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.
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.
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).
