Hair straighteners are a staple for many women and men in their hairstyling regime, so you might be wondering if you can bring hair straighteners on a plane on your next flight.
The TSA state that corded hair straighteners are allowed in both your carry on and checked bags as long they don’t contain batteries or gas/fuel cartridges.
Cordless hair straighteners that contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries or are gas or butane fueled are only allowed in carry-on bags.
There’s a lot more to know, though, including if regulations vary when traveling internationally, if your hair straighteners will work abroad, and what the rules are if you want to bring other haircare and hairstyling products.
Bringing Hair Straighteners in Your Carry on Bag
According to the TSA, corded hair straighteners and models that contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries or are gas or butane fueled are allowed in your carry on.
A safety cover must be securely fitted over the heating element, and the device must be protected from accidental activation, too.
Bringing Hair Straighteners in Your Checked Bag
If you want to pack hair straighteners in your checked bag, they must either be corded, or not contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries or be gas or butane powered if they are cordless.
This is because lithium and lithium-ion battery powered straighteners, as well as gas or butane fueled models, are a fire hazard.
The Same Rules Apply Internationally
Regardless if you’re flying domestically within the USA or internationally, the same rules apply.
This means that corded hair straighteners are allowed in both your carry on and checked bags, as long they don’t contain batteries or gas/fuel cartridges.
Cordless hair straighteners that contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries or are gas or butane fueled must be packed in carry-on bags.
Airline Regulations
All airlines follow TSA regulations.
So, regardless if you’re flying with Southwest, Delta, United, American Airlines, Alaska, JetBlue, or any other regional or major air carrier, the same rules stated above apply.
No Need to Take the Straighteners Out for Screening
Hair straighteners (along with curling irons and hair dryers) do not need to be taken out of your carry on bag for separate screening.
Hair Straighteners Might Not Always Work Abroad
Countries around the world have different outlets and voltages.
This means that, depending on where you are traveling to, your hair straighteners might not work abroad without additional steps.
Dual-voltage hair straighteners will only need a travel adapter to work abroad, while non-dual-voltage straighteners will need both an adapter and voltage converter, though you can usually buy an adapter that changes the voltage too.
You may find, printed on the handle, base or plug of your hair straighteners, text that reads 100/240V or something similar that indicates that it is dual-voltage and will work abroad.
Generally, the voltage in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and other countries in Central and Latin America is 120 V, but is 220 – 240V everywhere else.
You Can Bring a Curling Iron on a Plane
According to TSA regulations, you can bring corded curling irons on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
Cordless curling irons that contain lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries or are gas or butane fueled can be packed in your carry on, but are not allowed in your checked bags.
You Can Also Bring a Hair Dryer
You can bring a hair dryer on a plane in both your checked and carry on bags.
Again, unless you have a dual-voltage model, your hair dryer may not work abroad depending on where you are traveling to without additional steps.
Other Haircare Products
- Shampoo: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
- Dry Shampoo: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
- Hair Gel, Pomade, Wax: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
- Hairspray: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
- Hair Dryer: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags.
- Hair Clippers: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags.
- Curling Irons: In both your carry on and checked bags. If they contain batteries or gas/fuel cartridges, they must be packed in your carry on.
Robert is an expert in commercial air travel with decades of experience in the travel industry, and has spent countless hours in airports and on planes for work.
He therefore has an unrivaled understanding of everything related to commercial air travel.
Whether you need help navigating the complicated TSA regulations or want insider tips on how to find the best deals on flights, Robert has the expertise and experience to help our readers.
Robert's knowledge and insights have been led to him either being quoted or mentioned in major publications, including Insider, Trip Savvy, ZDNet, and Bored Panda
You can contact Robert at travel@executiveflyers.com
