2025 Carry-On Rules: Complete Guide to New Airport Security
Introduction: The New Travel Landscape
- Airport security has fundamentally changed for 2025
- New technology includes: hospital-grade CT scanners, AI density analysis, biometric gates
- Old packing tricks are obsolete
- Passengers face delays, confiscated items, and denied boarding over new violations
- 13 critical rule changes covered in this guide
1. The 3-1-1 Liquids Rule is Dead (Sort Of)
The Problem: Chaotic Global Rollout
- Airports deploying CT scanners (same tech as hospital MRIs)
- Scanners provide 3D, 360-degree bag models
- Liquid limits becoming unnecessary with new tech
- But rollout is inconsistent worldwide
Where Rules Have Changed
Fully Upgraded Airports:
- Rome Fiumicino, Milan, Amsterdam Schiphol
- Can bring up to 2 liters of liquid
- Laptops and liquids stay in bag
Partially Upgraded:
- Prague: Terminal 2 has new rules, Terminal 1 still enforces 100ml limit
Rolled Back:
- UK: Mid-2024 government forced all airports back to 100ml rule due to disorganized rollout
United States:
- Major airports (LAX, O'Hare, JFK) have CT scanners at many checkpoints
- Can keep 3-1-1 bag and laptop inside carry-on
- BUT 3.4 oz/100ml limit still enforced
The Return Trip Trap
- Example: Fly from Rome with wine bottle (allowed), return from Manchester (confiscated)
Pro Tip: Pretend it's still 2019 and pack all liquids at 100ml/3.4oz until universal rollout completes
2. Your Face is Now Your Passport
Biometric Technology Rollout
- Facial recognition for: check-in, bag drop, security, boarding
- Most important travel document is now your face
How to Prepare: Create Your "Digital Travel Twin"
- Add driver's license or state ID to digital wallet (Apple, Google, Samsung)
- Enables TSA digital ID lanes
- Still must carry physical, compliant ID as backup
Geographic Differences
United States:
- Biometrics optional
- System convenient but not universal
Europe:
- Entry/Exit System (EES) now mandatory for all non-EU visitors
- Records fingerprints and facial scans
- Required for 29-country Schengen area
- No opting out
3. Real ID Deadline (May 7th)
For U.S. Travelers
- Date was not a suggestion
- Thousands turned away summer 2024
- Old driver's licenses useless for air travel as of May 7th
What You Need
- Real ID compliant license (with star)
- OR passport
- OR accepted ID like Global Entry card
- Old licenses = denied boarding
4. Power Bank Rules Got Stricter
New Storage Requirements
- Must be in personal item under seat (NOT overhead bin)
- Many Asian and Middle Eastern airlines enforce strictly (Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates)
- Banned from use or charging during flight
Why the Change
- FAA reported spike in lithium battery incidents
- Vapes and power banks main culprits
- Under-seat location allows instant emergency response
Power Limits
- Under 100 watt-hours: Fine (can bring multiple)
- 100-160 watt-hours: Max 2, airline approval required
- Over 160 watt-hours: Completely banned
Calculation Formula
If only milliamp-hour (mAh) shown:
- (mAh × Voltage) ÷ 1,000 = Watt-hours
- Most power banks are 3.7V
- Example: 20,000 mAh bank = 74 watt-hours (approved)
Pro Tip: Store under seat regardless of airline—it's becoming universal best practice
5. Deconstruct Your Gadgets Mentally
Think in Components, Not Whole Items
Portable Blender:
- Motor base + plastic cup = Carry-on ✓
- Blade assembly = Weapon → Must check ✗
Massage Gun:
- Removable battery = Battery in carry-on, gun can be checked
- Built-in battery = Entire device must be in carry-on
Drones:
- Body = Carry-on
- Propellers = Sharp objects → Better checked
- Batteries = Must be in carry-on
Electric Shavers:
- Usually fine
- Removable blade cartridge may require checking
Pre-Packing Checklist
- Where's the power source?
- Are there sharp parts?
- Is there a liquid component?
- Pack each part according to its own rule
6. Stop Packing for Density—Pack for AI Clarity
The Problem
- Tightly packed bags appear as undefined "blob" to AI scanners
- Triggers automatic manual bag search
- AI can't distinguish between harmless items and threats
The Solution: Pack in Layers
Layer 1 (Bottom):
- Shoes and bulky items
Layer 2 (Middle):
- Clothes, rolled or folded
Layer 3 (Top):
- Electronics and liquids bag
Why Packing Cubes Help
- Create clean, distinct shapes
- Allow AI to analyze and clear bag in seconds
- Prevents time-consuming manual searches
7. AI-Powered Gate Enforcement
Japan Airlines Testing World-First System
- Cameras at gate scan size and number of bags
- Calculates if overhead bin space will accommodate all bags
- Alerts gate agents to force bag checking
What This Means
Old tricks are dead:
- Squishy, dark-colored bags to look smaller
- Hiding smaller bag behind bigger one
- AI calculates actual cubic volume in real-time
The Only Solution: Actually follow your airline's size rules
8. The Spreadable Food Trap
What Counts as "Liquid"
- Peanut butter
- Hummus
- Creamy cheeses (brie, camembert, cream cheese)
- Cheesecake in containers
- Anything with creamy, pasty, or spreadable texture
What's Allowed
- Hard cheeses
- Sandwiches
- Solid food
Rule: If spreadable → under 3.4 oz + in 1-quart liquids bag
9. The Frozen Loophole (High-Risk Strategy)
Official TSA Exception
- Liquids, gels, aerosols over 100ml allowed if completely frozen solid
What This Allows
- Frozen gel ice packs
- Frozen soups
- Frozen water bottles
- Frozen breast milk (especially useful for parents)
Why It's High-Risk
- If even slightly melted/slushy → defaults to 3-1-1 rule
- Any liquid at bottom = confiscation
- Final call up to individual TSA officer
Requirements for Success
- High-quality cooler or insulated bag
- 100% confidence item stays rock-solid until X-ray
10. Souvenir Security Blacklist
Commonly Confiscated Items
Snow Globes:
- Unless tennis ball-sized or smaller
- Contains over 3.4 oz liquid → banned
High-Proof Alcohol:
- Over 140-proof (70% alcohol) = flammable material
- Completely banned from carry-on AND checked bags
- Includes absinthe, high-proof rum
Toy Weapons:
- Any realistic replica strictly forbidden
- Toy guns, replica swords, bullet-shaped whiskey stones
Baseball Bats:
- Even souvenir-sized must be checked
11. Smart Luggage Battery Rules
The Problem
- Airlines ban smart luggage with non-removable batteries
- Applies to both cabin and cargo hold
- Fire risk in checked bags catastrophic
What's Required
- Battery must be removable by passenger
- Carry battery in cabin
- Can check empty bag
If Battery Non-Removable
- Bag banned from flying on almost every major airline
- Expensive smart bag becomes expensive storage box
12. Pet Travel: New Strict Rules
What Changed
- Emotional support animal loophole effectively ended
- Small pets now treated as standard pets
New Requirements
Fees:
- $100-$200 each way (no longer free)
Carrier Requirements:
- Airline-approved carrier
- Must fit completely under seat
- Required for entire flight duration
Reservations:
- Mandatory advance booking
- Limited number of pets per flight
- Can't just show up
Documentation:
- Rules vary by airline
- Check specific airline pet policy before booking
- Different carrier sizes, breed restrictions, health documents
13. International Medication Rules (MOST DANGEROUS)
Critical Warning
Legal U.S. medication can be illegal controlled substance in other countries
- Risk: Confiscation, fines, detention, arrest
Country-Specific Examples
Japan:
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) strictly banned
- Common in OTC allergy and sinus medications
United Arab Emirates:
- Codeine-containing painkillers are illegal narcotics
Singapore:
- Anti-anxiety medications require special license
- Strong sleeping pills require special license
Many Countries:
- Severe restrictions on ADHD medications (Adderall, Ritalin)
Mandatory Steps Before International Travel
1. Check Embassy Websites
- Every country visiting (including layovers)
- Look up restricted medication rules
2. Get Doctor's Letter
- Printed and signed
- Describes condition
- Lists prescriptions by generic names (not just brand names)
3. Original Bottles Only
- Non-negotiable
- Original pharmacy-labeled containers
- Your name must be on them
- Never use daily pill organizers
Stakes: Your health and freedom at risk
Conclusion: The New Travel Mindset
Key Takeaways
- Flying in 2025 isn't about one set of rules
- Must understand new technology
- Prepare for specific rules of your exact route
- Minutes of research = stress-free travel
- Prevents delays, lost property, denied boarding
Final Advice
- Research before leaving home
- Understand your specific route requirements
- Stay ahead of enforcement curve