TSA item rule · verified 2026-09-05
Can you bring airpods & wireless earbuds on a plane?
TSA's official answer, checked against tsa.gov on 2026-09-05.
Carry-on bag yes
TSA has no AirPods page — the ruling that covers them is Headphones, which is a yes for carry-on. Earbuds and their charging case can stay in your bag, or in your ears, through the checkpoint.
Checked bag yes
TSA's headphones ruling is a yes for checked bags too. Most people keep earbuds in the cabin anyway, which is where you want them for the flight.
There is no AirPods-specific TSA ruling, so this is the category page that covers them. TSA's headphones entry adds only that regulation questions go to the FAA website.
Liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule. The final decision always rests with the TSA officer at the checkpoint.
Source: TSA — What Can I Bring? · checked 2026-09-05
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Common questions
Can you bring airpods & wireless earbuds in a carry-on?
TSA has no AirPods page — the ruling that covers them is Headphones, which is a yes for carry-on. Earbuds and their charging case can stay in your bag, or in your ears, through the checkpoint.
Can you bring airpods & wireless earbuds in checked baggage?
TSA's headphones ruling is a yes for checked bags too. Most people keep earbuds in the cabin anyway, which is where you want them for the flight.