The documents and items you must have to board a domestic flight

To board a domestic flight in the United States, you need a valid government-issued photo ID and a boarding pass. That is the legal minimum. Your ID must match the name on your ticket exactly — middle initials, hyphens, and spelling all count. The TSA (Transportation Security Administration) accepts a driver's license, passport, passport card, military ID, or state ID card. If your ID is expired, you cannot use it; the expiration date must not have passed.

Your boarding pass comes from the airline when you check in, either online, at a kiosk, or at the ticket counter. Most airlines let you check in 24 hours before departure. You can show your boarding pass on your phone or print it on paper — either works. Without both your ID and boarding pass, the TSA will not let you through security, and you will not reach your gate.

Key Takeaways

  • You must show a valid government-issued photo ID that matches your ticket name exactly, and it cannot be expired.
  • Your boarding pass is required at security and at the gate; get it online, at a kiosk, or at the ticket counter within 24 hours of your flight.
  • Liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on bag are limited to 3.4 ounces per container and must fit in a single quart-sized clear bag.
  • Leave prohibited items at home: firearms, explosives, sharp objects, and certain tools are not allowed in either carry-on or checked bags.
  • Arrive at the airport at least two hours before a domestic flight to allow time for parking, check-in, security, and walking to your gate.

What to pack in your carry-on bag

Your carry-on bag travels with you into the cabin. The TSA limits liquids, gels, and aerosols — including shampoo, toothpaste, peanut butter, yogurt, and sunscreen — to 3.4 ounces per container. All containers must fit inside one clear quart-sized plastic bag. You can bring one quart bag per person. Solid foods like sandwiches, fruit, and snacks are allowed; liquids and spreads are not.

Electronics larger than a laptop (such as a full-sized camera or gaming console) must be removed from your bag and screened separately at security. Phones, tablets, and laptops stay in your bag or come out depending on the security officer's instruction. Chargers and cables are fine. Medications in pill or powder form are allowed; bring them in their original labeled containers if possible.

Avoid packing sharp objects, tools, or anything that could be used as a weapon in your carry-on. Scissors, box cutters, pocket knives, and tools longer than 7 inches are prohibited. These items are allowed in checked baggage if you need to transport them.

What to pack in checked baggage

Checked bags go in the cargo hold and do not travel with you. You can pack most items here that are forbidden in carry-on bags — tools, sharp objects, and larger quantities of liquids. However, some items are prohibited in checked bags entirely: firearms (which require a separate declaration process), explosives, and certain hazardous materials. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, contact your airline before you arrive at the airport.

Checked bags have weight and size limits that vary by airline. Most domestic airlines allow one free checked bag up to 50 pounds and 62 inches (length plus width plus height). A second bag usually costs $35 to $50. Oversized or overweight bags incur additional fees. Weigh your bag at home before you go to the airport to avoid surprises at check-in.

What happens at security screening

At the security checkpoint, you will remove your shoes, belt, and jacket, and place them in a bin along with your carry-on bag. Your quart bag of liquids comes out separately. Electronics larger than a phone come out. Walk through the metal detector or body scanner as directed. TSA officers may pat you down or swab your hands if the scanner flags something.

The entire process typically takes 10 to 20 minutes during off-peak hours, but can take 45 minutes or longer during busy travel times (early morning, evening, holidays, and weekends). This is why arriving two hours early for a domestic flight gives you a buffer. If you are running late, tell a TSA officer — they cannot move you to the front of the line, but they can direct you to the fastest available lane.

Items you cannot bring on any flight

The TSA maintains a list of prohibited items that are not allowed in carry-on or checked bags. Firearms and ammunition require a separate declaration process and must be unloaded and locked in a hard case in checked baggage only — never in carry-on. Explosives, flares, and fireworks are completely prohibited. Lighters are allowed only in checked baggage (one per person), and only the common Bic-style lighter, not torch lighters.

Sporting equipment like baseball bats, hockey sticks, and ski poles are allowed in checked bags but not carry-on. Martial arts weapons, including nunchucks and throwing stars, are prohibited entirely. Realistic toy guns are prohibited in carry-on bags and may be prohibited in checked bags depending on how they look. If you have a replica or toy firearm, pack it in checked baggage and inform the airline when you check in.

What to do if your ID is expired or missing

If your ID is expired, the TSA will not accept it. You can still fly, but you will go through additional screening called Secondary Verification. An officer will ask you security questions based on your personal history — previous addresses, financial accounts, or family members. This process takes 10 to 15 minutes and is not a may provide of passage, though most people pass. Arrive extra early if you are using this route.

If you have no ID at all, Secondary Verification is your only option. Bring any documents that help prove your identity: a birth certificate, Social Security card, credit card, or bank statement with your name and address. The officer will use these to verify who you are. Again, this is not may provide, and you should arrive at least three hours early.

What to bring for specific situations

If you are traveling with a child under 18, they do not need their own ID for domestic flights — your ID covers both of you. However, the child's name must match the name on the ticket. If you are traveling with an infant, bring the birth certificate to prove the child's age, though airlines rarely ask.

If you are traveling with a service animal, bring documentation from a licensed healthcare provider stating that the animal is trained to perform a task for you. Emotional support animals and pets are not the same as service animals and must be transported in a carrier in the cargo hold (or in a pet carrier under the seat if the airline allows it) — they do not travel free in the cabin. Bring vaccination records if your airline requires them.

If you are traveling with medication, keep it in its original labeled container and pack it in your carry-on bag so you have access during the flight. Syringes and needles are allowed if they are with medication; bring the medication bottle to show TSA if asked. Frozen gel packs for insulin or other medications are allowed in carry-on bags even though they are technically a liquid or gel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring a vape or e-cigarette on a plane?

Vaping devices are allowed in carry-on bags only, not in checked baggage, because the batteries pose a fire risk in cargo. You cannot use the device during the flight. Vape liquid counts as a liquid and must follow the 3.4-ounce rule in your quart bag.

What if I forgot my ID at home and I am already at the airport?

Tell the TSA officer at security that you have no ID. You will go through Secondary Verification, which takes 10 to 15 minutes. Bring any documents with your name on them — a credit card, bank statement, or insurance card. You may still be allowed to fly, but there is no may provide. Call your airline when ready to let them know you are delayed at security.

Are printed boarding passes required, or can I use my phone?

Your phone is fine. You can show your boarding pass on your phone's screen at security and at the gate. Make sure your phone is charged or bring a charger. If your phone dies, you can print a boarding pass at an airline kiosk or ticket counter before you reach security.

How much does it cost to bring an extra checked bag?

Most airlines charge $35 to $50 for a second checked bag on domestic flights. A third bag costs more. Check your airline's website or ticket confirmation to see what you paid for — some tickets include free checked bags, and some do not. Baggage fees vary by airline and route.

Can I bring a full-size suitcase as a carry-on?

It depends on the airline. Most airlines allow carry-on bags up to 22 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches deep. A full-size checked suitcase (28 inches) will not fit. Measure your bag before you go to the airport, or check your airline's website. If your bag is too large, you will have to check it at the gate, and you may be charged a fee.