Whether you are on a trip to explore national parks or backpacking to distant destinations, tent camping can be a great way to spend your vacation. However, when it comes to traveling with your tent, there are a few things you need to know.
Most airlines allow you to take a tent on a plane as long as it is small enough to fit in the airline’s carry-on bag size restrictions. But it is always best to check with your airline for their specific rules on camping gear.
Size
When you take a tent on a plane, it should be small enough to fit in your carry-on bag or checked luggage depending on the airline you’re traveling with. You should also make sure it won’t weigh more than the weight limit of your carry-on bag or checked luggage.
You should also check with your airline to ensure that the tent will fit in the overhead bin or under your seat on the airplane. Most airlines restrict the size of carry-on items, so a larger tent will likely need to be checked.
TSA guidelines state that a tent can be brought on a plane as long as it’s within the size limits of your airline’s bags and that any tent poles or stakes are packed in your checked bag. However, the TSA does officially deem tent poles and stakes as weapons that should be stored in your checked bags.
Weight
If you are going camping and want to take your tent along on your travels, it’s best to check with the airline ahead of time. You may need to carry your tent as a checked bag, depending on its size and weight.
TSA guidelines indicate that it’s okay to bring a tent with you on a plane as long as it’s within the airline’s dimensions and weight restrictions. However, some tent parts – such as poles, pegs, stakes, and spikes – must be packed in your checked luggage as they are considered to be potential weapons that can pose a security threat on the airplane.
When choosing a tent, it’s a good idea to go with one that is lightweight and compact. This will make it easier to pack into your bag.
Security
Tents are a convenient and useful camping gear to carry when traveling on an airplane. However, they may need to be carefully packed to avoid any damage during transport.
According to TSA guidelines, you can take a tent in both a carry-on bag and a checked baggage if the dimensions are small enough to fit within your airline’s baggage restrictions. However, you must remove tent poles and stakes from the carry-on and pack them separately in a checked bag.
In addition, you must make sure that the fire lighters you use are refillable and able to be stored inside the bag. These must also be clean and empty to ensure that they are safe for the flight.
The TSA allowed you to bring a tent (fabric) in a carry-on bag but prohibited the equipment like skates, pegs, and tent poles in carry-on bags because these are sharp and weapon items.
Baggage Restrictions
When you take a tent on a plane, you need to make sure that it meets the baggage restrictions of the airline. This means that the tent needs to fit in the overhead bin or beneath the seat, and that it must not exceed the weight limits of the airline.
In addition to size and weight limitations, you also need to check the TSA guidelines for camping gear that is allowed on a flight. These rules are constantly changing, so it’s best to stay up to date with the latest information before you leave for your trip.
The TSA lets you bring tents on a plane as carry-ons, but be aware that it’s not always easy to pack one without breaking the size and weight restrictions. Additionally, it’s important to note that you need to pack tent poles and stakes in checked luggage.
