What to Pack and What to Avoid in Your Carry-On Bag to Breeze Through TSA Lines

A carry-on bag ensures you have your entertainment and snacks during the flight and all the essentials at your destination, even if your checked luggage gets lost. Items like passports, prescriptions, toiletries, cash and clothes are must-haves when it comes to carry-ons. Believe me, packing extra clothes in mine saved me when my checked bag was lost on the way to London.

Following Transportation Security Administration guidelines for each major US airline is also a must. Doing a little research on the latest rules and regulations can help you ace the experience without getting held up. In fact, AAA is predicting a record amount of travelers this holiday season, totaling more than 119 million people, nearly 8 million of whom will be traveling by air, from Saturday, Dec. 21, to Wednesday, Jan. 2. With millions of people hitting the airports at the same time, it’s best to know how to pack to save time and avoid headaches caused by prohibited items. 

You can’t control what TSA officials confiscate, but you can control what you pack and how you pack it. Here’s how to pack your carry-on bag efficiently for this holiday season and beyond. 

For more travel tips, explore these travel essentials you need for every vacation and then take a look at this travel checklist.

The best carry-on travel bags

Before you start packing, you’ll have to find the right carry-on bag. Here are a few important things to keep in mind.

What size carry-on should you get?

The first and most important aspect to think about is size. Federal Aviation Administration regulations say carry-on items can’t exceed dimensions of 22 by 14 by 9 inches, though you might find an inch or two of difference depending on the airline. The general rule is that it must fit under your seat or in the overhead enclosed storage compartment on the plane. 

Here’s a quick reference for size limits for the most popular US airlines.

Carry-on items by airline

Airline	Cabin	Maximum size
Air Canada	All	55 x 40 x 23 cm; 21.5 x 15.5 x 9 in
Alaska Airlines	All	55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in
American Airlines	All	56 x 36 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in
British Airways	All	56 x 45 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 in
Delta Air Lines	All	56 x 35 x 23 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in
Frontier Airlines	All	60.96 x 40.64 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 in
Hawaiian Airlines	All	55.9 x 35.5 x 22.9 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in
JetBlue Airways	All	55.88 x 35.56 x 22.86 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in
Southwest Airlines	All	60.9 x 40.6 x 25.4 cm; 24 x 16 x 10 in
Spirit Airlines	All	56 x 46 x 25 cm; 22 x 18 x 10 in
United Airlines	All	56 x 35 x 22 cm; 22 x 14 x 9 in

How to pack your carry-on the right way

Though what to pack in your carry-on ultimately depends on your preferences, there are a few guidelines for the best way to pack your luggage:

• Pack items in layers (shoes one layer, clothes one layer, electronics one layer, etc.).
• Pack the things you’ll use the least at the bottom of the bag.
• Keep most of your valuables in your carry-on luggage, and store them in side compartments or safely padded around other items.
• Place valuables at the bottom of your bag, away from the opening.
• Keep your wallet, credit cards and cash in an inner pocket so they’ll be harder to steal.
• Pack a small, separate bag for toiletries. (Liquids, gels and aerosols packed in carry-on must follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container; all liquids must fit in one quart size, clear, plastic, zip-top bag; one bag per passenger.)
• Roll your clothes tightly to save space in your luggage. 

Sometimes you lose your luggage. It happens. Though it’s frustrating, it’s important to pack a spare set of clothes (including socks and underwear!) in your carry-on to hold you over until your bags are found and returned. Pack clothing that can easily be rolled up and put in the bottom of your bag.

What you should never pack in your carry-on bag

The TSA has specific guidelines covering which items are banned from flights, and the agency takes those rules very seriously. In 2023 alone, the TSA screened more than 858 million passengers and crew members nationwide, and it confiscated a record number of firearms (6,737) and many other items. TSA policy says that individuals carrying weapons, especially loaded firearms, can face fines or criminal penalties. 

These are some of the most commonly confiscated items:

• Firearms
• Fireworks
• Box cutters, utility knives and razors
• Bats, clubs and blades
• Swiss Army knives
• Sharp 

If in doubt, always refer to the TSA’s guidelines on packing for flights, to ensure you have safe and easy travels. 

If you’re planning a vacation soon and are stressed about packing or preparing, CNET has plenty of resources to help. Get ready for your next trip with these hacks and tips: