Can You Bring an Umbrella on a Plane?

Carry-on Luggage	Checked Luggage
Yes	Yes

Can you bring an umbrella on a plane? The answer is sure you can! Flight attendants regularly check your carry-on baggage for sharp objects and other prohibited items, which is why you’re allowed to bring your umbrella on board. If it’s raining outside the airport, put away the umbrella before you get there — otherwise you may have trouble finding a place to store it.

Which Type of Umbrella Should You Bring?

There are two basic types of umbrellas: standard and compact.

Standard umbrellas usually have a wooden handle, a canvas covering, and wooden ribs. They are perfect for heavy downpours and last for many years if well cared for. Their bulky size makes them difficult to carry on a plane, however, so you may want to pack them in your luggage instead. Whether you use a standard umbrella or a compact one is really up to you.

Compact umbrellas are even smaller than standard umbrellas and have a fold-up handle on one side, which makes them easier to store and carry. However, because they don’t have ribs, they don’t protect you from rain as well as a standard umbrella does. And with their thin fabric covering and plastic ribs, compact umbrellas can easily rip or break if you buy them cheaply. Most compact umbrellas are made of nylon.

Umbrellas with pointed ends

These umbrellas have long, thin wooden or metal points as handles. The points make it easy to spear an attacker with your umbrella if necessary, and the narrow design provides greater balance. However, they are also more likely than standard umbrellas to be accidentally broken or stolen by someone who doesn’t want you to have this type of protection.

They also cause injuries if you accidentally jab someone with one. If you’re taking a flight and want to protect yourself from the elements, check with your airline first to find out whether pointed-tip umbrellas are prohibited on your flight — some airlines prohibit them for safety reasons.

Long, Straight Umbrellas

These umbrellas are a pain to fold up. They’re also called scoops. And although they don’t go in your bag, they probably won’t last more than one flight. If you want something that folds compactly and easily, choose the compact umbrella instead.

Umbrellas with Magnetised Handles

Another type of umbrella that you can bring on a plane is one with a magnetized handle. This type is handy if you want to hang it in the bathroom while you’re traveling. Try to keep the magnet away from your metal jewelry or other metal objects, though, because it’s not recommended that you bring magnets on board a plane.

You can also check with your airline to find out whether this type of umbrella is prohibited for safety reasons. These handy umbrellas have metal, magnetic handles that stick to the side of your bag. They’re good for seniors who have trouble lifting and carrying regular umbrellas.

Are Umbrellas Allowed in Checked Luggage?

If you’re planning to travel with your umbrella, check the airline’s rules on checked baggage first to confirm whether can you bring an umbrella on a plane. Some require that you carry smaller umbrellas in a free clear plastic bag that’s provided by the airline.

However, if you have a larger umbrella or one with a pointy end, don’t carry it in your checked baggage — it can cause damage to other passengers’ luggage. Instead, store it in your carry-on baggage and take it out when you get on board.

What About Travel Umbrellas?

If you’re flying somewhere to take a cruise or participate in other sightseeing activities, you might be wondering whether you can bring an umbrella. Since travel umbrellas have a thinner fabric covering and fewer ribs, they may not protect you from heavy rain as well as a standard umbrella does. If this is a concern, consider packing your standard umbrella in your luggage instead of using the travel umbrella on board the plane.

Are Umbrellas Allowed On Board?

You can bring an umbrella on board an airplane if it’s not too large and fits in the overhead bin without blocking other passengers’ view of the flight attendants. But, even with a large umbrella, you may still be prohibited from bringing it on board — see What Types of Umbrellas Are Prohibited Onboard? for more information.

Every airline has its own rules about what you’re allowed to bring on board, so read your ticket carefully. Some airlines allow you to bring an umbrella on board if it’s not sharp and won’t puncture the side of your bag, but some do not.

Who Pays for Umbrellas?

Most airlines charge you a fee if you bring on board an umbrella, even if it’s the type that fits in your baggage without blocking other passengers’ view. For example, on some airlines, you may have to pay extra baggage fees for your umbrella; others charge only for standard umbrellas.

Airlines usually charge a fee for bringing an umbrella on board. And even if there’s no extra charge, you might still want to check with the airline first before packing your umbrella in your carry-on bag.

Do Umbrellas Fall Through the Latch?

Yes, umbrellas do fall through the airline’s opening, but many airlines provide a free plastic sleeve to keep your umbrella from getting damaged.

Where Can You Leave Umbrellas?

If you are boarding the plane, you’re allowed to leave your umbrella in the terminal. If you’re flying as a passenger, factor in the time to get from the ticket counter to your gate and back. You’ll also want to check with your airline first.

So when should you pack an umbrella for travel? Maybe on the rainy days when it’s windy and raining all day long. Or maybe during summer vacation when it’s sunny but humid and warm, so there’s a greater risk of stormy weather.

You’re also allowed to leave your umbrella on the plane at any time, and you can get it back later — within two hours for most airlines in the U.S., or four hours for Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and United.

---

Wrapping Up

A lot of people are worried about bringing an umbrella on board a plane because they think it might poke someone in the eye. But that’s not going to happen because flight attendants regularly check your carry-on baggage for sharp objects and other prohibited items, which is why you’re allowed to bring your umbrella on board. If it’s raining outside the airport, put away the umbrella before you get there — otherwise you may have trouble finding a place to store it.

We hope this post answers your question on “Can you bring an umbrella on a plane? “