TSA Announces Checked-In Luggage Change

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Aug 23, 2025 at 9:38 AM EDT


The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has updated its rules for checked luggage. According to new rules announced by the TSA on social media, cordless curling irons, flat irons, and hair straighteners that use lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal, or gas/butane fuel are now prohibited from checked luggage, though some of the items may be allowed in carry-on bags. Newsweek has contacted the TSA for comment via email.

Why It Matters

The change directly affects millions of travelers who rely on battery-powered hair styling tools, particularly those who frequently fly for work or vacation.

What To Know

Travelers packing these devices in carry-ons must use a safety cover to prevent accidental activation. Spare gas cartridges are strictly banned from all luggage. Wall-plugged hot tools remain allowed in checked baggage. Popular brands such as Tymo and Conair also offer cordless models that fall under the new restrictions.

The items have been flagged by the Federal Aviation Administration for having potentially hazardous materials, according to a report from TheStreet. "Any cordless curling irons containing gas cartridges (butane) discovered in a checked bag will be removed and turned over to the airline as a HAZMAT item," the TSA said on X.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/tsa-checked-luggage-change-2118193

[bucolic_frolic]

1. This is directed at women.

Women should not travel. They should be in the kitchen and the bedroom. Making babies for Republicans to exploit.

[Scrivener7]

2. No it isn't. Those batteries can ignite and have done so on planes. It's rare, but if they ignite in the hold,

everyone on the plane is dead. If they ignite in the cabin, the crew is trained in how to put those fires out.

It is the same as the existing rule that any phone charging battery packs can't be checked.

It's a good rule.

[LearnedHand]

3. Agree but i think it's been in effect for a while

At least since last year I’ve been asked about Lithium batteries in my checked baggage. Maybe they’ve expanded it recently to include cordless items?

[nilram]

17. A battery is a battery, whether it's in a computer, a charging device, or a hair curler.

[LearnedHand]

19. I was agreeing, not disputing

[Grokenstein]

4. Much like wheelchair batteries. "Smart" luggage and Segways are also heavily restricted.

SmartLuggage: https://www.thetravel.com/high-tech-travel-bags-banned-by-airlines/

Wheelchair Batteries: https://disabilityhealthshop.com/blogs/news/taking-a-power-wheelchair-on-a-flight-wheelchair-battery-guide

Lithium-ion batteries are indeed the problem, as they can overheat even while the item is not in use, and cause fires. And yet it's left up to airlines to decide how to regulate them, while merchants continue to hawk them as "airline approved." Once the money changes hands they don't give a damn, and customers will generally pitch their fits at the airlines for trying to keep them alive.

Butane has been okay until now, but I'll be damned if I understand why.

[SoFlaBro]

12. Who the fuck is riding around on a motherfucking suitcase?

[BumRushDaShow]

14. "Who the fuck is riding around on a motherfucking suitcase?"

Looks to be an Asia & EU thing!

Chinese Inventor Gets Around on Suitcase Scooter (May 30, 2014, 10:14 AM)



(I blame you for making me do a WTH search! )

[SoFlaBro]

20. It actually looks kinda fucking fun.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. Apparently it is popular

[Sneederbunk]

5. Are butane lighters verboten?

[Coolgoober]

6. Wait

Isn't this regulatory? I thought they were against regulations.

[Old Crank]

7. How many fires have there been?

As many as Boeing maintenance issues?

[Scrivener7]

8. Almost two a week. Is there something wrong with this law?

Is putting your lithium batteries in the plane's hold instead of your carry-on a freedom that will be hard for you to give up?
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/lithium-battery-fires-us-flights-new-faa-data/

[Old Crank]

9. I was asking for data.

I hadn't heard about very many.
If they are that dangerous perhaps all devices with those types of batteries should not be in the hold.
Although the clip shows a device smoking in the cabin....
No computers or phones also.

[Scrivener7]

10. Yes. The clip shows a device smoking in the cabin, presumably because

that is where the people with the cameras are. And computers and phones are already not allowed in the hold.

[CozyMystery]

11. I learn something new every day. Thanks!

I don't fly often, but when I do, there is no way I would let my computer out of my sight. I had no idea it wasn't allowed in the hold, though. Same with the phone.

[nilram]

18. To be clear, batteries are prohibited from checked luggage.

They're to be in carry-ons, with the passenger, so it can be seen quickly if there's a problem.

[jgmiller]

13. This should have been done a long time ago

The problem is not that lithium-ion batteries are inherently dangerous if properly made and maintained. A lof of the stuff people buy have poorly made ones to keep the product as cheap as possible. These batteries when they fail can catch fire and don't go out when deprived of oxygen. The chemical process that occurs when they catch fire produces it's own oxygen, so fire suppresion systems in the cargo holds of planes can't put them out.

[FakeNoose]

15. Passengers should be allowed to pack their devices with the batteries removed

They can always buy new batteries when they arrive at their destination. Am I right?
It's not the appliances (or devices) that are dangerous on an airplane, it's the batteries.

[jgmiller]

16. Yes and I bet they allow ones with removable batteries

However most of these devices do not have removable batteries, they are designed to be disposable which is one reason they are made so cheaply. It's generally illegal to dispose of these devices in regular trash too for this very reason and others.

[maxsolomon]

22. "The change directly affects millions of travelers who rely on battery-powered hair styling tools"?

"Rely" makes it sound like a need, not a want, like relying on a wheelchair.