necessities such as medicine, but there still are restraints for that. [4] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source
Additionally, overpacking your carry-on or checked bag might result in it not fitting into the airline-approved measurements, in which case you might have to remove items from your bag to put into another bag or leave it at the airport. [6] X Research source Checked bag fees start at $25 for one checked bag at the majority of airlines and go up from there, with increases for multiple checked bags and bags that are overweight. [7] X Research source
All liquid items that are 3. 4 fluid ounces (100. 6 ml) or smaller can go in your carry-on, and they must be packed in one 1-quart bag. Each traveler is only permitted to have one of these bags. [8] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source Items that are larger that 3. 4 fluid ounces (100. 6 ml) can be packed in a checked bag. They do not have to be enclosed in a zip-top bag, but it is recommended in order to protect your other packed belongings. Medications and nourishment items for infants and children are exempt from these rules. [9] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source
Rolling your clothing not only saves space but also reduces wrinkles in clothes.
Packing your items in this way prevents your clothes from being further compressed and wrinkled by being buried under heavier items. Put toiletries and other light items on top so that they are easily accessible for removing at the security checkpoint.
This way, you have at least one additional set of clothing to wear until you receive your checked bag. It would also be helpful to include some key toiletry items, like a toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant, as long as they meet the 3. 4 fluid-ounce (100. 6 ml) requirement.
Put magazines, thin books, or other slim items in these pockets.
Security does have approved locks that they can open with their own tools, including Safe Skies and Travel Sentry.
Checking in online ahead of time also saves you time in getting to the airport, because you can head straight to security and skip the check-in lines upon arrival.
If you check in at the airport, then airline agents will provide you with your boarding pass at that time.
U. S. driver’s license that is Real ID Act compliant (see dhs. gov/real-id for more information). If you do not have a Real ID compliant ID, then you will need to obtain an alternate form of identification (such as a passport or passport card) to pass the security lines. U. S. passport U. S. passport card U. S. military ID Permanent resident card Government-issued passport Border crossing card.
Airlines recommend that you arrive 30-45 minutes prior to departure for domestic flights, depending on whether you have to check any baggage. For international flights, it is recommended that you arrive at least two hours prior to departure to allow time for completing international requirements. [17] X Research source Accommodate for extra time if you have to drive yourself and park in long-term parking. You will have extra time for traveling from the parking lot to the terminal via the airport shuttle. If your airport is large and extremely busy, take that into consideration and arrive early, just to be sure. Also think about what day of the week you are traveling. Weekends are usually busy travel times, which means the airport and security checkpoint might be busier.
Liquids and aerosols in the quart-sized bag Technology devices Medically necessary medications and liquids Nourishment items for infants and children.
Shoes Coats, jackets, and sweaters Belts Coins Cell phones Jewelry.
Let the officer or other representative know that you have medically necessary liquids or medications when you are going through the screening. If you also need items such as ice packs, syringes, pumps, and IV bags, notify the officer about those, as well. It is helpful to have them labeled for easy screening. Keep all of these items separate from other liquids, like bath and hygiene products. Any ice packs or frozen gel packs that are necessary for your medication must be frozen solid at the security checkpoint. You do have the option to not have your medication screened by X-ray or to not have it opened, but in that case, other screening measures will have to be taken. [19] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source If you have nourishment items for an infant or child, you are also allowed to bring them in excess of 3. 4 fluid ounces (100. 6 ml) in a carry-on item, and they can be in a zip-top bag larger than one quart. However, they must be separate from other liquids that you are checking through security. Alert the officer that you have these items so that they can be screened correctly. The officer may want to X-ray or open your breast milk, formula, or juice, but you can deny that if you would like to. In that case, other screening measures will have to be taken. Ice packs and frozen gel packs will need to be frozen solid at the time you go through security. Other items such as canned, jarred, and processed baby food are permitted, as well as liquid-filled teethers, but they will also have to be screened. [20] X Trustworthy Source U. S. Transportation Security Administration U. S. government agency responsible for ensuring safety by setting and enforcing travel protocols Go to source
After you have found your gate, you can go to the restroom, get something to eat, or shop, if you have time.
Being prepared with snacks and drinks will help tide you over until you get to your destination, because although flights still do beverage service, many short haul flights no longer offer food or snacks. When they do offer meals, you normally have to pay for them. An alternative is to eat at one of the airport restaurants. These are usually overpriced, but if you have a long time to wait or will have a long time before you can get your next meal, it is a good idea to eat at a restaurant.
Once you are on your plane, you will be asked to power off your electronic devices or put them in Airplane Mode. Be sure to do this to avoid interference with airline signals. Remember that you cannot access any apps that require cellular data or Wi-Fi when your smartphone or other device is in Airplane Mode. Many airlines now offer Wi-Fi on flights, but it is almost always for a fee. Determine whether it is worth the money to access Wi-Fi on the flight. For example, if you are taking a business trip and have work to do while you travel, it will likely be worthwhile. If your trip is for pleasure, though, and you have no real need for using Wi-Fi other than entertainment, it might not be worth the price.
Some airplanes have small TV screens in the backs of the headrests, so you can watch what is on those TVs. Keep in mind that you usually have to pay extra to access more desirable channels, instead of watching their infomercial channels or a map of your travel.
Proceed out and follow the signs to the customs booth. Self-service kiosks can also do the same thing. Present your passport and your customs form to the officer or scan them in the booth. Scan your fingerprints on the scanner if necessary. This can happen if your name is on a country’s blacklist, where you may be denied entry and deported. Scanning your fingerprints prove to the country that it is really you.
Be sure to gather your belongings from the plain before claiming your baggage. You cannot go back into a restricted area, without clearing security again.
