You are off on an important trip by air for a business meeting, or a social occasion, and you naturally want to look your best.
But if it is only an overnight trip you probably don’t want to take any checked baggage. So, you need to know if you can bring your hair straightener in your carry on bag.
Obviously, the last thing you want is to have your hair straightener confiscated by airport security so make sure that yours meets the full rules provided below.
The Quick Answer: Can you bring a hair straightener on a plane carry on? TSA rules permit you to take an electric hair straightener in carry on bags and also put them in your checked luggage. However, Gas-powered hair straighteners can only be carried in your hand luggage, not in checked luggage.
Contents
Do you have to take hair straighteners out at security?
Yes, you can bring a hair straightener on a plane in carry on luggage with you without worrying provided it is electrically powered, either by means of a mains cord or a cordless battery-operated device. You can normally leave these in your carry on bag when they go through the x-ray machine at the security checkpoint.
However, things change from time to time, so you won’t be wrong if you take your hair straighteners out of your carry on bag at the security checkpoint and place them in one of the trays to go through the x-ray machine.
If you are taking butane gas hair straighteners through the TSA security checkpoint then you would be well advised to take them out of your carry on bag and place them in a separate bin so they can be screened separately. This may save you time by not needing a separate bag search.
You should just bear in mind that the final decision remains with the individual TSA security agent about whether an item is allowed through checkpoints and on a plane.
This passenger is asking the TSA can I bring a hair straightener on a plane:
Are hair straighteners allowed in checked bags?
Carrying anything bulky, particularly that have electric leads, that you cannot use while on board an aircraft is a waste of carry on luggage space. So if you are also taking a checked bag you should consider putting them in there.
But can you put a hair straightener in checked bags?
Absolutely, you may put your hair straightener in your checked baggage, but only if it is the electric type and not a butane-powered hair straightener. For the TSA regulations relating to gas hair straighteners see below.
Can you take hair straighteners with a butane cartridge on a plane?
Butane gas-powered straighteners and curlers are allowed on board in your carry on bags. But the following restrictions apply
- you can only have one set of butane-powered hair straighteners in your hand luggage
- the safety cover must be fitted to prevent accidental activation
- you cannot carry any spare butane canisters
You must remember though that a butane hair straightener is not allowed in checked bags.
The TSA state that you cannot carry spare gas cartridges in either hand luggage or in your checked luggage.
If you are likely to run out of gas while you are away you will have to try and buy a new gas cartridge at your destination. They are generally quite universal so that shouldn’t be too difficult.
This is a question from a passenger regarding the rules for carrying a spare butane cartridge and the TSA response confirming that it cannot be taken in either hand or checked luggage.
Can you use a hair straightener on a plane?
You are not permitted to use a butane hair straightener while on board and since you are unlikely to have access to a mains power supply then using a mains device with a cord would not be possible.
You could use cordless hair straighteners during the flight. Obviously, you should be mindful of other passengers so this should be done only in the aircraft’s restroom where you will also have a mirror to see what you are doing.
Can you take other hair styling tools on a plane?
When we refer to hair straighteners we also include most other forms of hair styling tools.
This means that you can also bring the following hair styling items on a plane as well:
- a curling iron (including a butane curling iron)
- a curling tong
- a flat iron
- a hair iron
- hot rollers (electric hair rollers)
- an electric hot air brush
- an electric hot comb
- standard combs and brushes
All of these are treated exactly the same as a hair straightener, with gas-powered items only being allowed in hand luggage and not checked luggage.
Will my hair straighteners work if traveling internationally?
Electrical outlets overseas
Electrical sockets are not the same worldwide. US plugs will not fit in sockets in the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia and elsewhere for example.
You will probably need to purchase a travel adapter so you can charge or use your devices, including hair straighteners, when traveling overseas.
The most popular is the Ceptics World Travel Power Adapter – 3 USB Ports Wall Charger Type I C G A Outlets 110V 220V A/C – 5V D/C – EU Euro US UK.
This will allow you to plug your devices into sockets overseas. It also has 3 USB sockets to charge phones, laptops, tablets etc without taking a different one for each.
Electricity voltages overseas
One more thing you need to be aware of is that most US devices operate on 110 volts, whereas in most other countries they use 220-240 volts.
Fortunately, many devices these days are designed to operate on dual voltage so they will work anywhere. However, this is not always the case.
You should check the specification of your hair straightener to determine if they are dual voltage or not to be sure otherwise you may arrive at your destination to find they may not work or could potentially be dangerous to use.
Travel hair flat iron/straighteners
If you check yours and find it is not dual voltage, or it is quite bulky, you may wish to consider buying one of the hair styling tools specially made for traveling which will work anywhere and will not take up too much hand luggage.
The LOVANI Mini Flat Iron Travel Size is one of the most popular flat iron available on Amazon:
I have specific articles that detail the rules regarding carrying other products you may use for your hair styling as follows:
- Hair dryers – Can you bring a hair dryer on a plane?
- Hairspray – Can you bring hairspray on a plane?
- Dry shampoo – Can you bring dry shampoo on a plane?
- Curling Iron – Can I bring a curling iron in my carry on?
- Flat iron – Can you bring a flat iron on a plane?
- Hair gel – Can I bring hair gel on a plane?
- Shampoo – How much shampoo can you bring on a plane?
- Hair clippers – Can you bring hair clippers on a plane?
Summary
The TSA rules state that you can take a hair straightener in carry on bags and also put them in your checked luggage.
Gas-powered hair straighteners can only be carried in your hand luggage, not in checked luggage.
Further airport security articles:
The complete guide to passing through airport security quickly
Maximum liquid permitted in carry on on a plane. TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule.
Can I bring deodorants on a plane
What is not allowed in checked baggage?
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
