United Airlines strictly prohibits explosives, flammable items, fireworks, compressed gases, corrosive materials (like bleach and drain cleaners), toxic substances, and self-balancing devices like hoverboards. Firearms, ammunition, and specific lithium batteries are heavily restricted or banned from checked luggage.
United Airlines strictly prohibits items that compromise aircraft safety. Review the Dangerous Items | United Airlines guide or the TSA What Can I Bring tool before your flight.
United Airlines enforces standard Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations for toiletries. Carry-on liquids, gels, and aerosols must be 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less per container and fit into one clear, quart-sized plastic bag. Larger toiletries must be placed in checked luggage.
A carry-on bag cannot contain weapons, sharp objects, explosives, flammable items, or large liquids/creams. Specific prohibited items include:
Personal items
These items must fit under the seat in front of you, so they must be 9 in x 10 in x 17 in (22 cm x 25 cm x 43 cm). Common things include purses, backpacks and laptop bags.
Backpacks, totes, and crossbody bags are typically considered personal items too. The key to remember is it must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you.
In your carry-on bag, any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) is strictly prohibited. Additionally, highly flammable, corrosive, or dangerous chemical grooming products are banned entirely from all luggage.
People avoid Seat 11A on many aircraft (particularly Boeing 737s) because it is a "windowless window seat". Due to the placement of air-conditioning ducts and structural reinforcements over the wing, you will often find yourself staring at a solid wall instead of having a view.
Toothpaste tubes 3.4 ounces or smaller can go in carry-on suitcases. Anything larger will need to be packed in checked luggage. Use a TSA-approved toiletry bag. If you're carrying on, put your toothpaste and other liquid toiletries in a quart-sized clear zip-top bag, per the TSA's recommendations.
For a flight, leggings are the better choice for comfort and circulation, provided they aren't overly restrictive. Because your body swells at high altitudes, tight jeans can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of circulation issues like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
You do not need to place your phone loosely in a security tray. To prevent theft or loss, it is highly recommended to zip your phone into an inner pocket of your carry-on bag before it goes through the X-ray machine.
Flight attendants advise against using oversized hard-shell suitcases, four-wheel spinners, and bags with expanding zippers for your carry-on. These styles are frequently flagged for causing issues with overhead bin space, strict airline sizing boxes, and airport maneuverability.
Yes, for airport carry-on luggage, you still generally need to place your liquids, aerosols, and gels into a clear plastic bag.
There is no newly mandated universal carry-on size, but major airlines are strictly cracking down on size compliance, detachable power banks, and weight limits.
In most contexts, the "45-minute rule" refers to the strict airline deadline requiring passengers to complete check-in and drop off any checked luggage at least 45 minutes prior to scheduled domestic departures. Missing this cutoff means the airline can deny boarding or refuse to accept your bags.
You can take as many Ziploc bags as you like to organize non-liquid items. However, for liquids, aerosols, and gels in your carry-on, you are strictly limited to one clear, quart-sized Ziploc bag per passenger.
Any sharp objects in checked baggage should be sheathed or securely wrapped to prevent injury to baggage handlers and inspectors. The final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.
Yes, you can absolutely bring sandwiches on a plane in both your carry-on and checked luggage. The TSA does not restrict solid foods, but they do regulate the ingredients.
1. Coffee ☕ (Or Any Caffeinated Drink)
It's All About Safety
Takeoff and landing are famously the most critical and potentially hazardous periods of a flight, and so it's important for the crew to be ready in case anything goes wrong. This upright, hands-under-the-legs way of sitting therefore ensures that all members of the crew are braced for action.
The "three seat economy trick" is a travel hack used by pairs of passengers to secure an entire row of three seats to themselves for free. When traveling together, you and your companion book the window and aisle seats in a three-seat row, leaving the middle seat empty.
The most frequently forgotten items when traveling are phone chargers, toothbrushes, and sunscreen. Because these are used daily right up until the moment of departure—often in the bathroom or on the nightstand—they are easily left behind.
You should avoid tying ribbons to your suitcase because the fabric can obstruct barcode scanners, triggering a "no-read" error. This forces your bag into manual processing, which can cause severe delays and result in your luggage missing your flight. Furthermore, dangling ribbons can easily get caught in airport conveyor belt rollers, potentially jamming the system, ripping off your suitcase handle, or tearing open the zipper.
You can bring your medication in pill or solid form in unlimited amounts as long as it is screened. You can travel with your medication in both carry-on and checked baggage. It's highly recommended you place these items in your carry-on in the event that you need immediate access.