YES — Allowed in Carry-on Bags on United Airlines
AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and all wireless earbuds are fully allowed in carry-on bags. The charging case contains a small lithium-ion battery which is permitted in cabin baggage.
Can you bring airpods on United Airlines?
Quick Answer
Yes — AirPods is allowed in carry-on bags on United Airlines flights. AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and all wireless earbuds are fully allowed in carry-on bags. The charging case contains a small lithium-ion battery which is permitted in cabin baggage.
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What is airpods?
Yes — AirPods are allowed in carry-on bags by TSA. The charging case contains a small lithium-ion battery which is permitted in cabin baggage.
Allowed In Cabin
AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max and all wireless earbuds are fully allowed in carry-on bags. The charging case contains a small lithium-ion battery which is permitted in cabin baggage.
Restricted In Hold
AirPods themselves are allowed in checked bags, but the charging case contains a lithium-ion battery. Lithium battery devices are best kept in carry-on baggage per FAA guidance to allow crew access in case of fire.
Airline & country baggage checker
Pick your airline or destination to see the limits that apply to AirPods.
FAA & United Airlines Regulation for Battery Devices
49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18) — FAA & Airline Policy
Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) HazMat safety regulations (49 CFR § 175.10(a)(18)) and IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, lithium-ion batteries powering airpods are capped at 100 Watt-hours (Wh) per battery for standard carry-on. Spare batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh require explicit airline approval. Uninstalled lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked cargo holds because cargo fires involving lithium chemistries cannot be easily extinguished in flight.
Security Checkpoint Screening Procedure
During security screening for airpods, any device larger than a standard smartphone (such as laptops, tablets, or large camera equipment) must be removed from your carry-on luggage and placed in a dedicated screening bin with nothing underneath or on top. Power banks, spare lithium-ion batteries, and rechargeable devices must remain in your carry-on luggage and are strictly forbidden in checked baggage due to FAA cargo fire safety protocols. Turn off high-capacity battery units to prevent accidental activation during flight.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide for United Airlines Passengers
Verify battery specifications for airpods. Spare lithium-ion batteries and external power banks must stay in carry-on luggage — they are prohibited in checked bags.
Ensure the airpods power switch or heating element is fully off and safety-locked before placing it in your bag.
Protect exposed terminals on spare batteries by covering contacts with tape or storing them in individual plastic pouches.
Be prepared to remove large electronics (larger than a mobile phone) from your bag to lay them flat in a TSA screening tray.
Store delicate screens and components inside a padded sleeve to protect them from impact during boarding and overhead-bin loading.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified travel information
This document has been reviewed and verified by our travel reference editors. All statuses, notes and guidelines are checked against live security feeds from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection).