Can I Bring Pickleball Paddles on a Plane?
As pickleball addicts, we’ve all been there. You’re planning a trip – a family vacation, a romantic weekend getaway, or, perhaps, a business trip – and you’ve convinced yourself that you just have to get in a few hours of pickleball while you’re there.
You’ve even done your homework (the one-time homework is fun) and have identified some pickleball courts “nearby.” The inevitable question – assuming you’re flying – then becomes, “Am I allowed to pack my paddles in my carry-on bag or do I need to put them in my checked bag?”
Not a Cut-and-Dried Answer – Not Even from TSA!
Unfortunately, there is not a cut-and-dried answer to this question. Pickleball paddles are not specifically mentioned in the prohibited items list for carry-on bags. However, whether or not they are allowed in carry-on luggage seems to be at the discretion of the TSA officer.
While most people will tell you they haven’t had any issues carrying their paddles on the plane, others will counter by telling you that their paddles were not allowed as carry-on items and had to be stowed in their checked bags. Let’s just hope the TSA officer is a pickleball player!
Shown below is the question and official TSA response (in 2 parts):
@AskTSA It’s been a while since I’ve flown. Are pickleball paddles still allowed in both carry-on and checked bags? Thanks in advance!
— PickleballMAX (@pickleballmax) February 28, 2022
1: Pickleball paddles aren’t specifically mentioned on our prohibited items list for carry-on bags. However, our officers have the discretion to not allow an item through security if it triggers an alarm during the screening process or poses other security…
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) February 28, 2022
2: concerns based on its size or weight. Due to this discretion of our officer, it’s recommended that you place the item in a checked bag.
— AskTSA (@AskTSA) February 28, 2022
Final Thoughts
We would like to hear from you – especially if you have recently flown. Please let us know in the comments below if your paddles were allowed as a carry-on item and you were, indeed, allowed to take them with you on the plane.
See you on the courts.
I agree with the above comments. I’ve several times with (4) paddles, balls, glove and what not to play places. I even packed my hats, reading material and tablet all in my pickleball back (does get a little heavy) with no issues at all>
I’ve carried my pickleball paddle (also paddleball & racquetball racquet) in my carry-on backpack dozens of times all over the country, most recently last week to Florida. There’s never been a question or concern.
3 years in a row I have taken 2 pickleball paddles on the plane to Florida and Alaska for everybody to see no problems at all
I don’t understand why pickleball paddles are an issue for the TSA. I see tennis rackets on the airplanes as carry ones all the time. OF course they are in court bags.