Topline:
Another holiday weekend is here where thousands fly away for a break. But take a look at those bags before you leave — the Transportation Security Administration has banned more items from checked bags.
What can’t I bring? Cordless hair tools, like straighteners and curling irons, that have butane or lithium can’t be in checked bags anymore. You can only store these in your carry-on bags. Plug-in hairstyling tools aren’t restricted.
Why now? The move aims to reduce in-flight combustion problems. Lithium batteries and items with gas or butane can sometimes catch fire and explode. Having these restricted to carry-on allows flight attendants to respond if there’s an issue.
What if I have questions? You may come across something you want to bring that’s not covered in TSA’s What Can I Bring tool. The agency has a customer service department that can answer those questions. It can be reached on social media or by texting “travel” to 275-872.
The apex of summer travel is here: Labor Day weekend.
But before you hop on the plane at LAX (with a dream and a cardigan), take a look at what you’ve packed for the trip. There are updated rules on where passengers can and cannot store specific items.
Taking cordless hair styling tools on a flight? There’s new TSA rules
It’s part of a broader effort to control potentially flammable items onboard. Here’s what you should know.
The restrictions
The Federal Aviation Administration updated its prohibited items list recently, which affects your experience with the Transportation Security Administration.
People who love travel hair tools may notice it more. Cordless straighteners and curling irons no longer can be put in your checked luggage if they have these components:
- Gas or butane-fueled
- Lithium metal
- Lithium ion batteries
For younger folks, yes, butane curling irons do exist. Their popularity dipped with the rise of battery-powered options.
Both of these versions are allowed only in carry-on bags, according to PackSafe from the FAA. Leave any gas refill cartridges at home. If agents catch these in the wrong bag, it could be confiscated as a HAZMAT item.
If you do choose to take one of these on a domestic flight, you’re required to put a securely fitted safety cover over the heating area (these usually come with the tools). It also needs to be packed in a way that prevents accidental activation.
Plug-in straighteners and curling irons aren’t restricted unless they have a battery or gas piece.
Why is this an issue?
Safe handling of lithium batteries has been a big focus for the FAA as problems rise.
Last year, there were 89 recorded battery incidents involving smoke, fire, or extreme heat in flights — the highest number since at least 2016.
The FAA also restricted items like portable power banks to carry-on only earlier this year.
The reasoning goes back to accessibility during an emergency.
“Checked baggage goes to the belly of the aircraft, [which] is out of reach and cannot be monitored by passengers and crew,” a TSA spokesperson told LAist.
If one of these tools were to catch fire, no one would be in the luggage area to put it out.
You can always contact the TSA if you’re ever unsure about an item. AskTSA’s live service is available daily between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Pacific time. It can be reached via social media on X, Facebook Messenger, and Apple Messages. You also can text “travel” to 275-872.
