Can You Bring a Hair Straightener on a Plane? 10 Key Travel Questions
10 min read
As travel season is coming, you may be wondering: can you bring a hair straightener on a plane? Learn the answer in this article.
Summer is around the corner, and this means only one thing: travel! Nothing gets more exciting than planning your summer trip, but with this come a few important questions when it comes to maintaining your beauty and hair styling routine outside of home.
For example, can you bring a hair straightener on a plane? Considering that the FAA's Air Traffic Organization (ATO) handles more than 45,000 flights daily, it is no surprise that it is one of the most commonly asked questions about allowed and prohibited items in the plane.
In this article, we will answer this question and we will deep dive into some of the most popular US airlines and their regulations. So, let’s jump right into it:
1. Can you bring a hair straightener on a plane?
Yes, you can bring a hair straightener on a plane in a carry on bag as well as a checked bag. According to the TSA regulations, electric curling irons and hair straighteners are not restricted unless they come with batteries or gas or fuel cartridges.
While these are the general requirements, it is important to check the specific regulations of the airline that you are flying with, as they may vary. As a rule of thumb, the hair straightener should be packed safely in a way that doesn’t pose any safety risk.
For example, if you’ve used your device before flying, make sure that you have given it enough time to cool down before packing it. You can also pack it in a heat-resistant pouch.
2. Do you have to take hair straighteners out at security?
In most cases, you won’t be required to take out your flat iron or curling wand out of the carry-on bag for security screening. Heat styling tools are generally considered personal care items, similar to other small electronic devices such as electric razors.
Keep in mind that these guidelines may vary depending on the airport and the security regulations that it has in place.
3. Can you bring a hair straightener on these airplanes?
Disclaimer: regulations change constantly, so use these answers as general guidelines but not as a 100% guarantee. To ensure that you can travel with your flat iron or curling wand in carry-on or checked in luggage, it’s better to contact the airline directly.
Can you travel with a hair straightener on Delta Airlines?
Yes, hair straighteners are allowed on planes like Delta Airlines. The company doesn’t consider electric flat irons or hair dryers to be dangerous items, and they are allowed in both carry-on as well as checked luggage as per TSA regulations.
However, these restrictions may change, so it’s always good to double-check at least 10 days before flying.
Can you travel with a hair straightener on American Airlines?
Yes, you can bring a hair straightener on a plane like American Airlines. The US-based airline doesn’t consider thermal hair styling tools as dangerous items, and they are allowed in carry-on and checked luggage as long as they are packed properly.
Can you travel with a hair straightener on Southwest Airlines?
Yes, you can travel with a hair straightener on Southwest Airlines. Hair straighteners are generally allowed in both carry-on and checked baggage on Southwest Airlines flights. However, keep in mind that the heat styling tools should be securely packed and do not exceed the airline’s size and weight restrictions for carry-on items.
It's always a good idea to review the latest guidelines and policies of Southwest Airlines or contact their customer service directly to confirm any specific regulations or restrictions that may apply to your particular flight.
Can you travel with a hair straightener on Spirit Airlines?
Yes, you can bring a hair straightener on the plane if you are traveling with Spirit Airlines. The airline follows the general TSA guidelines, which means that electric curling irons and hair straighteners with cord are not restricted. Restrictions apply to heat styling tools with batteries or gas/fuel cartridges.
Can you travel with a hair straightener on United Airlines?
Yes, you can bring a hair straightener on the plane if you are traveling with United Airlines. Heat styling tools are not considered dangerous or classified as hazardous materials, so they are allowed as long as they are packaged properly.
Can you travel with a hair straightener on Ryanair?
Yes, you can travel with a hair straightener if you are flying with Ryanair, both as carry-on as well as checked luggage. The Ireland-based airline confirmed this via Twitter, ensuring travelers that heat styling tools are not considered dangerous items.
4. How should I pack my hair straightener for a plane?
If you want to bring your hair straightener on a plane, keep in mind that it should be packed properly in a way that it doesn’t compromise the safety of personnel and passengers. Before packing it, make sure that it’s completely cool to prevent damage or heat-related accidents. Store it in a heat-resistant case or pouch for extra protection.
High-quality flat irons like the award-winning NuMe Megastar Flat Iron come with a stylish and beautiful heat-resistant case to protect your tool from damage, as well as to prevent it from damaging other items in your luggage.
Be careful not to wrap the cord around your hair straightener when storing the item. Ideally, fold the cord loosely and tie it with a rubber band. For further protection during your airplane travel, you can wrap it in a soft cloth or a towel to help cushion the device.
If you don’t have a case or a pouch to store your hair straightener, aim for storing it separately from other items in your luggage, for example in a separate compartment or bag within the luggage. This will prevent it from experiencing any scratches or accidental damage.
5. Will my hair straightener work internationally?
If you want to bring a hair straightener on a plane, another important consideration you will need to keep in mind is whether you will actually be able to use it in the country where you are traveling to.
Keep in mind that if you are traveling internationally, your hair straightener may not work or may need an adapter to fit the local electric outlets. Flat irons are typically designed to work within a specific voltage range - most commonly 110-120 for the USA or 220-240 volts for Europe.
Some heat styling tools are already designed with dual voltage in mind, such as the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron, meaning it can operate at both 110-120 volts and 220-240 volts. This makes it extremely convenient for international travel as you won’t have to worry about meeting the voltage standards.
The NuMe Megastar Flat Iron also comes with a complimentary adapter - type I for Australia, type C for Europe and type G for the UK so you can achieve beautiful and effortless heat styling everywhere you go.
6. Can I bring a hair straightener to Europe?
Yes, you can bring a hair straightener with you on a flight to Europe. Most airlines don’t consider heat styling tools to be dangerous items, so you can take it with you in your carry-on luggage or your checked luggage.
However, make sure that your hair straightener can operate for the European voltage range of 220-240, and has the right adapter (type C). Otherwise, it may not be able to work.
7. Are there any restrictions on the size or wattage of the hair straightener?
When traveling, another question that you may have if you want to bring a hair straightener on a plane is whether there are any size or wattage restrictions.
Generally, there are no specific size or wattage restrictions for hair straighteners when traveling on a plane. However, it's important to comply with the airline's overall size and weight restrictions for carry-on and checked baggage, which will vary by company.
8. Can I use my hair straightener during the flight?
No, you can’t use your hair straightener during the flight for security reasons. The use of electrical appliances is strictly prohibited in both domestic and international flights as it can pose a risk for the safety of staff and passengers.
Electrical appliances such as flat irons and curling wands can reach high temperatures of up to 450°F (230 °C), posing a risk of fire hazards or interference with the aircraft’s electrical systems.
So, while you can bring your hair straightener on a plane, you will need to keep it stored and protected in your luggage. You can use it safely once you have reached your final destination, and you are outside of the aircraft.
9. Can I bring a travel-sized or mini hair straightener on the plane?
Yes, as much as you can bring a regular hair straightener on the plane, you can also bring a travel-sized or a mini hair straightener on your domestic or international flight. Travel-sized or mini hair straighteners are allowed in both carry-on and checked luggage in most airlines.
You should follow the same guidelines and safety protocols as you would follow for standard-sized hair straighteners. Pack them tightly and securely to avoid damage, and don’t use them during your flight to eliminate safety hazards.
Always check the specific guidelines of the airline you're flying with to ensure compliance with their regulations.
10. Can I bring additional styling products like hairspray or heat protectant in my carry-on bag?
Yes, you can bring additional styling products like a finishing hairspray or a heat protectant in your carry-on bag. However, keep in mind that liquid restrictions still apply - they should be in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a clear, quart-sized plastic bag.
When traveling with liquids, always make sure to comply with the liquid restrictions imposed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), or the specific regulations of the country or airport that you are departing from.
Conclusion
So, can you bring a hair straightener on a plane? The answer is yes! As we just saw, most airlines around the world don’t consider electrical appliances as a safety hazard, which means that you can travel safely with them in your carry-on or checked luggage.
However, do keep in mind that you should store them in a way that doesn’t pose a risk for other people in the plane, and ensure that they are turned off at all times during the flight as using them during the flight can be dangerous.
If you need a high-quality hair straightener of a curling iron that you can easily use internationally, check our NuMe selection of premium tools made with tourmaline plates for effortless heat styling without damage.
Hopefully, we managed to answer all of your questions - and happy traveling!
