Can You Bring Selfie Sticks on Planes?

Theoretically, it doesn’t matter what material a selfie stick is made of when traveling within the United States. Selfie sticks are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage without any restrictions. But, in rare cases, selfies made out of heavier materials like steel might be considered a bludgeoning weapon and prevented from going through airport security. The airport security agents always have the final decision. So it’s advised to pack heavier, larger selfie sticks in checked luggage.

Selfie sticks with lithium batteries are allowed in planes in the United States with certain restrictions. The lithium battery in your selfie stick must be under 100 watt-hours (Wh) if it’s rechargeable. If it isn’t rechargeable, then it’s limited to 2 grams of lithium per battery.

Selfie sticks themselves don’t have any restrictions besides needing to fit in your carry-on or personal item when traveling inside the cabin. Heavy selfie sticks, however, might need additional inspection and might not be allowed through security if they are considered a potential weapon.

Selfie stick tripods are allowed in hand and cargo baggage on United States aircraft. However, selfie sticks with tripods that have a lithium battery are subject to TSA’s batteries standards. For rechargeable selfie sticks the battery must be below 100 watt-hours (Wh), while non-rechargeable batteries must be under 2 grams of lithium. As for size restrictions, the selfie stick tripod must fit in your carry-on luggage.

Read Next: Can I Bring Tripods and Monopods on Planes?

Generally, you’re allowed to bring selfie sticks with built-in gimbal stabilizers on planes in the United States. TSA doesn’t specify any restrictions on selfie sticks. However, selfie sticks with built-in gimbal stabilizers are subject to battery and carry-on luggage size restrictions.

When traveling inside the cabin, these selfie sticks should meet the airline’s size requirements for hand baggage. Additionally, gimbals that are rechargeable, must have lithium batteries below 100 watt-hours (Wh). Although selfie sticks with built-in gimbal stabilizers are usually allowed on planes in the United States, keep in mind they are made out of a heavier material than normal selfie sticks and therefore might be considered a weapon by security agents at the airport. To ease the inspection process, make sure to use a [amazon link=”B09GFS6DDM” title=”gimbal travel case”] that is easy to open, but sturdy enough to keep your equipment safe.

Overall, there isn’t a TSA rule that prohibits passengers from using selfie sticks on planes in the United States. However, the policy changes according to different airlines. Most airlines allow their use as long as they don’t become a nuisance to other passengers. Other airlines prohibit using selfie sticks onboard completely to prevent any inconveniences to traveling passengers. Plus, some airlines also prohibit photography and video inside their aircraft. Travelers should contact their carrier and learn about their exact policy regarding photography and selfie sticks. So before you use your selfie stick, be polite and ask the flight attendant if it won’t cause any problems.

Generally, it’s best to pack selfie sticks in hand luggage when traveling in the United States even though they’re approved by TSA and are allowed both in hand and cargo baggage. However, to prevent your selfie stick from getting lost or breaking during your trip, it is best to keep it in your carry-on or personal item if you’re traveling domestically within the United States.

But, if you’re traveling internationally with layovers, packing your selfie stick in your checked baggage is your best option, as some countries prohibit selfie sticks in hand baggage.

Selfie sticks don’t have additional size requirements in the United States besides the standards for baggage established by each airline. Passengers traveling with selfie sticks in their hand baggage should make sure they completely fit inside and aren’t poking out in any way. The usual carry-on size standards are around 21 x 14 x 8 inches / 53 x 35 x 20 centimeters, so your selfie stick shouldn’t be over that when it’s collapsed.

Yet, if your selfie stick is made out of a heavy material like steel, it is generally best to pack it in checked baggage to avoid any problems when going through security. In checked luggage, the only restriction is 62 linear inches, which means the total sum of height, width, and depth of your checked bag, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

In general, you don’t need to take out selfie sticks when going through airport security in the United States, unless it has a battery. TSA states that passengers need to take out only liquids and portable electronics larger than a phone from their bag when they are going through the screening process. If your selfie stick catches the security agent’s attention, then they might require a physical inspection. In that case, make sure your selfie stick is accessible. Selfie sticks with integrated lithium batteries or heavy selfie sticks made out of sturdy metals are more likely to be subject to additional inspection.