If you regularly use a flat to keep your hair the way you want it then you will probably want to take it with you when you travel.
But can you take a flat iron on a plane in your carry on or your checked baggage?
The Quick Answer: Can you bring a flat iron on a plane? The TSA regulations allow you to take a flat iron on a plane. An electric flat iron can be carried in either your carry on or your checked bags but a gas-powered flat iron can only be carried in your carry on bag. That is good news for travelers who want to look their best while they are away.
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Can you take a flat iron through airport security in carry on?
There are no restrictions on taking a flat iron through a security checkpoint at the airport. They can be left in your carry on when the bag goes through the x-ray machine so you do not need to remove them and place them in a tray.
However, if it is a gas powered flat iron, then the gas cartridge must be properly fitted and have a safety cover over the heating element. This may well be checked by the security agent after it passes through the x-ray machine.
You cannot carry spare gas/butane cartridges through the security checkpoint.
@AskTSA Service
The TSA offers a very good service on Twitter (and Facebook) where you can ask any questions you may have about whether you can take something through the security checkpoint and they will respond quickly.
These are two example responses to a passenger’s question regarding carrying an electric and a gas flat iron:
NOTE: If you have a gas flat iron in your carry on, even though it is a self-contained unit, you are not permitted to use it while onboard the aircraft. It must stay in your carry on while on board with the safety cover in place.
Can you take a flat iron in your checked bags?
Electric flat iron – Electric flat irons can be packed in your suitcase and travel in checked baggage without restrictions.
Gas flat iron – these cannot be put in your checked bags and neither can spare gas cartridges. If you do then the bags are likely to be opened and the items confiscated by airport security. The reason for this is that if the gas canister leaked and caught fire then the crew could not reach it to put it out.
Will my flat iron work if traveling internationally?
Although it would be very convenient if they were, electrical sockets are not the same worldwide. US plugs will not fit in sockets in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and elsewhere.
So to use your electric flat iron when traveling overseas in Europe and elsewhere you will need to purchase a travel adapter.
The most popular adapter is the Ceptics World Travel Power Adapter. This will allow you to plug your devices into sockets overseas in Europe and Asia. It also has 3 USB sockets to charge phones, laptops, tablets etc without taking a different one for each.
One more thing you need to be aware of is that most US flat irons operate on 110 volts whereas in most other countries they use 220-240 volts. Now many devices these days are designed to operate on dual voltage so they will work anywhere. However, this is not always the case so you should check the specification of your flat iron before you pack it to be sure.
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Can you take a curling iron on a plane?
Can you bring a hair straightener on a plane?
Can I take hairspray on a plane?
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
