Life Jacket
Foam life jackets are unrestricted; inflatable ones with CO2 cartridges are allowed too, but only up to two cartridges installed plus two spares.
Carry-on
Allowed with conditions
Checked
Allowed with conditions
Carry-on details
Allowed with conditions. A standard foam life jacket isn't restricted at all. An inflatable life vest with CO2 cartridges is also allowed, but TSA limits you to up to two CO2 cartridges installed in the vest, plus two spare cartridges carried alongside it — loose CO2 cartridges without an attached life jacket are not permitted. Some airlines are stricter than TSA and ban or limit CO2 cylinders outright, so confirm with your airline (and any connecting airline) before you fly.
Checked-bag details
Allowed with the same cartridge limit. The two-installed-plus-two-spare CO2 cartridge limit applies in checked baggage as well as carry-on. Foam life jackets have no restriction. As with carry-on, check your airline's policy first, since CO2 cartridge rules vary by carrier.
Quantity limit
4 count (per passenger)
Special instructions
You cannot travel with spare CO2 cartridges unless they're accompanying an actual life jacket — TSA treats standalone cartridges as a separate, more restricted item. Verify your airline's CO2 cylinder policy before packing, since roughly half of airlines restrict or prohibit them beyond what TSA allows.
FAQ
- How many CO2 cartridges can I bring with an inflatable life jacket?
- Up to two installed in the vest itself, plus two spare cartridges — a maximum of four total per person, in carry-on or checked baggage.
- Can I pack spare CO2 cartridges without the life jacket?
- No. TSA does not allow CO2 cartridges to be transported on their own — they must be accompanying the life jacket they're meant for.
- Do all airlines allow CO2 cartridges for inflatable life jackets?
- Not necessarily. TSA permits them within the stated limits, but individual airlines set their own, sometimes stricter, rules — some allow checked baggage only, and others prohibit them entirely. Check with your airline and any connecting carriers before you fly.
Related items
Source: TSA — What Can I Bring? · Last verified: 2026-07-31
Final decision rests with the security officer at the checkpoint.