TSA's Guidelines For Bringing A Blanket On A Plane

If you're someone who gets chilly on flights (and you know to avoid closing the plane's air vent even if you're cold), you may be wondering if you can bring your own blanket on board instead of relying on the thin (and sometimes questionably clean) ones airlines provide upon request. The good news is, according to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA), passengers can bring blankets through security in both carry-on and checked luggage. That's good news for anyone wanting to bring their own cozy throw on board for maximum comfort.

But, keep in mind that — as always — TSA agents have the final say on what makes it through security. If you're bringing a bulky blanket or using it to pad other items in your carry-on, they might ask you to remove it for additional checks. To make things go as smoothly as possible, keep your blanket neatly folded and easily accessible in case you need to put it in a separate bin during screening.

Blankets are a great way to make sleeping on a flight more comfortable, and they can be essential to surviving a long-haul flight. You may even want to invest in one specifically for travel, like this EverSnug travel blanket and pillow, which folds into a compact pouch for convenience.

Once you get your blanket through TSA, you may think you're good to go. However, airlines each have their own baggage policies, so your carrier may or may not count your blanket as a personal item. That could present issues if you have other personal items with you, as the airline may make you check one of them at the gate.

The best bet is to check with your airline ahead of traveling to find out, especially if you're traveling with a budget airline that has strict rules on bag limits. Most major airlines (like Delta, American, and United) will usually allow passengers to bring a blanket in addition to their personal item and carry-on bag. This can depend on size, though — for example, Delta and United consider a jacket a "free item" that doesn't count as your personal item, so if the blanket is not too large, they'll likely consider it along those lines. Just be sure your blanket is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you — leave those king-sized quilts at home to be on the safe side.

A smart way to avoid any baggage drama is to drape your blanket over your shoulders like a shawl while boarding. Some travelers also stuff their blankets inside their carry-on suitcase just to avoid any hassle.