jetBlue Carry-On Policy: Everything You 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 that what works for one will work for all airlines.

If you are going to be flying jetBlue, they have very specific guidelines for carry-on sizes, liquids, and other unique items that you may want to bring on board.

In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about jetBlue’s carry-on policy. This includes jetBlue’s carry-on size and weight limits, liquid policy, personal items, pets, prohibited items, and other rules and restrictions you should know before boarding your flight.

jetBlue Carry-On Size & Weight Limit

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.

jetBlue Carry-On Size (Dimensions)

jetBlue’s size requirements for a carry-on are 22″ x 14″ x 9″ (58 x 35 x 23 cm).

If you aren’t sure what size your carry-on is, jetBlue typically provides “size check templates” located at their ticketing counters and departure gates.

However, by the time you get to either of these locations, it may be too late. If your bag is too big, you will have to check it (and possibly pay a fee), so it’s better always to know your bag size and the airline size restrictions in advance.

Carry-On Weight Limit

jetBlue doesn’t impose weight restrictions on a carry-on bag. However, when checking a bag, the weight limit is 50 pounds per bag.

jetBlue Carry-On Bag Guarantee

jetBlue offers a carry-on guarantee that is unique to them. I am not aware of any other airline that will guarantee a carry-on. Here are the terms:

Customers traveling on domestic flights within the U.S. with a Blue, Blue Extra, and Mint fare, or who purchase an Even More Space seat (on all legs, if connecting), are guaranteed that their carry-on bag will make it on board as long as it meets all the requirements.

If your bag doesn’t make it on board, you’ll receive a $25 JetBlue travel credit.

For all other routes, overhead bin space is first-come, first-served, and based on availability. If you’re in a later boarding group, you may be required to gate-check your carry-on bag.

Recommended Carry-On Bag When Flying jetBlue

If you are looking for a great carry-on bag when flying jetBlue, I recommend the Travelpro Maxlite 5 Expandable Spinner. I have used this carry-on for years. It’s durable, reasonably priced, and holds everything I need for shorter trips. Plus the spinner wheels make it very easy to get through the airport quickly.

jetBlue Personal Item Size

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

Personal items must not exceed 17″ L (43.2 cm) x 13″ W (33 cm) x 8″ H (20.32 cm).

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 Rules for Small Regional Aircraft

If you’re flying one of jetBlue’s smaller jets (Embraer E190) you can bring a personal item on board, but you may have to gate check a carry-on bag 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.

jetBlue Carry-on Liquids Policy

The rules for carry-on liquids are set by the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not by the airline.  jetBlue doesn’t have its own specific Liquids Policy, they just enforce the rules and policies of the TSA.

It’s also important to note that the rules for bringing a “liquid” in your carry-on bag differ from those that govern what you can bring in your checked luggage. Liquids in a carry-on bag must be 3.4 ounces or smaller and fit in a 1 quart-sized container. Anything larger must be placed in your checked baggage.

The TSA 3-1-1 Rule

Each passenger may carry liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are 3.4 ounces or 100 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, perfume, mouthwash, deodorant, 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 checkpoint.

Here is a little video to help illustrate this:

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

jetBlue Carry-on Food Policy

The TSA also sets the rules for what type of food you can bring on the plane. There are two different scenarios pertaining to food: 

• The food you bring with you from home, and
• The food you buy at the airport after you have gone through security.

When bringing food with you from home, an 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’s 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 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’re 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.

jetBlue Carry-On Pet Fees

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

To/From Destination	Pet Fee Each Way
Any jetBlue Airlines Flight	$125.00

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.

I have traveled with 2 dogs over the last 10 years, one was a 20 lb. Shih Tzu-Bichon (in the picture above) and another is a 12lb. Chihuahua mix. We used the Sherpa pet carrier when bringing them on a flight with us and it worked great!

Prohibited and Restricted Items

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

Prohibited Items:

Prohibited items are weapons, explosives, and incendiaries. This includes items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons (dual-use items). You may not bring these items to security checkpoints without authorization.

Here is a list of items that are strictly prohibited on jetBlue flights:

• Aerosol products (such as cooking spray or anti-static spray)
• Household Cleaners such as bleach, drain cleaners, or pesticides 
• Car Batteries
• Fireworks or explosives
• Ammunition, gunpowder, black powder, mace, and pepper spray
• Torch or blue flame lighters and all lighter refills
• Fuel (gasoline or sterno cans)
• Meals Ready to Eat (MREs)
• Pocket knife
• Paints, stains, or lubricant 
• “Strike-anywhere” matches 
• Safety razors and straight razor blades
• Hoverboards, balance gliders, self-balancing boards, or motorized riding suitcases that use lithium or lithium-ion batteries 
• Items with refrigerants including refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, or dehumidifiers

Restricted Items:

The following items are not considered “dangerous goods” and are allowed when packaged properly, in accordance with TSA regulations:

• Knitting/scissors
• Hiking or trekking poles
• Hair dryer/Straightener
• Hair spray
• Sunscreen/bug spray
• Batteries
• Food as a carry-on
• Fishing hooks
• Fragile glass items

It’s important to note that this is not an exhaustive list and that the TSA’s rules and regulations are subject to change. Additional prohibited or restricted goods and materials can be found in the following resources:

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations
• TSA Permitted and Prohibited Items
• FAA Packsafe List

jetBlue Carry-On Fees

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
5. How to Fly Standby on jetBlue
6. jetBlue Flight Delay and Cancellation Policy