What can you not pack in a checked bag

What can you fly with?

To prevent inflight danger, many common items are restricted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). If you travel with objects on the TSA prohibited items or FAA Pack Safe Hazmat restrictions lists, they will be confiscated.*

• TSA prohibited items Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines
• FAA Pack Safe Hazmat restrictions Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

*You will be in violation of U.S. Federal Law if you don’t declare any dangerous items. This means you could face up to 5 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000 (49 U.S.C 5124).

Example

Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof

Example

• Beer
• Wine or
• Other alcoholic beverages in retail packaging

Notes

Opened containers aren't allowed.

You can take a maximum of 5 liters per passenger for beverages 24 – 70 percent alcohol by volume in checked bags; customs regulations vary by country.

Example

• Meat
• Cheese
• Sausages
• Lard

Allowed for travel?

See notes

Notes

Due to restrictions set by the European Union (EU), you cannot transport certain products of animal origin into the EU. Please check ahead of time to make sure you comply with these restrictions.

Example

• 9-volt
• AA/AAA/C/D
• Alkaline
• Carbon zinc
• Silver oxide
• Zinc air
• Lithium or lithium-ion
• Nickel-cadmium or nickel-metal hydride

Notes

Please remove batteries from devices in your checked bags and put them in your carry-on in separate plastic bags.

Lithium-ion battery acceptance by Watt-hour (Wh):

• Less than 100 Wh – 4 spares in carry-on bag
• 100 - 160 Wh – 2 spares in carry-on bag
• 160 - 300 Wh – Contact Special Assistance

Special assistance

Example

• Damaged batteries
• Automobile, boat or aircraft batteries

Notes

Example

Portable electronic devices containing cells or batteries (including lithium) and spares for these devices intended for personal use:

• Watch
• Calculator
• Camera
• Cell phone
• Laptop computer
• Notebook computer
• Camcorder

Example

Portable electronic devices containing cells or batteries (including lithium) and spares for these devices not intended for personal use:

• Watch
• Calculator
• Camera
• Cell phone
• Laptop computer
• Notebook computer
• Camcorder
• iPod
• iPad

Notes

We allow up to 2 of each device and 2 spare batteries intended for personal use only, with restrictions:

• Approved devices and batteries are safely packaged in carry-on only
• Bags and boxes carrying more than the allotted amount for personal use will not be accepted

Example

• Metal knives (of any length or type)
• Box cutters
• Ice picks
• Straight razors

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags - yes

Carry-on bag - no

Notes

You can travel with plastic cutlery and safety/disposable razors in your carry-on bag.

Examples

• Mace
• Tear-gas
• Pepper spray

Allowed for travel?

Yes, with restrictions

Notes

Your drone's battery must not exceed 160 Wh

Drone can be carried on if it or its box is less than 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters

Example

Dry ice for packing perishable items

Notes

You can travel with up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kgs as carry-on if:

• Packed in a vented, hard plastic or heavy gauge styrofoam container
• You tell a ticket or gate agent

Example:

• Vapor cigarettes
• e-cigarettes

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags - no
• Carry-on bag - yes

Notes

Since some electronic cigarettes use lithium ion batteries, you cannot travel with them in your checked bags. You can travel with them in your carry-on, but you’re not allowed to use them onboard any flight. We recommend traveling with them in a designated carry case.

Example

• Fireworks
• Gunpowder
• Flares/flare guns
• Swingless golf club load strips

Notes

You can travel with swingless golf clubs without strips.

Example

• Handguns
• Rifles
• Shotguns
• Ammunition

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags - yes*

Carry-on bag - no

Notes

You can travel with firearms in checked bags only if they are declared to an agent at check-in.

You can travel with up to 11lbs/5kg small arms ammunition for sporting purposes in your checked bags if it is:

• Securely packed in the original manufacturers' packaging
• Packaged in fiber, wood, metal or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition

Firearms and ammunition

*Firearms are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags on Landline motorcoach connections.

Example

• Fuel
• Paints
• Gas torches (including micro-torches and torch lighters)
• Flammable glues/epoxies

Example

• Gas-powered trimmers/edgers
• Chain saws

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags - yes

Carry-on bag - no

Notes

You can only travel with gasoline-powered tools in your checked bags if they are:

• New or unused
• In the original packaging (which must be in good condition)

Example

• Bleach
• Spray starch
• Insecticides
• Drain cleaners
• Solvents
• Aerosols
• Oven or bathroom cleaners

Example

• Hoverboards
• Balance wheels
• Electric small scooters
• Intelligent scooters

Notes

We don’t allow lithium ion battery-powered personal transportation devices on board or as carry-on or checked bags.

Example

• Matches
• Lighters or lighter fluid
• Grill lighters

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags - no

Carry-on bag - yes

Notes

When traveling to/from/through Japan, you can carry one lighter per person.

For all other travel, you can also carry-on:

• 1 book of safety matches
• Common “Bic style” and unsealed “Zippo style” lighters

You cannot travel with:

• Torch/wind-proof lighters
• “Strike-anywhere” matches
• Lighter fluid

Example

• Recreational Marijuana
• Medical Marijuana

Notes

Although American is aware of various state laws that allow recreational or medical marijuana possession, the TSA has stated that possession of marijuana, even medical marijuana, is illegal under federal law and that it will refer passengers traveling with marijuana to law enforcement authorities. Accordingly, American does not allow passenger to transport marijuana on our flights. Anyone traveling with or transporting marijuana on American flights does at their own risk.

Example

Electric wheelchairs with spillable batteries

You can travel with mobility devices if:

• Transported according to our guidelines
• Advance notice is given when traveling transatlantic

Mobility and devices

Example

• Aerosol deodorant or hair spray
• Insect repellent
• Perfume or cologne containing alcohol
• Nail polish or nail polish remover
• Large bottles of acetone such as liquid nails

Notes

You can travel with personal care items in your carry-on bag if they are:

• Travel-size (3.4 ounce containers or smaller)
• In a clear, plastic, one-quart zip-top bag

You can travel with personal care items in your checked bags if:

• You have no more than 70 ounces in total
• Each container has no more than 16 fluid ounces

Carry-on bags

Example

• Spray cans
• Butane
• Fuel
• Propane tanks
• CO2 cartridges
• Self-inflating rafts
• Recreational oxygen

Example

• Personal face / full-body pod
• Personal face / full-body tent
• Stadium tent

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags – yes

Carry-on bag – yes

Notes

You can travel with these items in your bag, but they may not be used on board or in flight. If space is limited and the item doesn’t fit in the cabin, it may need to be checked.

Example

• Portable electronic air freshener / purifier
• Ozone generator

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags – no

Carry-on bag – yes

Example

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices

Notes

Includes recalled and replacement devices.

Example

• Flameless meal products such as HeaterMeals
• Meals Ready-To-Eat (MREs)

Example

Self-inflating life jackets with no more than 2 small CO2 cartridges for inflation purposes

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags - yes

Carry-on bag - no

Notes

You can only travel with one life jacket in your checked bag, but it may be confiscated by the TSA.

Example

• Metal scissors
• Screwdrivers
• Wrenches
• Pliers

Allowed for travel?

Yes but with restrictions

Notes

You can travel with such items as carry-on if their measurements are:

• Cutting edge of up to 4-inches : metal scissors
• Up to 7-inches : tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers

Example

• Crowbars
• Drills
• Hammers
• Saws

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags - yes

Carry-on bag - no

Example

Checked or carry-on bags with charging devices

Allowed to travel?

Yes but with restrictions

Notes

You can travel with these bags as a carry-on if the battery is removable. If the bag needs to be checked or valeted you must remove the battery and carry it with you. Bags with non-removable batteries won't be accepted.

Example

• TASER devices
• Stun guns
• Electro-shock weapons (conducted electrical weapons)

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags - yes
• Carry-on bag - no

Notes

You can travel with stun guns / shocking devices in checked bags only if transported in a manner that renders the device inoperable from accidental discharge.

Please remove all batteries from devices in your checked bags and put them in your carry-on in separate plastic bags.

Lithium-ion battery acceptance by Watt-hour (Wh):

• Less than 100 Wh – 4 spares in carry-on bag
• 100 - 160 Wh – 2 spares in carry-on bag
• 160 - 300 Wh – Contact Special Assistance

Special assistance

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