American Airlines

Hoverboard

Not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage on any flight.

E-cigarette / Vape

Must be in carry-on baggage; checked baggage is not permitted due to fire risk.

Cannabis / marijuana

No airline permits cannabis in any form regardless of local law at origin or destination.

Dry ice

Max 2.5kg (5.5lb) for perishables; packaging must allow CO₂ venting.

Smart luggage (built-in battery)

Non-removable batteries over 100Wh not accepted as checked or cabin baggage.

Golf clubs

One golf bag (clubs, balls, shoes) counts as one checked bag; standard bag fee applies.

Baseball bat

Permitted in checked baggage only; not allowed in the cabin under any circumstances.

Hockey stick

Must be checked; standard oversized/overweight fees may apply based on dimensions.

Fishing rod

Permitted in checked baggage; standard bag fee applies if within size limits, oversized fee if longer.

Firearms

Unloaded, in hard-sided locked case, declared at check-in; max 11lb ammo.

Knife

Knives of any blade length are banned from cabin baggage on virtually all carriers worldwide.

Medication

Prescription medication in reasonable quantities allowed in cabin; no specific quantity limit for medically necessary liquids.

Insulin

Insulin and syringes permitted in cabin with proper labelling; notify crew at boarding.

CPAP machine

Does not count toward carry-on allowance; FAA-approved for in-flight use.

Scissors

Scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches (10cm) are permitted in carry-on; longer blades must be checked.

Multi-tool (Leatherman, Swiss Army knife)

Must be in checked baggage; TSA rules prohibit any multi-tool with a knife blade in carry-on.

Screwdriver

Screwdrivers 7 inches (18cm) or shorter are permitted in carry-on per TSA; longer ones must be checked.

Hammer

Must be checked; permitted in checked baggage without restriction.

Power drill

Cordless drills permitted in carry-on if the lithium battery is removed; drill with battery must be checked.

Wine

Duty-free alcohol in a sealed bag from the point of purchase is allowed in cabin on international flights.

Spirits / Liquor

Duty-free spirits in sealed bags allowed in cabin on international routes; consumption of own alcohol onboard is prohibited.

Aerosol spray (hairspray, deodorant)

Non-flammable aerosols are unrestricted in checked bags; flammable aerosols are limited under hazmat rules.

Nail polish

Up to 100ml in carry-on; checked bags limited to 3.4oz (100ml) containers totalling no more than 68oz (2L).

Nail polish remover

TSA allows up to 100ml (3.4oz) in carry-on; acetone is a flammable liquid and restricted in larger quantities in hold.

Fireworks / Flares

Fireworks, flares, and pyrotechnics are classified as explosives and are banned on all airlines in both cabin and hold.

Bicycle pump

Manual pumps allowed; CO₂ cylinders must be empty with the valve left open.

Musical instrument

Small instruments that fit overhead or under-seat are allowed in cabin; larger instruments may require a purchased seat.

Syringes

Syringes permitted in cabin for medical use; must be accompanied by labelled medication and ideally a prescription.

Snow globe

Snow globes of any size are not permitted in carry-on due to the liquid content; must be checked.

Disposable razor

Disposable cartridge razors are universally permitted in both cabin and hold baggage.

Safety razor

Safety razor without the blade is fine in carry-on; loose blades must be checked.

Camping stove

Stove must be completely empty of fuel and thoroughly cleaned; residual fuel odour will result in rejection.

Camping stove fuel

Camping fuel (gas canisters, liquid fuel bottles) is prohibited as a flammable hazardous material on all commercial airlines.

Breast milk

Exempt from the 100ml liquids rule; reasonable quantities accepted in cabin even without a baby present.

Baby formula / Breast milk

Exempt from the 100ml limit; reasonable quantities accepted for the journey.

Walking cane / Crutches

Walking canes and crutches are accepted as mobility aids and do not count against carry-on allowance.

Curling iron

Gas-powered curling irons with butane cartridges are allowed in carry-on only; spare cartridges are prohibited.

Extension cord

Extension cords are permitted in checked baggage; power strip extension cords with surge protectors may be flagged by TSA in carry-on.

Travel iron

Standard dry travel irons are permitted in cabin or hold; steam irons with water reservoirs are allowed but empty the water first.

Binoculars

Binoculars are universally permitted in both cabin and checked baggage with no restrictions.

Camera

Camera equipment permitted in carry-on; TSA recommends carrying film in hand luggage to avoid X-ray damage in hold.

vape

Must be in carry-on only due to lithium battery; vaping onboard is strictly prohibited.

Glucose monitor / insulin pump

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are permitted in cabin; notify security as the sensor should not go through X-ray.

Mercury thermometer

Mercury thermometers are prohibited on all commercial flights due to the toxicity and spill risk of mercury.

Candles

Unscented non-flammable candles are generally permitted in checked bags; gel candles are treated as a flammable gel and may be restricted.

Pepper spray / Mace

One container up to 4oz (118ml) permitted in checked baggage only if it has a safety mechanism; not permitted in cabin.

Razor / Razor blades

Razor blades not in a cartridge must be checked; cartridge razors are allowed in cabin.

Knitting needles

Knitting needles and crochet hooks are permitted in carry-on per TSA guidance.

CBD oil

Hemp-derived CBD approved by the FDA is permitted; THC-containing products are banned regardless of state laws.

Bluetooth speaker

Bluetooth speakers with lithium batteries are permitted in cabin and hold; larger batteries (over 100Wh) in the battery may need to stay in carry-on.

Toy gun

Toy guns that could be mistaken for real firearms (e.g., realistic replica pistols) should be in checked baggage.

Camera tripod

Tripods are permitted in carry-on if they fit; full-size tripods are usually too long and must be checked.

Empty water bottle

Empty reusable water bottles are permitted in cabin on all airlines; fill after security at the airport.

Taser / Stun gun

Tasers prohibited in cabin; may be accepted in checked baggage if local law permits — confirm with airline before travel.

Ammunition

Up to 11lb (5kg) of small arms ammunition permitted in checked baggage in manufacturer's packaging or a container designed for ammunition.

Hair dryer

Hair dryers are universally permitted in both cabin and checked baggage with no restrictions.

Hair straightener / flat iron

Electric hair straighteners are permitted in cabin and hold; ensure they are cool before packing.

Electric shaver

Electric shavers are permitted in cabin and hold; lithium batteries inside the shaver are treated as a device battery.

Umbrella

Compact umbrellas are permitted in carry-on; full-size golf umbrellas may need to be checked.

Nail clippers

Nail clippers are permitted in cabin baggage on virtually all airlines as they have a very short cutting edge.

Tweezers

Tweezers are permitted in carry-on baggage on all major airlines.

Lip balm

Lip balm in stick or pot form is permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines without restriction.

Padlock / combination lock

TSA-approved locks are recommended for checked baggage so agents can inspect without cutting the lock.

Travel adapter / plug

Travel adapters are permitted in cabin and hold with no restrictions on any major airline.

Wet wipes / baby wipes

Wet wipes are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines without restriction.

Safety pins

Safety pins are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines.

Sewing needles

Sewing needles are permitted in carry-on and hold on most airlines; the final decision lies with the security officer.

Fishing hooks

Fishing hooks are permitted in carry-on if stored safely in a tackle box; sharp exposed hooks may be flagged.

Compass

Compasses are permitted in both cabin and checked baggage on all airlines.

Hiking boots

Hiking boots are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines; count toward your baggage weight allowance.

Protein powder / Supplements

Protein powder over 12oz (340g) in carry-on may require additional TSA screening; hold baggage has no such limit.

Smartphone

Smartphones are permitted in cabin on all airlines; spare lithium batteries or power banks must also be in cabin, not hold.

Contact lens solution

Contact lens solution is medically necessary and exempt from the 3.4oz rule; carry the quantity needed for the journey.

Hand sanitizer

TSA allows one 12oz (355ml) bottle of hand sanitizer per passenger in carry-on (COVID-era rule that became permanent).

Water / Drinks

Sealed bottled water purchased before security cannot be taken through; buy after security or carry an empty bottle to fill post-security.

Fresh fruit

Fruit is generally permitted on the aircraft, but destination country biosecurity rules govern what can be brought off the plane.

Shampoo

Subject to the standard 100ml liquids rule in cabin on all major carriers.

Toothpaste

Subject to the 100ml liquids rule in cabin on all major airlines; larger tubes must be in hold.

Hand cream / moisturiser

Subject to the 100ml liquids/gels rule in carry-on on all major airlines.

Electric toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes are permitted in cabin and hold on all airlines; the lithium battery inside is treated as a device battery.