Can You Bring A Flashlight On A Plane?

A flashlight can be a very useful companion to your journey. And we understand people who prefer to take a proven device that they’ve used more many times than to buy a new one to every new country just because airlines prohibit flashlights on a plane.

Fortunately, over time, airlines have gradually relaxed their requirements and now any passenger should carefully study the list of prohibited items before concluding anything. Chances are, you can take your flashlight with you, but it must meet some conditions.

TSA is eager to answer travelers’ questions, but they still haven’t got a universal document to fix the rules on flashlights carrying. Perhaps they’re right in thinking that each case requires individual consideration.

However, here’s what we realized by studying this issue in detail.

Flashlight in carry-on baggage

The essence of the screening procedure at the airport is to ensure that you are not the carrier of weapons or other prohibited items that could harm the rest of the passengers on the plane. That’s why, in carry-on baggage, every item exceeding “sufficient” dimensions causes suspicion.

Flashlights longer than 7 inches can be used as batons. Moreover, some flashlights are used for self-defense, so they include spikes or special built-in knives. Unsurprisingly, every such item will be carefully examined by a control officer.

In other cases, flashlights don’t arouse suspicion, especially if they are made under the name of well-known brands and have their signs. The same goes for flashlight batteries. As a rule, famous brands such as Duracell or Energizer speak for themselves and the airport staff will calmly let you pass further.

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Carriage in the luggage compartment

Any flashlight can be sent there. Even with non-removable lithium batteries. The only limitation is that you should take replacement batteries with you in your carry-on baggage.

The rule isn’t universal for all countries of the world, outside the USA there may be restrictions! We also caution that the tactical flashlight cannot be carried on a plane, even if it’s no longer than 7 inches. That’s just a rule.

So, we’ve considered the most common issues of transporting lanterns. We hope you find this article helpful. However, we highly recommend that you carefully study the rules of the airlines that you use to travel. Any case may be special.