Guide

Yes—cloth masks are allowed on planes unless an airline or country requires medical masks; carry a spare surgical or N95 for those routes. Mask rules on flights changed a lot. In the United States, the transportation mask order ended in April 2022, so face coverings are optional on domestic trips. Many carriers around the world […]

Yes—clothes are allowed in hand luggage; keep them clean and dry, mind the 3‑1‑1 liquids rule for toiletries, and leave sharp tailoring tools in checked bags. If you’re packing for a short flight, you can carry shirts, trousers, dresses, underwear, socks, and outerwear in your hand luggage without trouble. Security checks care more about liquids,

Yes—coat hangers are allowed in hand luggage. Metal, plastic, or wood are fine; bundle the hooks and follow your airline’s cabin size rules. Travel Policy Editorial Team • Updated September 4, 2025 Taking Coat Hangers In Hand Luggage: Quick Facts Short answer: you can bring coat hangers in your carry‑on and in checked bags. Screeners

Yes—blunt‑tipped collapsible poles can go in U.S. carry‑on; sharp tips are out, and airlines or screeners may still say no. Rules for trekking poles changed in the U.S. Recently, TSA’s item list shows hiking poles with blunt tips are allowed in carry‑on, while sharp tips are not. That sounds simple, yet trips often cross borders

Yes, standard combs are fine in hand luggage; razor combs with blades and disguised “comb knives” are not. If you’re packing for a flight and wondering about that trusty comb, here’s the short take: a regular plastic or metal comb belongs in your cabin bag without drama. Security cares about edges, blades, and sharp points,

Yes—compression and vacuum bags are allowed in carry‑on and checked bags, but TSA may open them and battery pumps follow lithium rules. Compression bags help shrink clothes, tame bulk, and keep outfits neat. The good news: they fly. You can place them in a cabin bag or in checked luggage. Screening officers may still ask

No—contact lenses aren’t liquids; lens solution and eye drops count as liquids and must follow liquids rules or be declared. Flying with contacts shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. Security rules look strict, lines move fast, and one mix‑up can cost you a bottle of solution at the checkpoint. This guide clears the fog so

Yes. Cosmetics are allowed in cabin bags, but liquids and gels must be 3.4 oz/100 ml per item in one quart bag; aerosols and big powders face checks. This guide spells out exactly what you can bring, how each cosmetic category is treated at security, and the packing moves that make checkpoints painless. You’ll also

No—covers aren’t required by TSA or most airlines, but you must secure loose straps; a simple duffel, wrap, or strap keeps backpacks check‑in ready. Backpacking packs fly just fine as checked bags. The real trick is keeping straps, hip belts, and buckles from snagging on conveyors or carts. Airlines care about safe handling, not what

Yes — CPAP machines are assistive medical devices and don’t count toward your carry‑on limit when packed as a separate medical bag. Flying with sleep apnea therapy gear feels easier when you know the rules. A CPAP is an assistive device in air travel, which gives you specific rights at the airport and on the