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New Airport Rules You Need to Know in 2026

  • Writer: Danielle Dybiec
    Danielle Dybiec
  • 41 minutes ago
  • 4 min read
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"Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough." ― Charles Dudley Warner


Dear travelers, wanderers, dreamers, and muses, I have important news everyone needs to know about flying in 2026. You'll want to save and forward this to your friends and family!

 

IMPORTANT AIPORT RULES FOR 2026

 

Ignoring these regulations can mean having important items confiscated, so you'll need to plan ahead. But keep calm, pack light, bring your passport, and maybe check a bag more often, and all will be well!

 

CARRY-ON

 

There's a new "universal standard" carry-on size limit, so it's time to measure your bags. The carry-on limit is 22 x 14 x 9 inches maximum, including all wheels, handles, outer pockets, everything. And there is new AI technology that can scan it at the airport to size it up. No more shoving into overheads.

 

Expect carry-on weight limits to be enforced too. The maximum weight is 17-22 pounds, depending on your airline. Considering a bag weighs around at least seven pounds, this is not a lot. If you're trying to not check a bag, wear your heaviest shoes and clothes, and become a minimalist; travel light. Buy a luggage scale to weigh everything before you leave home.

 

PERSONAL ITEM

 

Your personal item has a universal standard now too: 18 x 14 x 8 inches maximum. The new rule also says it can't bulge out at all from under the seat in front of you. It must fit fully under the seat. If it doesn't, the airline can make it become your carry-on, which means your actual carry on gets checked.

 

Your most valuable items must always be in your personal item to be kept with you. That includes your passport, wallet, medicine, phone, laptop, chargers, and anything else that can't leave your side. If overhead storage space fills up by the time you board, you need to be prepared for your carry-on having to be checked, as your essential items need to stay with you.

 

The TSA may question your pill organizers, so pack the RX bottles in your personal or carry-on item.

 

ELECTRONICS

 

All electronics you take through security must be able to power on or risk being confiscated. Dead electronics are a "security uncertainty."

 

Keep a charged portable battery ready but think about your batteries too. Look up your charger and keep a photo on your phone of its Watt Hours to show if asked. Batteries under 100wh are okay, and that's probably what you have. 100-160wh will need approval. Over 160wh are not allowed. When buying new power banks, look for ones listed as TSA approved.

 

Limit the number of chargeable items to what you absolutely need. Too many is a security red flag.

 

Do you have "smart" luggage? Now it must have fully removable batteries, or the whole bag will be banned. That's not a scenario you want to face. Even if your bag's battery is fully removable, practice how to do it at home because you can be asked to demonstrate it at the airport.

 

LIQUIDS

 

There are more lenient policies coming to some airports on the size of liquids allowed in bags. But this is wildly inconsistent globally. Not all airports have the advanced security technology that allows you to pack larger bottle sizes again. Don't fall into this trap. Keep larger bottles in your checked bag. You can bring unlimited solid toiletries like shampoo and deodorant because they don't count as liquids.

 

REAL ID

 

The TSA announced if you don't have a REAL ID (or other acceptable form of ID) to go through security for a flight within the U.S., they'll start charging a $45 fee beginning February 1, 2026. If you have a domestic flight coming up and can't get your REAL ID in time (or don't want one), check the list of acceptable TSA ID here: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification . (A passport works!) If you're not sure if your ID complies with the new requirements, check with your state's DMV.

 

Without a REAL ID (again, just for domestic flights), there will be an optional ID verification program called TSA Confirm.ID at the TSA checkpoint that may allow you past security if TSA can establish identity with your biographic and/or biometric information. If you choose to use TSA Confirm.ID, you'll be required to pay a non-refundable $45 fee that allows access to TSA checkpoints for 10 days. The TSA Confirm.ID program does not guarantee you'll be given access to the sterile area of an airport.

 

You can pay the $45 fee online before traveling, or you can pay the TSA Confirm.ID option at marked locations by the checkpoint in most airports. If you go this route, expect delays getting through security! Obviously, the easiest route is to get and use a REAL ID or check that acceptable ID list above.

 

If you need help from Santa, these Nine Muses Travel affiliate links with Amazon are great gift ideas!

 

 

By using the right bags, packing smart, and staying excited to travel, nothing will slow us down in 2026!

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Nine Muses Travel designs journeys to inspire artists, arts lovers and the culturally curious.

Danielle Dybiec

Founder & President





 

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