Mastering Domestic Air Travel in the USA

carry-on and checked bags

Click the link for the Official TSA list of allowed and not allowed in your

Here's why SeatGuru reigns supreme:

• Unmatched detailed seat map library: SeatGuru boasts color-coded maps for all major airlines and aircraft types, highlighting the best, worst, and neutral seats. Find your seat on virtually any plane, anywhere in the world.

• Passenger-powered insights: Read real reviews from fellow flyers, to avoid unexpected surprises and discover hidden gems.

• Amenity intel: SeatGuru reveals all the details, from power outlets and entertainment options to meal service and Wi-Fi availability. Know what legroom, recline, and entertainment options await in each seat.

Find Your Perfect Airplane Seat

Ever board a plane only to be met with a cramped, middle seat nightmare? Enter SeatGuru.com, your savior in the sky! Founded by a frustrated frequent flyer in 2001, SeatGuru empowers you to choose the perfect airplane seat for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

Forget squinting at cryptic airline seat maps – SeatGuru's clear, color-coded diagrams let you instantly identify the best, worst, and neutral seats on over 800 aircraft types from all major airlines.

source: seatguru.com

Seat Map - Direct Link

SeatGuru:

SeatGuru.com Unleash the power of SeatGuru's detailed airplane seat maps! Discover the best and worst seats on over 800 aircraft types, ensuring comfort and legroom for your journey.

Track Your Flight in Real-Time

FlightAware is your window to the world of aviation, offering real-time, historical, and predictive flight tracking data. Think of it as Google Maps for the skies, but way more powerful!

Here's why FlightAware is your aviation wingman:

• Live Flight Tracking: See planes zipping across the globe, with detailed information like flight number, airline, aircraft type, altitude, and speed. It's like having your own personal air traffic control tower!

• Flight Status Updates: Never miss a beat. Get instant alerts on delays, cancellations, gate changes, and arrivals, so you can stay ahead of the curve and avoid airport chaos.

• Historical Data: Dive deep into aviation history. Explore past flights, analyze flight patterns, and even track specific aircraft over time. Perfect for aviation enthusiasts and data-driven travelers.

• Interactive Map: Visualize the global air traffic picture. See the density of flights in different regions, track major routes, and even identify specific aircraft with their unique call signs.

• Weather Overlay: Plan your trip smarter. See how weather conditions are affecting flights in real-time, so you can choose the smoothest journey possible.

• Advanced Tools: For the truly passionate, FlightAware offers premium features like detailed weather forecasts, turbulence reports, and airport delay statistics.

FlightAware - Direct Link

FlightAware:

FlightAware.com Stay informed and in control with FlightAware's real-time flight tracking. See plane locations, receive delay alerts, and track historical flight data for a seamless travel experience.

source: flightaware.com

Airport Codes- Direct Link

• Comprehensive Database: It boasts the most extensive collection of airport codes, covering both commercial and non-commercial airports worldwide. No matter how remote the airstrip, chances are you'll find it here.

• Search by Code or Name: Whether you have a three-letter mystery or an airport name on your mind, this website makes searching a breeze. Find the code you need in seconds, or discover the airport behind the code with ease.

• Detailed Information: Each airport entry includes valuable details like city, country, continent, time zone, elevation, runway dimensions, and even contact information.

• Interactive Map: Visualize the global network of airports. Explore by region, zoom in on specific areas, and see the codes come to life on a map.

Ever encountered those cryptic three-letter codes on your boarding pass and wondered what they meant? Fear not, traveler, for this website is your Rosetta Stone to the world of airport codes.

Your Ultimate Airport Code Decoder Ring

AirportCodes.aero:

AirCodes.aero Unleash the power of AirportCodes.aero, your comprehensive database of airport codes worldwide. Explore a vast collection covering both commercial and non-commercial airports, ensuring you find the code you need, no matter the destination.

Explore US Domestic Airlines

Airline Directory:

Our comprehensive directory provides contact information for all major US domestic airlines, including customer service, reservations, lost and found, rewords programs, baggage, weather, online support and more.

Acceptable Identification for TSA Checkpoints

To pass through a TSA security checkpoint, you must present one of the following valid forms of identification:

State-Issued Driver's License or ID: Must be REAL ID compliant starting May 7, 2025.

U.S. Passport or Passport Card: A widely accepted form of identification for domestic and international travel.

DHS Trusted Traveler Cards: Includes Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST cards, offering expedited clearance.

U.S. Department of Defense ID: Includes IDs issued to dependents.

Permanent Resident Card: Also known as a green card.

Border Crossing Card: Issued to Mexican nationals for temporary visits to the U.S.

Federally Recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe Photo ID: Issued by a federally recognized tribe.

HSPD-12 PIV Card: Government-issued identification for federal employees and contractors.

Foreign Government-Issued Passport: Along with a valid visa or entry permit for U.S. travel.

Canadian Provincial Driver's License or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Card: Accepted for travel between the U.S. and Canada.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC): For transportation workers requiring access to secure areas.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766): For foreign nationals authorized to work in the U.S.

U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential: For U.S. merchant mariners.

Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC): For eligible veterans.

Traveling by air requires valid identification for passengers aged 18 and older. This includes common options like driver's licenses, state IDs, and passports. However, there are specific rules to follow, especially with the upcoming REAL ID deadline. Let's break down what you need to know.

TSA Fines & Penalties: Know Before You Fly

Prohibited Items Discovered at Checkpoint/Sterile Area/Onboard Aircraft

Security Violations for Prohibited Items Discovered in Checked Baggage

Other Security Violations by Individuals or Persons

Don't let hefty TSA fines ruin your travel plans! This guide outlines what you need to know about TSA fines, common violations, and how to pack smart to avoid any security hassles at the airport.

Understand TSA Fines: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) enforces security regulations at airports. To maintain safety, they may impose civil penalties on travelers who violate these regulations.

Fines can vary depending on the severity of the violation and whether it's a first or repeat offense. The maximum fine can be as high as $14,950!

Fines & Penalty data last updated Sept. 2024

Check TSA.gov for latest updates.

Security Violations by Individuals for Prohibited Items Discovered at Checkpoint/Sterile Area/Onboard Aircraft

Any flammable liquid or gel fuels, including but not limited to gasoline, lighter fluids, cooking fuels; turpentine and paint thinners

$390 - $2,250

Axes and hatchets; bows and/or arrows; ice axes and ice picks; knives with blades that open automatically (such as switchblades); knives with blades that open via gravity (such as butterfly knives); any double-edge knives or daggers; meat cleavers; sabers; swords; fencing foils;machetes; throwing stars

$390 - $2,250

BB, pellet, and compressed-air guns; flare and starter pistols; realistic replicas of firearms (including gun lighters); permanently inert firearms; spear guns; stun guns, cattle prods, or other shocking devices

$390 - $2,250

Blasting caps; dynamite; gunpowder (more than 10 oz.); hand grenades; plastic explosives; all other high explosives

$8,960 - $14,950 + criminal referral

Consumer fireworks, novelty fireworks, professional display fireworks; flares; gunpowder (10 oz. or less)

$390 - $2,250

Loaded firearms (or unloaded firearms with accessible ammunition)

$3,000 - $10,700 + criminal referral / $10,700 - $14,950 + criminal referral (repeat violation)

Realistic replicas of explosives; inert hand grenades; intact vehicle air bags

$740 - $3,720 + criminal referral

Self-defense spray, tear gas

$390 - $2,250

Silencers, mufflers frames and/or receivers

$740 - 1,490 + criminal referral

Unloaded firearms

$1,500 - $5,370 + criminal referral

Fines & Penalty data last updated Sept. 2024

Check TSA.gov for latest updates.

Security Violations for Prohibited Items Discovered in Checked Baggage

Any flammable liquid or gel fuels, including but not limited to gasoline, lighter fluids, cooking fuels; turpentine and paint thinners

$390 - $2,250

Blasting caps; dynamite; gunpowder (more than 10 oz.); hand grenades; plastic explosives; all other high explosives

$8,960 - $14,950 + criminal referral

Consumer fireworks, novelty fireworks, professional display fireworks; flares; gunpowder (10 oz. or less)

$390 - $2,250

Firearms - Loaded firearms

$1,490 - $2,990 + criminal referral

Realistic replicas of explosives; inert hand grenades; intact vehicle air bags

$740 - $3,720 + criminal referral

Undeclared and/or improperly packaged firearms; modified starter pistols

$740 - $1,490

Undeclared and/or improperly packaged silencers; mufflers; frames and/or receivers

$390 - $2,250

Fines & Penalty data last updated Sept. 2024

Check TSA.gov for latest updates.

Other Security Violations by Individuals or Persons

Attempt to circumvent a security system, measure, or procedure by the artful concealment of a non-explosive liquid, aerosol, or gel (other than those permitted)

$140 - $300

Entering sterile area without submitting to screening

$740 - $4,480

Failure to allow inspection of airman certificate, authorization, FAA license

$1,490 - $4,480

Fraud and intentional falsification

$3,720 - $8,960 + criminal referral

Improper use of airport access medium

$740 - $4,480

Interference with screening (assault with injury)

$11,300 - $14,950

Interference with screening (assault without injury)

$5,830 - $11,300

Interference with screening (non-physical)

$2,250 - $5,830

Tampering or interfering with, compromising, modifying, attempting to circumvent, or causing a person to tamper or interfere with, compromise, modify or attempt to circumvent any security system, measure, or procedure. Includes the artful concealment of prohibited items (except for those prohibited items covered above)

Sanction amount based on underlying security requirement.

Fines & Penalty data last updated Sept. 2024

Check TSA.gov for latest updates.

Have questions?

AskTSA, answering your questions 365 days a year; live assistance is available from 8 am – 6 pm (ET).

• Twitter: @AskTSA

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• Apple Business Chat: AskTSA

• Text Message: Text "Travel" to AskTSA (275-872)

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Getting Around the USA

Plan your seamless travel experience in the USA! Find comprehensive guides on all transportation options - flights, trains, cars, and more.

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