So, I wanted to figure out if I could bring a cart on an airplane. You know, those foldable ones you use for luggage or groceries. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, so I decided to do some digging and this is what I found, I hope it helps somebody.
First, I checked the airline websites. I figured they’d have the most up-to-date rules, right? Well, some did, but not all. It was kind of a mixed bag. Some airlines were like, “Yeah, sure, bring your cart, just make sure it fits the carry-on size limits.” Others were all, “Nope, no carts allowed.”

Checkin the TSA
Then, I went to the TSA’s website. They’re the ones who check your bags at the airport, so they should know, I thought. They had some info about vape pens, which seemed kind of random, but it got me thinking about how they handle things you carry on. They said you gotta take vapes out of your bag and put them in the tray, so I guess carts would be similar.
I also found some people online talking about their experiences. Some said they brought their foldable carts on no problem. They just folded them up, measured them to make sure they fit the size limits, and carried them on. Others said airport carts were a no-go, which makes sense, those things are huge.
Here’s what I did
- Look up the rules: I went on the airline’s website and the TSA’s website to see if they had any specific rules about carts.
- Measure my cart: I got out my tape measure and checked the size of my cart when it was folded up. I needed to make sure it would fit in the overhead bin or under the seat.
- Ask around: I checked some online forums and travel groups to see what other people’s experiences were.
After all that, I felt pretty confident. I decided to bring my foldable cart on my next trip. I made sure it was folded up tight, and I put it in its own little carrying bag. When I got to security, I took it out like they said to do with vapes and put it in a separate tray. The TSA guy didn’t even bat an eye. I guess they see all sorts of stuff. I folded my little cart into my carry on bag and there were no issues.
So, yeah, you can bring a foldable cart on a plane, at least most of the time. Just do your homework first. Check the rules, measure your cart, and be prepared to take it out at security. It’s not that big of a deal, really. Easy peasy.