🏊 Swim fins / flippers

Swim fins are not prohibited items, but if they're too large to fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you, the gate agent — not the security screener — may require you to check them at the gate. The security checkpoint itself will not confiscate them. If your fins don't fit, they'll be gate-checked, usually at no charge, but it's better to check large fins with your luggage from the start.

The rule is the same everywhere: swim fins are permitted in carry-on if they fit within the airline's overhead bin size limits. Because bin dimensions vary by airline and aircraft type, a pair of fins that fits on one route may need to be checked on another. There are no regions that specifically ban swim fins as a category — it's purely a size question.

Gate agents have some discretion when it comes to bulky but lightweight sports equipment. If your fins are slightly over the size guide but can be compressed or positioned at an angle in the bin, many agents will let it go. That said, during full flights where overhead space is tight, they may gate-check them regardless — be prepared for either outcome.

Short full-foot fins in smaller sizes often fit in a standard carry-on bag and travel easily in the cabin. Long freediving or scuba-style fins rarely fit and should be checked from the outset to avoid complications at the gate. Packing fins in a padded bag and checking them also reduces the risk of the blade edges damaging other items in your luggage.