jetBlue Carry-On Rules: Everything Need to Know

If you’re planning to travel with just a carry-on, you’ll need to be up to speed with airline carry-on policies.  Specifically, the various rules and regulations each carrier has for what you can and cannot “carry-on” to the plane.   Each airline’s rules are different, so don’t just assume what works for one will work for all airlines.

If you are going to be flying jetBlue, here are the Carry-On rules you need to be aware of:

jetBlue Carry-On Rules and Bag Guidelines

jetBlue allows one carry-on bag and one personal item onboard at no charge.  The personal item must fit under the seat in front of you, and the carry-on bag must be stowed in the overhead bin.

What does jetBlue consider a Personal item?

Personal items include a purse, briefcase, laptop, backpack, shopping bag or a similar sized item.

The following items may be brought onboard without counting toward your carry-on limit.

• Duty-Free items (a reasonable and limited amount)
• One diaper bag (for customers traveling with a lap infant) as a carry-on item
• Special items (coat, umbrella, infant car seat, etc.)
• Assistive devices (wheelchairs, canes, walkers, etc.)

jetBlue Carry-On Dimensions

jetBlue’s size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 14″ x 9″.

If you are not sure what size your carry on is, jetBlue does provide size check templates located at their ticket counters and gates.  But by the time you get to either of these locations it’s too late if the bag is too big, so better to always know your bag size in advance.

Carry-On Weight Limits

jetBlue does not impose weight restrictions with a carry-on bag.

jetBlue Carry-On Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

If you are flying one of jetBlue smaller jets (Embraer E190) you can bring a personal item on board, but you may have to gate check a carry-on bag the aircraft due to limited overhead space.  Personal items must be able to fit under the seat in front of the passenger.

All carry-on bags within jetBlue’s size restrictions will be gate checked, free of charge, during the boarding process and returned upon deplaning.

If you want to make sure you have a bag that will fit, check out this article on the best carry-on luggage for regional jets.

Carry-On Prohibited Items

There certain items are considered dangerous and classified as hazardous material.  Dangerous goods are prohibited from both your carry-on and checked bag in all jetBlue flights.  These rules are not specific to jetBlue and are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The list includes items such as aerosols, fireworks, matches, etc…  A complete list can be found on the FAA website and the TSA website.

Carry-On Liquids

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA and FAA.  jetBlue doesn’t make the rules, but they must enforce them.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or100 milliliters. Each passenger is limited to one quart-size bag of liquids, gels and aerosols. Common travel items that must comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule include toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mouthwash and lotion.

Any liquid that does not meet the TSA 3-1-1 rule will either have to be checked with your luggage or will be thrown away at the security check point.

Here is a little video to help illustrate:

Exceptions to this rule are certain medications and baby food / child nourishment.

Carry-On Food

There are two different scenarios here.  Food you bring with you from home and food you buy at the airport, after you have gone through security.

Any important thing to note is the classification of liquid vs. solid foods.   The general rule is “If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it, or pour it, then it’s considered a liquid or gel,”.   This means your food may be considered a liquid and will fall under the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule, which mandates that any liquid, gel, cream, aerosol, or paste in a carry-on must be 3.4 ounces or less, and fit in one quart-size resealable bag (only one such bag is allowed per passenger).

Here is a link to the TSA website advising what food can be brought with you on your jetBlue flight.  This applies to food you are bringing from home through security.   Once you get through security, you can bring just about any food on the plane that you buy at the airport.

jetBlue Carry-On Pet Policy

jetBlue Airlines may not charge for your carry-on bag, but they will charge for your carry-on pet.

If you are going to bring a pet on board with you, it must be able to fit in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you.  Your pet carrier will count as a carry-on bag and cannot exceed 17″L x 12.5″W x 8.5″H, and the combined weight of your pet and the carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.

Here are a couple of other things to be aware of:

• Only one pet per customer is allowed.
• A limited number of pets are allowed on each flight, so it’s best to book early.
• Carry-On pets are not allowed in Mint.
• Pets are not accepted on interline/code share bookings, regardless of booking source
• Pets are not permitted on flights going to Jamaica, Barbados, St Lucia, the Cayman Islands, or Trinidad & Tobago.
• TrueBlue members earn 300 extra points per segment for adding a pet to their booking.

Carry-On Pet Fees

Here is a chart showing the pet fees jetBlue charges each way.   Double them for a round trip flight.

TSA Approved Pet Carrier for jetBlue

If you do plan on bringing your pet with you, make sure you follow TSA’s pet policy and have an approved Pet Carrier that conforms to jetBlue’s pet policy.

jetBlue Carry-On Fee

jetBlue does not charge a fee for carry-on baggage that meets their size requirements.  If your bag is too large and does not meet jetBlue’s carry on restrictions, you may be charged a fee to gate check it.

Here is a link to jetBlue’s Carry-On page to make sure you have the most up to date information.

More related articles….

1. 5 Tips to Travel with Just One Bag
2. How to Use Packing Cubes to Travel with Just A Carry-On
3. The Best Carry-On Bags for Regional and Small Jets
4. 5 Essential Things to Stay Organized While on The Road