For U.S. flights, the rules come from different places: TSA handles checkpoint screening, FAA guidance covers aviation safety and hazardous materials, DOT sets consumer protections, and airlines decide many baggage, pet and seating policies. Here are 16 practical checks—and where carrier or destination requirements can change the answer.
What must you do at the airport security checkpoint?
1. Bring acceptable identification
TSA requires travelers age 18 and older to show valid identification at the checkpoint. Check TSA’s current list of Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint before you leave; a passport is one accepted alternative. ID requirements and implementation can change, so do not rely on an old list or assume a particular document will work.
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2. Follow screening instructions, even for permitted items
An item that is generally allowed can still be selected for additional screening. Follow the instructions of TSA officers and check TSA’s What Can I Bring? resource or prohibited-items list when you are unsure about an object. Permission to carry something through security does not mean it is exempt from inspection.
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For most liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in carry-on baggage, TSA’s 3-1-1 rule limits each container to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters), with containers fitting in one quart-size bag. Medically necessary liquids are excepted from the ordinary limit, but declare them for screening and allow time for inspection. The rule concerns checkpoint screening; it does not mean all liquids are prohibited.
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4. Check both security rules and hazardous-material rules
TSA screening restrictions and FAA dangerous-goods safety rules are separate systems, even when they cover the same item. A sharp object, flammable product, pressurized container or battery-powered device may raise questions under one or both. Check TSA guidance for checkpoint permission and FAA’s PackSafe for Passengers guidance for hazardous-material restrictions before packing an unusual item.
What baggage and battery rules affect your carry-on?
5. Keep spare lithium batteries and power banks in the cabin
FAA guidance says spare lithium batteries—including power banks and portable chargers—must travel in carry-on baggage, not checked baggage. Protect them from damage and short circuit, for example by keeping them in their original packaging or otherwise preventing their contacts from touching metal objects. If a carry-on is taken at the gate and checked, remove spare batteries and power banks first.
6. Check the watt-hour rating and get approval when required
The FAA’s passenger guidance gives these capacity thresholds for rechargeable batteries. They are not a blanket rule for every battery chemistry or for mobility devices; check the relevant rules for those items, and confirm any stricter airline or international requirements.
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| Battery capacity | FAA passenger guidance |
|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Generally permitted as a passenger battery. |
| 101–160 Wh | Requires airline approval and is subject to quantity restrictions. |
| Above 160 Wh | Not allowed on passenger aircraft under this guidance. |
Check the label or manufacturer’s specifications for watt-hours (Wh). The FAA notes that battery size matters because not all batteries are safe to travel with. If the rating is unclear, contact the airline before arriving at the airport.
7. Do not bring a hazardous damaged or recalled battery
The FAA says a damaged or recalled battery that is likely to spark or generate dangerous heat must not be carried in either checked or carry-on baggage unless it has been removed or otherwise made safe. Do not assume moving it to the cabin solves the risk; ask the manufacturer or airline what safe handling requires.
8. Use your operating airline’s carry-on allowance and dimensions
There is no single carry-on size in the cited federal guidance that applies to every airline, fare and aircraft. Check the operating carrier’s current baggage page for the allowed number of bags, size and weight limits, and any fare-specific restrictions. TSA advises making sure a bag can fit in the overhead bin or under the seat; an airline may have stricter requirements or limited onboard space. If a ticket involves multiple carriers, confirm which carrier operates each flight and whose baggage rules apply.
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What should you know before flying with an animal?
9. Do not assume an ordinary pet can travel in the cabin
The FAA leaves the decision to accept ordinary pets in the cabin to each airline. Where a carrier permits a pet, its carrier typically counts toward the passenger’s carry-on allowance and must fit under the seat and be stowed as required. Check the operating airline’s pet policy before buying a ticket.
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10. Treat service animals separately from pets
Service animals on U.S. airlines are covered by DOT requirements, not simply by an airline’s ordinary-pet policy. An animal does not qualify as a service animal merely because it provides comfort, and airline processes and documentation requirements differ from pet procedures. Review DOT’s current About the Air Carrier Access Act guidance and contact the airline about the steps for your itinerary.
11. Confirm pet procedures before booking
Cabin availability, carrier dimensions, fees and advance arrangements are carrier-specific, and spaces for pets may be limited. FAA recommends contacting the airline. Ask about the exact flight and aircraft, the carrier’s under-seat dimensions, required reservations and any destination rules; an airline’s approval does not replace entry requirements set by a destination or transit country.
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When can you get a refund, and what help can you expect during a delay?
12. A qualifying cancellation or significant change can give you a refund right
Under DOT guidance, if an airline cancels a flight or makes a qualifying significant change and you decline the alternative offered, you are entitled to a refund—even if the ticket was nonrefundable. The DOT’s thresholds include a departure scheduled at least three hours earlier or arrival at least three hours later for domestic travel, and six hours for international travel; qualifying itinerary changes can also count. Not every delay meets the standard. Check DOT’s Refunds guidance for the full criteria and how the refund applies to your ticket and itinerary.
13. The 24-hour booking rule has conditions
For an eligible ticket bought at least seven days before departure, an airline must offer either a 24-hour hold or a cancellation within 24 hours for a full refund. The airline chooses which option to provide. DOT says the rule does not apply to bookings made through travel agents or online travel agencies, so check the terms of the seller you used rather than assuming the same right applies to every reservation.
14. Refunds and delay amenities are different protections
A refund right does not automatically promise a hotel, meal or rebooking on another carrier. Those services depend on the circumstances and the operating airline’s commitments. DOT’s Airline Customer Service Dashboard lists participating airlines’ commitments for controllable delays and cancellations. DOT generally describes controllable delays as those caused by the airline, with examples including maintenance or crew problems, cabin cleaning, baggage loading and fueling. Check the dashboard for the carrier operating your flight and distinguish its stated commitments from a refund you may be owed.
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What should you confirm about seating, accessibility and flight status?
15. Check the conditions for sitting with a child
Do not assume every airline must provide a fee-free adjacent seat in every situation. DOT’s Airline Family Seating Dashboard describes the conditions under which participating airlines that assign seats and guarantee fee-free family seating provide adjacent seats for an adult and a child age 13 or under, no later than the day before the flight. Check whether the airline participates and whether your booking meets the stated conditions; contact the carrier promptly if it does not.
16. Arrange accessibility needs and monitor the actual flight
DOT’s Air Carrier Access Act guidance and FAA accessibility information explain protections and travel considerations for passengers with disabilities. The arrangements needed can depend on the passenger’s needs and the aircraft, so contact the airline early about assistance, equipment and boarding. Before departure, check FAA National Airspace System status, weather and the airline’s flight-specific updates; a general airport or route status is not a substitute for checking your own flight.
How should you use these rules when planning a trip?
Use TSA guidance for screening, FAA guidance for batteries and hazardous goods, DOT guidance for refunds and accessibility, and the operating airline’s current policies for baggage, pets and seats. If your itinerary crosses borders or uses connecting carriers, also verify requirements with the relevant destination and transit authorities. Recheck variable policies close to departure, since airline, fare, aircraft and international requirements can differ.
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