If you want to look your best on your next vacation, you might be wondering if you can bring a hair dryer on a plane.
Yes, you can bring a hair dryer on a plane in both your checked and carry on bags.
However, there are a few important things to know, especially if you’re flying internationally, what the best hair dry to fly with is, and what the TSA says about bringing other hair products on a plane.
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Bringing a Hair Dryer on Domestic and International Flights
The TSA clearly state that you can bring a hair dryer on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
But what if you’re flying internationally?
Fortunately, regardless if you’re flying domestically within the USA or internationally, you can pack your hair dryer in both your carry on and checked bags.
Airline Regulations for Hair Dryers
Again, it makes no difference if you’re flying with Southwest, JetBlue, United, American Airlines, or any other regional or major carrier domestically or worldwide.
All airlines will allow you to bring your hair dryer with you.
No Need to Take Your Hair Dryer Out at Security
If you are planning on packing your hair dryer in your carry on, the TSA won’t require you to take it out as you go through airport security.
Should You Buy a Travel Hair Dryer?
Buying a travel hair dryer can be a good idea.
They are nice and lightweight and can feature things like foldable handles and retractable cords too, but the trade-off is that they aren’t as powerful as full-sized models like a Dyson Supersonic.
Perhaps most importantly, many travel hair dryers have a dual voltage setting, which makes them suitable for international travel.
It’s up to you to decide what is more important to you.
Keep in mind that while there are powerful, lightweight hair dryers, though they are usually more expensive.
If you want to buy a travel hair dryer, we recommend the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Travel Dryer.
Your Hair Dryer Might Not Work Abroad
As you may be aware, countries use different types of outlets.
In the USA, a standard plug has two prongs, whereas other countries may have 3-prongs or be designed differently.
For most electrical devices, you usually just need to buy a travel adapter to be able to use it worldwide.
This is because even though the voltage in the U.S. is 120 V, most devices are designed to be used between 100-240V.
For hair dryers, though, this is not the case.
Your hair dryer will therefore only work abroad, if the voltage is converted.
Some hair dryers, especially travel hair dryers, have a dual voltage setting, so you can easily switch between the voltage.
If your hair dryer doesn’t have this setting, you will need to buy a voltage converter.
Some voltage converters, like this one, also feature support for different types of outlets, so we recommend buying one of those.
Don’t Use Your Hair Dryer on the Plane
If you have a long flight, you might want to know if you can use a hair dryer on a plane, so you can look your best when you arrive at your destination.
While you are allowed to bring your blow dryer onboard, you are not allowed to use it on the plane.
Your hair dryer should remain in your carry on.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).