Comfort on an airplane can be hard to come by, especially on long flights. One way to make a flight more comfortable is by having a blanket to keep you warm or help you sleep better.
Sometimes airlines will provide you with a blanket to use on the flight, but what if you want to bring your own? Can you bring a blanket on a plane?
According to the TSA website, blankets are allowed in checked bags and carry-on bags. As always, the TSA officers at the security checkpoint have the final say on what can and can’t be brought on a plane.
This article will explain airlines’ rules regarding blankets as carry-on items, why you want to have your own blanket, and how to choose and pack your travel blanket.
Does a Blanket Count as a Carry-On?
Airlines have different rules as to whether or not a blanket counts as your personal or carry-on item.
In general, large airlines like United, American, and Delta do not consider items like blankets and pillows as carry-on items. You will be able to bring a blanket in addition to your carry-on bag.
These airlines won’t count blankets as your personal item either, so you can still bring a small backpack or laptop bag in addition to your blanket.
You should always check with the airline before you fly to learn about their baggage and carry-on policies.
However, budget airlines such as Spirit and Frontier are the most strict with baggage and carry-on policies. If you can’t fit your blanket into your personal or carry-on bag, your blanket will count as one of them.
If you are flying with a new airline, you should contact the airline to verify their rules regarding blankets and your baggage allowance.
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Why Should I Bring My Own Blanket?
Between the passengers and the crews, hundreds of people go in and off of a plane every single day. You may assume that your blanket on a long flight is clean and ready to use since it is folded and wrapped nicely, but that may not be the case.
According to Travel + Leisure, blankets get reused flight after flight. You are most likely to get a fresh, clean blanket on an early morning flight, but sometimes airlines will go as many as thirty days before washing the blankets.
And, this doesn’t only apply to the cheaper economy seats on a plane. Nicole Byer tweeted about the time she found human feces in her blanket in a first-class seat.
I don’t know about you, but I will always be using my own travel blanket from now on! Next, we have some information about how to choose and best use your travel blanket.
What’s the Recommended Size for a Travel Blanket?
You want your blanket to cover most or all of your body for maximum comfort. For the average person, 60 inches long is good enough to cover your body without having too much excess blanket to worry about.
As for the width of your blanket, you usually want at least 40 inches, so it covers your entire body, but closer to 50 inches if you want it to fully wrap around you.
If you are a taller person, you want to get a longer blanket. And children’s travel blankets should be shorter, usually 30 to 40 inches long, depending on the child’s age and size.
No matter what size you choose, make sure it is not too big such that it takes up too much space in your bag and not too small that it doesn’t keep you warm and comfortable.
How to Pack a Travel Blanket
The most important thing to remember when packing your travel blanket is that it should be accessible when you are at the airport and on the plane.
If you pack your blanket in your checked bag, you will not have access to it until you reach your final destination. If it is at the bottom of your carry-on bag, you will have difficulty accessing it when you need it.
If possible, keep it with you outside of your bags when you board the plane. This method is the easiest way to pack your travel blanket so you can reach it and use it whenever you wish.
However, sometimes you have to pack it in your bag, so make sure you keep it on top of your other items or in an easy-to-access outer pocket. You can remove it from your bag after you board the plane and before takeoff, so you have it for the whole trip.
An easy way to pack blankets is in a duffel bag, which is made of flexible material. Learn about bringing them on a plane and whether or not duffel bags are personal items.
Top 3 Recommended Travel Blankets
Now that you know how to bring a blanket on a plane and why you should bring your own travel blanket, we have our top 3 recommended travel blankets.
EverSnug Travel Blanket and Pillow – 2 in 1
The EverSnug blanket is both lightweight and thin, making it perfect for travel. There are four colors to choose from, and it has a cute airplane and suitcase design on the case.
When the blanket is in the case, it doubles as a pillow. However, you can’t use it as a pillow and a blanket simultaneously.
The carrying case has two ways to connect the blanket to your bags. First is a simple clip on one corner that easily hooks to a backpack, purse, or luggage handle.
The second is the luggage strap on the back that will easily fit over your luggage handle for easy carrying when rolling your luggage around the airport.
The blanket is 65 x 40, making it longer than most and perfect for taller people. You can even share it with someone else since it is so long.
4 in 1 Travel Blanket by Let’s Innovate Life
This second blanket is also easy to pack and carry. It comes with a clip that you can attach to a backpack or a luggage strap, making it easy to carry around the airport.
The blanket comes in three colors, and there is a pocket on the side of the case. You can use it to easily carry items like snacks or tickets or store items like your phone while you are using the blanket.
Finally, a bonus inflatable pillow comes with the blanket in a second pocket on the carrying case. The pillow is easy to use, and it pairs perfectly with the blanket for maximum comfort while you travel.
The blanket is 40 x 60 inches making it the perfect size for most people. It is big enough to keep you warm without being too big to pack.
World’s Best Cozy-Soft Microfleece Travel Blanket
Our final top travel blanket is a machine washable polyester blanket that was made in the USA. This blanket is cheaper than the other two, and it comes in seven colors.
It doesn’t have a carrying case like the other two, but it rolls up, making it compact enough to fit in your backpack or luggage. It is also lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about straining your back or luggage weight limits just to carry it.
If you are worried about your luggage being too heavy, read about the best ways to weigh luggage.
The blanket is 60 x 50 inches which is wider than the other two on the list. This size is great for people who want to wrap themselves up in their travel blanket or share with a friend.
