Last Updated: January 30, 2023
Can You Bring An Umbrella On A Plane?
Traveling overseas and you’re not sure if you’re allowed to bring an umbrella on a plane? Then you’re definitely in the right place because this detailed guide will tell you everything you need to know about transporting umbrellas on planes.
The short answer is yes, you’re allowed to have an umbrella on a plane. But you’re not always allowed to have an umbrella in your carry-on luggage and you’re definitely not allowed to fly with all types of umbrellas on all airlines. Keep reading for details on which airlines are stricter about umbrellas than others, and figure out what’s most relevant for your next trip!
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What Type of Umbrellas Can You Bring On A Plane?
You’re allowed to bring most types of umbrellas on an airplane. As long as the umbrella isn’t longer than 20” and it easily fits in the overhead bin, you should be allowed to bring it on a plane.
Small foldable umbrellas are allowed on airplanes, and in most cases, you can just carry them on the airplane in your hand. Long umbrellas with a pointed ferrule are the only ones you might have a problem with – they are banned by certain airlines and at certain airports, so just avoid carrying one of those with you.
Metal umbrellas might also be taken away by airport security for further inspection, but they’ll likely be returned. Sun umbrellas and golf umbrellas won’t always be allowed inside an airplane cabin, but you can always transport them in your checked luggage.
Another thing to note here is that airport security might take away your umbrella if it’s too damaged. That means that if you have an umbrella with half the bars uncovered and sticking out, it’s time to buy a new one – preferably a foldable one that fits into all bags so that you don’t have any issues bringing it on the plane.
Can You Bring An Umbrella in Your Cabin Luggage?
Yes, you’re allowed to bring an umbrella in your cabin luggage. You can pack it in your carry-on bag or in your personal item, and in some cases, you can just carry it onto the airplane in your hands.
A small foldable umbrella is the best kind for travel. It will easily fit in the side pocket of a backpack, and you can just throw it in any cabin bag, even a small personal item. Some foldable umbrellas are so small they’ll even fit in your jacket pocket.
It’s worth noting that whether you’re allowed to bring an umbrella on a plane usually depends on the airline you’re traveling with. If you’re not certain, it’s always best to call ahead and ask. Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s very unlikely you’ll face any issues when carrying small foldable umbrellas in your carry-on bags. These are extremely common and there are even loads of small umbrellas that are specifically designed for travel.
If you’re mostly concerned about having something to protect you from rainy weather, just pick up a foldable umbrella and you’re good. But if you’re thinking about packing a different kind of umbrella (golf umbrellas or even sun umbrellas), you’ll face more issues than you might be expecting.
Larger umbrellas, especially those with sharply pointed ferrules are the main type of umbrellas you might have an issue with. Some airlines and airports consider these dangerous items because of the sharp pointed end, and they impose certain restrictions on them.
But these aren’t quite as common and they’re usually international airlines. US airlines are pretty relaxed about umbrellas – most don’t even mention umbrellas in their lists of items you can and cannot bring on a plane.
Can You Bring An Umbrella In Your Checked Luggage?
Yes, you can have an umbrella in your checked luggage. If you have no use for the umbrella in your carry-on baggage, it’s best to pack it in your checked bag. You are allowed to carry bigger umbrellas in your checked luggage, and you could even check a sun umbrella if you wanted to.
Most airlines have similar rules when it comes to checked bags – as long as you’re paying the additional fees, they will let you check almost anything.
No airport or airline imposes a restriction on umbrellas in checked luggage. If you’ve got a metal umbrella, a walking cane umbrella, a golf umbrella, or even a sun umbrella you’d like to transport on a plane, you do so if you just put it in your checked baggage or check it separately.
Additionally, budget airlines like Ryanair and WizzAir might even treat your umbrella as a checked baggage item if it exceeds the size of the cabin-bag allowance. This is usually just to get as much money out of you as possible, and it’s generally cheaper to just buy a new umbrella when you arrive at your destination than to actually pay a checked baggage fee for a single umbrella.
Umbrella Restrictions Between Different Airlines
Different airlines treat umbrellas differently – some will allow even golf-style umbrellas inside the cabin, in addition to any other cabin bag you might have, while others won’t allow you to bring a sharp-pointed umbrella inside an airplane.
United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and American Airlines allow all umbrellas on airplanes in addition to a personal bag and they treat them just like books or pillows. Cathay Pacific and Turkish Airlines consider sharp-pointed umbrellas to be dangerous objects and do not allow them on airplanes.
Wizz Air doesn’t allow large umbrellas in the cabin either, but they’re a budget airline that does whatever they can to extract as much money as possible from their customers. They’ll let you board a plane with an umbrella if it can fit in your carry-on luggage, but if it exceeds the dimensions of their allowed cabin bags, you’ll be forced to check it.
Ryanair will also consider bigger umbrellas as personal items, so you can’t bring a bag if you’re carrying a big umbrella, which is absolutely ridiculous. It’s just a way for them to extort money from you, so just get rid of the umbrella rather than paying any additional fees.
Umbrella Restrictions Between Different Airports
Some airports have restrictions for certain types of umbrellas – the Amsterdam Schipol Airport doesn’t allow any umbrellas with pointed tips. Even if the airline you flew with lets you bring a pointed umbrella on the plane, it might get taken away by the airport security when you land.
The vast majority of international airports do not have any restrictions regarding umbrellas. LAX, Heathrow, Dubai International Airport, JFK, and a myriad of others all allow umbrellas regardless of the type. They’ll likely have to go through an X-ray so that the security is certain you’re not trying to smuggle something inside that umbrella, but after that, you’ll be cleared to continue with your preferred umbrella.
It’s important to note that airport security personnel have the final say when it comes to what you can and can’t have at the airport. So, always be polite, smile, and if it turns out you’re at the airport with a restricted item, just plead ignorance. It’s unlikely you’ll get punished for something you genuinely didn’t know, especially when it’s such a common item as an umbrella.
Hong Kong International Airport can also be tricky with pointed umbrellas – they’re technically not forbidden, but anyone carrying an umbrella will most likely be under extra scrutiny. That’s because of the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests, which saw hordes of protestors use umbrellas to defend themselves from the police.
Other Rain Protection You Can Bring On A Plane
In addition to small foldable umbrellas, there’s loads of other rain protection you can bring on a plain. A simple waterproof jacket with a sturdy hood will do wonders in protecting you from light rain. In case you’re expecting heavy rain at your destination, it’s best to pack a proper raincoat or even a rain poncho.
You can get disposable rain ponchos in single-use packaging. They look like individually packaged wet wipes and they take up very little space in your carry-on luggage. The packed poncho isn’t much bigger than your smartphone and it’s super lightweight, which makes it an excellent alternative to umbrellas for rain protection.
You could also just bring a proper rain jacket. Wear it if you don’t have enough space for it in your luggage and you won’t have to pay anything extra to carry it on the plane.
Waterproof shoes, backpack rain covers, and even hat umbrellas are all items you can bring on your trip if you’re expecting a lot of rain. Those who plan to spend a lot of time exploring the great outdoors should also look into waterproof pants, waterproof socks, and gaiters – you’ll want to waterproof as much of your body as possible because a dry hiker is a happy hiker.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you’ve got a small foldable umbrella that fits in your carry-on, you are 100% allowed to bring it on a plane, as long as it’s not falling apart and metal bars aren’t sticking out everywhere. Also, you’re allowed to have any type of umbrella in your checked baggage.
Golf umbrellas, sun umbrellas, and metal umbrellas with shart pointed ends are the ones you might have issues with. The vast majority of airlines and airports in the world will let you fly with an umbrella as long as it’s not ridiculously big. Budget airlines might make you check a bigger umbrella, but they’re just trying to get you to spend money.
Also, if you don’t want to travel with an umbrella, there are loads of other rain protection gear you can bring on your trip. Look into disposable rain ponchos, raincoats, and just packable rain jackets as the best alternatives to umbrellas!
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About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
