Restricted items

Example

Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof

Allowed for travel?

No

Examples

• Beer
• Wine or
• Other alcoholic beverages in retail packaging

Allowed for travel?

Checked bags – Yes

Visit the TSA for rules on carry-on bags Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines

Notes

Opened containers aren't allowed.

You can take a maximum of 5 liters per passenger for beverages 24 – 70 percent alcohol by volume in checked bags; customs regulations vary by country.

Examples

• Meat
• Cheese
• Sausages
• Lard

Allowed for travel?

See notes

Notes

Due to restrictions set by the European Union (EU), you cannot transport certain products of animal origin into the EU. Please check ahead of time to make sure you comply with these restrictions.

Examples

• 9-volt
• AA / AAA / C / D
• Alkaline
• Carbon zinc
• Nickel cadmium (NiCd)
• Nickel metal hydride (NiMH)
• Silver oxide
• Zinc air

Allowed for travel?

Yes

Notes

• Remove batteries from devices in checked bags and place them in your carry-on bag.
• Store spare batteries in separate plastic bags.

Examples

• Lithium metal
• Lithium ion

Allowed for travel?

Yes, with restrictions

Notes

• Lithium batteries must be carried in carry-on bags only.
• Spare batteries must be individually protected.

Lithium ion battery limits (by watt hours, Wh):

• Less than 100 Wh: Up to 4 spare batteries in carry-on
• 100–160 Wh: Up to 2 spare batteries in carry on
• 160–300 Wh: Contact Special Assistance before traveling

Special assistance

Examples

• Watch
• Calculator
• Camcorder
• Camera
• Cell phone
• Laptop or notebook computer

Allowed for travel?

Yes

Notes

You may bring up to 2 spare batteries for personal use, with these restrictions:

• Each spare battery must be individually protected under our lithium battery policy
• Spare batteries are carry-on only
• Lithium metal batteries: Maximum 2 grams of lithium per battery
• Lithium ion batteries: Maximum of 2 spares, each not exceeding 160 Wh, with airline approval

Traveling with lithium batteries Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

Examples

• Watch
• Calculator
• Camcorder
• Camera
• Cell phone
• iPad
• iPod
• Laptop computer
• Notebook computer

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

• We allow up to 2 of each device and 2 spare batteries for personal use only
• Devices and batteries must be safely packaged in carry-on bags
• Bags or boxes exceeding the personal use limit will not be accepted

Examples

• Large portable power banks
• Lithium-ion powered generators

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

Large portable power banks or lithium ion generators are not allowed, including (but not limited to):

• 4Patriots
• Bluetti
• Daran
• EcoFlow
• Jackery
• Power Queen
• Solar Recharged
• Vevor

Example

Portable chargers (power banks)

Allowed for travel?

• Carry-on – Yes
• Checked bags – No

Notes

• Limit 2 portable chargers per passenger while onboard
• Each charger must not exceed 100 watt hours (Wh)
• The Wh rating is usually printed on the back or base of the charger

If only mAh is listed, use this formula to calculate watt hours (Wh):

Wh = mAh × 3.7 / 1,000

Example:

A 10,000 mAh portable charger equals 37 Wh
(10,000 × 3.7 / 1,000 = 37 Wh)

While onboard

• Keep portable chargers within reach and visible while in use
• Store them in an easily accessible place, such as:
  • A personal item under the seat
  • The seatback pocket

Do not:

• Use in seat power outlets to recharge portable chargers while onboard
• Store portable chargers in overhead bins or other enclosed spaces

Examples

• Damaged batteries
• Automobile, boat or aircraft batteries

Allowed for travel?

No

Examples

• Metal knives (of any length or type)
• Box cutters
• Ice picks
• Straight razors

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes
• Carry-on bag – No

Notes

You can travel with plastic cutlery and safety/disposable razors in your carry-on bag.

Examples

• Mace
• Tear-gas
• Pepper spray

Allowed for travel?

No

Example

Drones

Allowed for travel?

Yes, with restrictions*

Notes

Your drone's battery must not exceed 160 Wh.

All drone batteries must be removed before travel and must be packed in a carry-on bag.

Lithium ion batteries aren’t allowed in checked bags.

Drones without installed batteries can travel in checked bags.

Drones traveling in a carry on bag must be less than 22 x 14 x 9 inches (56 x 36 x 23 centimeters).

Example

Dry ice for packing perishable items

Allowed for travel?

Yes

Notes

You can travel with up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kgs as carry-on if:

• Packed in a vented, hard plastic or heavy gauge styrofoam container
• You tell a ticket or gate agent

Examples

• Vapor cigarettes
• e-cigarettes

Allowed for travel?

• Carry-on bag – Yes*
• Checked bags – No

Notes

Since some electronic cigarettes use lithium-ion batteries, electronic cigarettes aren’t allowed in checked bags.

Electronic cigarettes must be packed in a carry-on bag and aren’t allowed to be used onboard any flight.

We recommend traveling with electronic cigarettes in a designated carry case.

Examples

• Fireworks
• Gunpowder
• Flares/flare guns
• Swingless golf club load strips

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

You can travel with swingless golf clubs without strips.

Examples

• Handguns
• Rifles
• Shotguns
• Ammunition

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes*
• Carry-on bag – No

Notes

You can travel with firearms in checked bags only if they are declared to an agent at check-in.

You can travel with up to 11lbs/5kg small arms ammunition for sporting purposes in your checked bags if it is:

• Securely packed in the original manufacturers' packaging
• Packaged in fiber, wood, metal or other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition

Firearms and ammunition

Examples

• Fuel
• Paints
• Gas torches (including micro-torches and torch lighters)
• Flammable glues/epoxies

Allowed for travel?

No

Examples

• Gas-powered trimmers / edgers
• Chain saws
• Lawn equipment
• Power generators

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes
• Carry-on bag – No

Notes

You can only travel with gas-powered tools and genererators as a checked item if they are:

• New or unused
• In the original packaging (which must be in good condition)
• Not powered by lithium-ion batteries

Standard bag limitations, allowances and fees apply.

Bag limitations

Examples

• Bleach
• Spray starch
• Insecticides
• Drain cleaners
• Solvents
• Aerosols
• Oven or bathroom cleaners

Allowed for travel?

No

Examples

• Hoverboards
• Balance wheels
• Electric small scooters
• Intelligent scooters

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

We don’t allow lithium ion battery-powered personal transportation devices on board or as carry-on or checked bags.

Examples

• Matches
• Lighters or lighter fluid
• Grill lighters

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – No
• Carry-on bag – Yes

Notes

When traveling to / from / through Japan, you can carry one lighter per person.

For all other travel, you can also carry-on:

• 1 book of safety matches
• Common “Bic style” and unsealed “Zippo style” lighters

You cannot travel with:

• Torch/wind-proof lighters
• “Strike-anywhere” matches
• Lighter fluid

Examples

• Recreational Marijuana
• Medical Marijuana

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

Although American is aware of various state laws that allow recreational or medical marijuana possession, the TSA has stated that possession of marijuana, even medical marijuana, is illegal under federal law and that it will refer passengers traveling with marijuana to law enforcement authorities. Accordingly, American does not allow passenger to transport marijuana on our flights. Anyone traveling with or transporting marijuana on American flights does at their own risk.

Examples

Electric wheelchairs with spillable batteries

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

You can travel with mobility devices if:

• Transported according to our guidelines
• Advance notice is given when traveling transatlantic

Mobility and devices

Examples

• Aerosol deodorant or hair spray
• Insect repellent
• Perfume or cologne containing alcohol
• Nail polish or nail polish remover
• Large bottles of acetone such as liquid nails

Allowed for travel?

Yes

Notes

You can travel with personal care items in your carry-on bag if they are:

• Travel-size (3.4 ounce containers or smaller)
• In a clear, plastic, one-quart zip-top bag

You can travel with personal care items in your checked bags if:

• You have no more than 70 ounces in total
• Each container has no more than 16 fluid ounces

Carry-on bags

Examples

• Spray cans
• Butane
• Fuel
• Propane tanks
• CO2 cartridges
• Self-inflating rafts
• Recreational oxygen

Allowed for travel?

No

Examples

• Personal face / full-body pod
• Personal face / full-body tent
• Stadium tent

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes
• Carry-on bag – Yes

Notes

You can travel with these items in your bag, but they may not be used on board or in flight. If space is limited and the item doesn’t fit in the cabin, it may need to be checked.

Examples

• Portable electronic air freshener / purifier
• Ozone generator

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – No
• Carry-on bag – Yes

Notes

Since some devices use lithium ion batteries, you cannot travel with them in your checked bags. You can travel with them in your carry-on, but you’re not allowed to use them on board any flight.

Traveling with lithium batteries Opens another site in a new window that may not meet accessibility guidelines.

Example

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices

Allowed for travel?

No

Notes

Includes recalled and replacement devices.

Examples

• Flameless meal products such as HeaterMeals
• Meals Ready-To-Eat (MREs)

Allowed for travel?

No

Example

Self-inflating life jackets with no more than 2 small CO2 cartridges for inflation purposes

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes
• Carry-on bag – No

Notes

You can only travel with one life jacket in your checked bag, but it may be confiscated by the TSA.

Examples

• Metal scissors
• Screwdrivers
• Wrenches
• Pliers

Allowed for travel?

Yes, with restrictions

Notes

You can travel with such items as carry-on if their measurements are:

• Cutting edge of up to 4-inches : metal scissors
• Up to 7-inches : tools such as screwdrivers, wrenches and pliers

Examples

• Crowbars
• Drills
• Hammers
• Saws

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes
• Carry-on bag – No

Example

Checked or carry-on bags with charging devices

Allowed to travel?

Yes, with restrictions

Notes

You can travel with these bags as a carry-on if the battery is removable. If the bag needs to be checked or valeted you must remove the battery and carry it with you. Bags with non-removable batteries won't be accepted.

Examples

• TASER devices
• Stun guns
• Electro-shock weapons (conducted electrical weapons)

Allowed for travel?

• Checked bags – Yes
• Carry-on bag – No

Notes

You can travel with stun guns / shocking devices in checked bags only if transported in a manner that renders the device inoperable from accidental discharge.

Please remove all batteries from devices in your checked bags and put them in your carry-on in separate plastic bags.

Lithium-ion battery acceptance by Watt-hour (Wh):

• Less than 100 Wh – 4 spares in carry-on bag
• 100 - 160 Wh – 2 spares in carry-on bag
• 160 - 300 Wh – Contact Special Assistance

Special assistance