If you’re flying, you probably know that there are limitations on the size and number of personal items you can bring with you on the airplane. You can’t bring a suitcase as your carry-on item, for example. But what about a blanket? Does it count as a personal item?
Honestly, when it comes to blankets, I’d rather bring my own versus dealing with whatever cover might have been left in the plane after the last customer. Yes, I am talking about unknown bacteria and germs. The extra effort of asking does a blanket count as a personal item is worth it to me to find out.
Blanket: Personal Item, Carry-On or What?
It depends. In general, airlines have strict rules about what passengers are allowed to bring onboard their aircraft as their personal item. Officially, you will find that the dimensions of your personal item should not exceed 16 x 14 x 9 inches (40 x 35 x 23 cm).
When we say “personal item,” airline employees usually mean small objects like wallets and handbags that can be easily carried by hand. These restrictions exist because larger items like book bags or duffel bags increase the risk of theft and make it difficult for passengers to move through the cabin in an emergency evacuation situation.
Depending on which airline you choose to fly, different types of items will be accepted as your one personal item. Of course, it also depends on how strict the flight attendants chose to be. Some are absolutely sweethearts and others are directly related to the Grinch.
Flying for an extended period of time can be tiresome. Trying to stay alert during a long check-in line, a security checkpoint, and a lengthy flight is challenging. Even worse is sitting next to someone who snores or spills their snacks all over your side of the plane. Fortunately, there are ways to make any journey more relaxing and enjoyable; one of them being bringing your own blanket!
What Counts as a Carry-on?
Your carry-on items are those you can transport by hand, without the assistance of a trolley or other assistance. These items must be within the dimensions set by the airline and will typically include your personal items along with your regular luggage items. For example, if you’re bringing a laptop in a bag as your personal item, you will want to check the dimensions to make sure that it fits the restrictions of your airline.
For most flights, your carry-on items must fit within a single piece of luggage that does not exceed 22 inches long x 14 inches wide x 9 inches high (56 x 36 x 23 cm). However, there are some exceptions to this rule. International flights have different rules and you may find that you’re allowed to bring a slightly larger piece of luggage on your trip.
Does a Blanket Count as a Personal Item?
Well, if you get all technical and follow the letter of the law, a personal item should be something that you can easily carry by hand and that you can store easily in the overhead bin above your seat. So yes, it could be deemed as a personal item. However what if you fall asleep on your flight and want to use the blanket to cover yourself? Most airlines allow passengers to fold the items they bring onboard as their personal item.
A blanket is great because it’s extremely easy to fold. This means you can store it easily in your seat and earn bonus points for helping the flight attendants. You may also want to tuck it away in your carry-on bag to keep it from getting too dirty.
Does a Blanket Count as a Carry-On Item?
Again, getting very technical your carry-on items can include any small items that you can fit in your lap. This includes laptops, books, and other larger items that you might want to access during your flight. However, your blanket is likely not the best item to include in this category. Then again, it depends.
Most airlines have strict rules about items that can be used as pillows. This typically includes ensuring that your pillow is clean and that it is stored in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the spread of germs. A blanket doesn’t meet these criteria and is more likely to be taken away and disposed of by the flight attendants. This means that you’ll have to go without a pillow for the duration of your flight. If you are bringing a sleep mask, you can use that as a makeshift pillow. Yet, I’d still be seriously upset if they threw away my pillow or blanket.
Could I bring a Weighted Blanket on a plane?
All the rules and regulations we’ve discussed so far are related to normal blankets. However, weighted blankets are something that most people don’t think to bring on a plane. Weighted blankets are designed to calm individuals who experience anxiety or sensory processing disorders.
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Most weighted blankets have small beans or pellets sewn into the fabric to create a calming effect. However, some weighted blankets are used as a type of therapy. These blankets are often larger than the average blanket and may exceed the size restrictions of your airline. In this case, you can ask the gate agent if you can bring your weighted blanket on the plane. There should be no issues if it is used to help an individual who is needing help on the flight, but it’s the travel business, so everything has rules, but it all depends.
Is a Baby’s Blanket as a Personal Item?
There seems to be some tolerance for families who have extra items on flights. Thankfully! So it will depend on the airline you choose to fly. Most airlines allow passengers to bring one personal item that can either be carried by hand or fit in the overhead bin. Some airlines may allow you to bring a baby in your lap as your personal item, while others may require that the baby be placed in a special seat.
The main thing to remember is that your item must be able to fit in the overhead bin. If it doesn’t, the flight attendants may ask you to put the item in the bin above your seat. If you want to bring a baby’s blanket with you, make sure that it is small enough to fit in the overhead bin. You can also consider bringing the baby’s hat, which can serve as a quick personalized item. Or put it all in a baby bag and shove it under the seat for easy access.
What Counts as a Larger Item?
Many passengers bring larger items with them on their trip. This includes duffel bags, backpacks, or even large handbags. These items are usually stored in the overhead bin above your seat. However, some airlines have strict rules about the size of these items. Some airlines have a rule that no item may exceed 21 inches (53 cm) in length.
In other cases, the rule is that no item may exceed 16 inches (40 cm) in length. This means that anything larger than a normal backpack or duffel bag is required to be checked as a larger item. If you want to bring a large item with you on your trip, make sure it conforms to the airline’s requirements. You may also want to invest in a garment bag that can be used to wrap your larger items like coats or suitcases.
Different Airlines, Different Rules
Although each airline has its own rules and regulations, they are all required to adhere to certain safety and comfort standards. In general, all airlines will require you to check your bag if it is too large or heavy to bring on the plane. Smaller airlines may be more lenient when it comes to the size restrictions of your personal items.
They may also encourage their passengers to bring larger items onboard, as this will help increase the flow of the line at the security checkpoint. Larger airlines like Southwest and American Airlines are more strict when it comes to the size of your personal items.
Could I bring a Blanket and Pillow as One Personal Item?
You might be wondering if you can bring both a blanket and a pillow as part of one personal item. Unfortunately, no. Nice try! Airlines have strict rules regarding the size of your personal item. The dimensions of your personal item should not exceed 16 x 14 x 9 inches (40 x 35 x 23 cm). While the sizes of these objects are not identical, they are both large and bulky items that could be difficult for other passengers if you had to get up in a hurry during an evacuation.
Therefore, the best thing to do is choose one item as your personal item and leave the other item behind. If you plan on using a blanket on the plane, make sure you don’t bring a pillow along as your personal item.
Should I even Ask if a Carry-on could include a blanket?
This depends on the airline that you are flying. Some airlines are more lax about their rules than others. Southwest Airlines, for example, is notorious for its relaxed approach to almost everything, including the size of a passenger’s personal item. You might want to avoid asking the gate agent if you can bring a blanket, though.
Some passengers worry that employees will judge them or really get in their face if they bring a large item onto the plane. If you are nervous about asking, consider bringing a smaller blanket that can be easily carried in your hand. You could also consider bringing a small pillow that can fit comfortably in your lap.
Why are there rules over Carry-on for Personal items?
We understand that it can be inconvenient or even unfair if you want to bring a certain item onboard but it doesn’t fit into the airline’s general guidelines for allowed personal items. However, there are good reasons for these rules.
Larger items like book bags and duffel bags create issues for the crew during an evacuation. They can also be a safety hazard if they are dropped and cause other passengers to trip or fall. Because of this, smaller items like wallets and handbags are safer for passengers and crew alike.
Call Your Airlines for Confirmation
If you’re still unsure about whether you can bring a certain item onboard your flight, call your airline to find out. You can also check if there are any specific rules related to the item you want to bring. Once you know the rules, you can plan ahead and make sure that your items fit within the restrictions of the airline. This will make your trip more comfortable and save you the trouble of being asked to put your items in the bin.
In Conclusion
Whether you’re flying domestically or abroad, it’s a good idea to bring a blanket. This means you can control the germs you have in your immediate area and be comfortable. Remember you’ll need to know the rules surrounding what you can and can’t bring onboard the plane. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that your item must fit within the size restrictions of your airline. Your item must also be able to fit in the overhead bin above your seat.
This means you may need to fold it correctly or bring a smaller item with you. If you want to fly with a larger item, you can always check it in as a piece of luggage. Whatever you bring with you, just remember to keep it safe, clean, and easy to store. However it’s highly unlikely they will make you check your pillow and blanket (you might be a stern face from the flight attendant though.)
