Flying with a firearm: every US airline’s rules, verified

Every rule verified against official sources · Last updated 2026-07-08

Checked-firearm rules for all 11 major US carriers, taken from each airline’s own policy page and TSA.gov — with the official link for every claim, so you can show the agent their employer’s own page.

Policies change without notice — confirm with your airline before you fly. Full disclaimer at the end of this page.

The baseline

Four rules that fly everywhere

Declare it

Tell the airline at the ticket counter that you're checking a firearm — every trip, every time.

Unloaded

The firearm travels unloaded, as checked baggage only. Never in the cabin.

Locked hard case

Hard-sided and locked, and only you hold the key or combination.

Ammo boxed

Checked bags only, in a proper ammo box. TSA sets no weight cap — most airlines cap it at 11 lb.

These are TSA’s rules — they apply at every airline, and each carrier adds its own on top. Read the full TSA baseline ↗ · last verified 2026-07-08.

Your airline

Every major US airline’s checked-firearm rules, from the airline’s own policy — with the official link to show the agent.

Select your airline

Compare carriers

Airline policies at a glance

Airline	Declaration	Case	Ammo limit	Firearm fee	Policy
Alaska Airlines	At check-in; 18+	Locked hard-sided; cable locks refused	50 lb domestic / 11 lb intl (by flight no.)	None beyond bag fees	View policy
Allegiant Air	At check-in	Locked hard-sided	11 lb, boxed	Sporting-equipment bag fees	View policy
American Airlines	At check-in; 18+	Locked hard-sided; rifle cases locked at each end	11 lb, boxed; may share gun case	None beyond bag fees	View policy
Breeze Airways	At counter; signed tag per firearm; 18+	Locked hard-sided, firearm-specific	11 lb, boxed, packed separately from firearm	None beyond bag fees	View policy
Delta Air Lines	At counter; signed unloaded declaration; 18+	Locked hard-sided	11 lb incl. container, boxed	Excess fee for 2nd+ gun case	View policy
Frontier Airlines	At ticket counter; 18+	Locked hard-sided	11 lb, boxed; may share gun case	Not specified	View policy
Hawaiian Airlines	Signed tag at baggage counter; 18+	Locked hard-sided; cable locks rejected	50 lb domestic / 11 lb intl (by flight no.)	None beyond bag fees	View policy
JetBlue	Signed unloaded declaration tag; 18+	Locked hard-sided; all lock points locked	11 lb, boxed; same bag OK, own container	None; $65 pistol case sold at counter	View policy
Southwest Airlines	Verbal at ticket counter; no curbside	Locked hard-sided	11 lb incl. container; may share gun case	Not specified	View policy
Sun Country Airlines	Signed form placed inside case	Locked hard-sided	11 lb; may share gun case	Standard/excess bag fees	View policy
United Airlines	At counter; signed declaration form; 18+	Locked hard case; you keep the key	11 lb, boxed; may share gun case	None beyond bag fees	View policy

Swipe the table sideways — the airline column stays put.

Table entries are abbreviations — the sections below carry the full rules. Alaska and Hawaiian publish identical checked-firearm rules. Spirit Airlines ceased operations in May 2026; its final published policy is preserved at the bottom of this page for reference.

Airline by airline

Alaska Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08

Alaska and Hawaiian publish identical checked-firearm rules; Hawaiian's page carries Alaska Airlines branding.

View Alaska Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmFirearms are declared at the baggage counter during bag check; the airline has the passenger read and sign a special tag for every bag or container holding firearms, which attests the weapons are unloaded and that guns and ammunition are packed correctly.

Firearm conditionGuns travel only as checked baggage and must be unloaded; the traveler has to be at least 18 years old, and the signed declaration tag affirms each weapon's unloaded status.

Case requirementA locked hard-sided case that completely blocks accidental or unauthorized access is required; some cases need multiple locks, and cable-style or long locks that leave any access are refused. The passenger alone keeps the key or combination, though TSA may request it during screening.

AmmunitionBanned from carry-ons; checked allowance depends on flight number - 50 lb domestic and 11 lb international on flights 001-1999 and 2000-2999, while flights 3300-3499 allow only 11 lb both domestic and international. Rounds go in original manufacturer boxes or purpose-built ammo containers (wood, fiber, plastic, or metal) sturdy enough to prevent crushing or discharge; loose rounds in a box, bucket, or manufacturer packaging are refused, and projectiles cannot exceed 11/16 inch in diameter. Ammo may be checked with or apart from the gun, but the locked gun case itself must not hold loose ammunition. Shell casings follow the same packing criteria as live rounds.

MagazinesMagazines, clips, and other parts such as bolts and firing pins are prohibited in carry-ons but allowed in checked bags; ammunition left inside a magazine or clip is only conditionally accepted, when that magazine is enclosed in its own secure casing inside the larger crush-proof gun case.

FeesNo separate firearm fee is stated: one rifle, shotgun, or pistol case (with listed accessories such as scopes, noise suppressors, one shooting mat, or small tools) is eligible to count toward the regular checked-bag allowance, and standard excess-piece charges apply beyond that.

International & codeshareInternationally, guns are accepted only to American Samoa (territorial permit required; these flights run under international procedures), Canada, and Mexico - handguns are barred to or through both countries. For Canada, a U.S. Customs-issued declaration obtained before departing the U.S. is needed so the guns can later re-enter the country, with the Canadian Firearms Program listed as the contact for guidance; Mexico requires a consulate-issued permit for any firearm, and travelers bear responsibility for all permits on routes among the U.S., American Samoa, Canada, and Mexico. Every other international destination refuses firearms and ammunition, aside from possible military-orders exceptions via reservations. On itineraries involving another airline, the passenger must verify that carrier's own acceptance rules; when connecting to another carrier bound for an international destination, the gun and ammo must be reclaimed at the final Alaska Airlines stop and re-checked with the receiving airline, and domestic interline connections may require the same.

Carrier-specific detailsMinimum age 18; no limit on the number or mix of firearm types per case as long as each is packed properly; ammunition weight cap drops to 11 lb even domestically on flights 3300-3499; projectiles capped at 11/16 inch (dime-sized); BB guns, pellet guns, and starter pistols get the same handling as firearms (unloaded, locked hard-sided container, declared at check-in), while the firearms list marks flare guns, gun lighters, gun powder, stun guns, and Tasers 'No' for both carry-on and checked baggage; compressed-air guns and paintball markers check only with the air cylinder detached; rifle or shotgun cases are released at the baggage office against photo ID or claim checks; the gun case cannot contain bear spray, primers, black powder, or flammable liquids.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Ammunition left inside a magazine or clip is described with discretionary language (the airline 'may accept' it when enclosed in its own secure casing), so acceptance is not guaranteed.
For connections to another carrier with a domestic destination, the page says passengers 'may need to' reclaim and re-check firearms, without stating when that applies.
The ammunition weight table is keyed to flight-number ranges (001-1999, 2000-2999, 3300-3499) without explaining which operating carriers those ranges represent, and it does not explicitly say the limit is per passenger. Each range's domestic and international limits are stated only as table cells (range, then domestic, then international), so the row pairings derive from the table's structure rather than from prose.
The page never uses the term 'codeshare'; it only addresses cases where the journey involves another air carrier, plus connections, so codeshare-specific handling is not spelled out.
The page does not address whether the locked gun case may travel inside a larger unlocked bag, nor curbside check-in restrictions.

Source: Alaska Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Allegiant Air

Last verified 2026-07-08 View Allegiant Air’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmEvery passenger checking a firearm is required to declare it to the airline when they check in; no specific location or paperwork procedure is described.

Firearm conditionThe gun must be unloaded; the Contract of Carriage frames the rule as a refusal to carry assembled firearms and ammunition except under these guidelines, and rifle scopes may travel in either carry-on or checked bags.

Case requirementA locked hard-sided container sturdy enough to survive ordinary checked-bag handling without the gun being damaged; the key or combination should stay solely with the passenger who checked the bag.

AmmunitionChecked bags only, capped at 11 pounds gross per passenger; must be packed in the maker's original box or an equivalent container purpose-built for ammunition (fiber, wood, or metal per the Contract of Carriage) that keeps cartridges separated; the Restricted Articles PDF limits acceptance to cartridges up to 19.1 mm (0.75 caliber) or shotgun shells; oversize/overweight rules still apply.

MagazinesMagazines, clips, bolts, firing pins and similar firearm parts are barred from the cabin but permitted in checked luggage; the Contract of Carriage's ammunition-packaging clause also references removed handgun magazines within its approved-container requirement.

FeesNo firearm-specific charge is stated; firearms appear on the sporting-equipment list, where every piece counts as a checked bag with the normal per-person, per-bag, per-segment baggage fees, plus potential oversize/overweight surcharges.

International & codeshareFirearm carriage is offered only on domestic itineraries inside the United States; codeshare handling is not discussed on any fetched page.

Carrier-specific detailsChecking a firearm requires being at least 18; there is no cap on how many guns or accessories one locked case may hold; replica and toy guns go checked-only; rifle scopes are allowed in the cabin; the linked authoritative text is Contract of Carriage Article 60.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (4)

Neither the FAQ, the Contract of Carriage, nor the Restricted Articles PDF says whether ammunition may ride inside the same locked hard-sided case as the firearm.
Contract of Carriage ammunition clause ends '...including removed handgun magazine. This carrier must provide sufficient cartridge separation.' — wording is garbled ('This carrier' appears to mean the container), so the exact requirement for ammo in removed magazines is unclear.
Acceptance is stated for 'domestic flights (within the U.S. only)'; nothing addresses Allegiant's occasional international charter operations or any codeshare scenario.
Declaration is required 'at time of check-in' but no page specifies the venue or mechanics (ticket counter vs curbside, tagging, or signed declaration form).

Source: Allegiant Air firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

American Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08 View American Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmFirearms and ammunition (pellet and BB guns included) go only in checked bags on U.S. itineraries; the passenger must check the bag with an agent at check-in and state at that time that it holds firearms/ammunition. Traveler must be over 18.

Firearm conditionThe gun has to be unloaded; no additional condition language (such as a signed unloaded form) appears on the page.

Case requirementA locked hard-sided container is required with the weapon rendered completely unreachable, and rifle cases need a lock at each end; the page never says who keeps the key or combination.

AmmunitionCap of 11 lb (5 kg) per container or passenger, packed securely in fiber, wood, or metal boxes or packaging built for small ammo quantities; rounds may sit in a fully enclosed magazine/clip; ammo may travel inside the same locked hard case as the gun, but loose unboxed rounds are refused.

MagazinesMagazines/clips may carry rounds only when the ammunition is fully enclosed within them; loose ammunition, magazines or clips, and firearms are all barred on Port of Spain routes.

FeesNo firearm-specific charge is stated; bag charges plus oversize/overweight charges can apply to the gun case.

International & codesharePossession laws differ by state and country, so travelers must verify destination rules and contact Reservations for international requirements; when another airline operates any segment, that carrier must be contacted directly, and most airlines need notice at least 72 hours before travel.

Carrier-specific detailsPellet and BB guns fall under the firearm rules; minimum age over 18; rifle cases need locks on both ends; unlimited number of items allowed inside one rifle/shotgun/pistol case; loose ammo, magazines/clips, and firearms are refused to/from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (POS); a long law-enforcement flying-armed section (NLETS procedure) also appears on the page.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Page never states who retains the key or combination to the locked case; AA is silent where TSA guidance addresses this.
The 72-hour advance-notice sentence ('You must notify most airlines at least 72 hours before your travel date') sits in the other-airline paragraph, so it is unclear whether AA itself requires advance notice on AA-operated flights.
Ammunition limit is phrased 'per container or customer', leaving unclear whether 11 lb is a per-box cap or a per-passenger total.
Requirements are framed 'Within the U.S.'; international specifics are deferred to Reservations and not listed on the page.
Age wording 'over 18 years old' leaves unclear whether a passenger exactly 18 qualifies.

Source: American Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Breeze Airways

Last verified 2026-07-08 View Breeze Airways’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmDeclare the firearm and ammunition at the ticket counter while checking bags, then fill out and sign a Firearms Declaration tag for every firearm checked; the tag is placed inside the bag beside the gun case, or inside the case next to the firearm when the case is checked by itself.

Firearm conditionFirearms must be unloaded for carriage, and each one has to fit securely inside its case.

Case requirementLocked hard-sided case built specifically for sporting guns or firearms, with the guest alone holding the key or combination; every point on the case meant to take a lock must be locked, locks must actually keep the case shut, and long-shackle or cable locks are refused.

AmmunitionAccepted in checked bags only and must be packed apart from any firearm, in the manufacturer's original box or a fiber, wood, or metal container purpose-made for ammo; small-arms cartridges up to 19.1 mm for rifle/pistol plus shotgun shells of any size; limit 11 lbs per guest, personal use only, and the person checking it must be 18+ and the one traveling with it.

MagazinesEmpty clips and magazines must be securely packaged; the article only addresses empty ones and says nothing explicit about loaded magazines.

FeesNo firearm-specific charge is listed; regular checked-bag fees apply and excess, overweight, or oversize charges can also hit. Up to two gun cases are allowed, each capped at 50 lbs and 62 linear inches.

International & codeshareFirearm carriage is restricted to travel within the domestic United States; the page contains no codeshare provisions.

Carrier-specific detailsMinimum age 18 to check a firearm or ammunition and the checker must be the traveling guest; limit of two gun cases (each within 50 lbs/62 linear inches) accepted as checked bags only; compressed-air and pellet guns follow all firearm rules while paintball guns do not and may go in soft or hard cases; compressed gas cylinders are banned entirely; retrieval is at the normal bag-claim carousel; TSA agents make the final call on firearms and ammo.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (3)

Ammunition 'must be packed separately from any firearms' clearly bars ammo inside the firearm case, but the page does not say whether it may travel in the same checked bag outside the gun case or must be in a different bag.
Magazines/clips are addressed only as 'empty' items needing secure packaging; the page never explicitly prohibits loaded magazines, it is implied by the empty-only wording and the separate-packing rule for ammunition.
The page allows up to two gun cases but does not state whether each case is charged as its own checked bag under the generic 'checked bag fees apply' line.

Source: Breeze Airways firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Delta Air Lines

Last verified 2026-07-08 View Delta Air Lines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmAt check-in the passenger must tell the Delta agent a firearm is in the bag and sign a written statement attesting it is unloaded; if a security checkpoint sits before the Delta counter, the firearm must also be disclosed to security staff there.

Firearm conditionThe gun must be handed over unloaded, and Delta additionally requires the passenger to execute a signed unloaded-firearms declaration at check-in.

Case requirementAcceptable containers are a locked hard-sided manufacturer case built for that gun, a locked hard-sided gun case, or locked hard-sided luggage; every lockable point on the case must actually be locked so the gun cannot be reached. Delta's page does not say who holds the key or combination (TSA rules govern that point).

AmmunitionUp to 11 lb / 5 kg of small-arms ammunition per person, with the container's weight counted toward the limit; it must ride in the maker's original box or be packed securely in boxes of fiber, wood, plastic, or metal. Delta's permitted case-contents lists include ammunition alongside the guns, implying same-case packing is allowed generally, but on departures from the UK or South Africa the ammo and firearm must travel in separate cases. Gunpowder and explosive or incendiary projectiles are banned.

MagazinesNot specified by carrier; TSA rules apply

FeesNo special firearm fee is stated; however, checking a second (or additional) gun case triggers an excess baggage charge.

International & codeshareCountry-specific limits apply: no firearms or ammo at all on Delta flights to Morocco; a UK permit is mandatory for firearms bound for the United Kingdom, and on departures from the UK ammo must travel in a locked box or case apart from the gun; travelers to or through South Korea must declare guns and ammo at check-in/bag drop; departures from South Africa require weapons and ammo kept in separate cases; departures from Brussels bar checked weapons of any kind, even antique, sporting, hunting, or toy rifles. Codeshare/partner-carrier handling is not addressed on the page.

Carrier-specific detailsChecker must be at least 18. A handgun locked in a hard case may be nested inside an unlocked soft bag if a Conditional Acceptance Tag is applied. On arrival, checked guns are released only at the Baggage Service Office, with ID required. Case limits: one hard case may hold up to four rifles/shotguns plus shooting materials and tools, or up to five handguns with one scope and tools; a pistol case may include scopes, suppressors, and a small tool kit. BB guns, paintball markers, and air guns are treated the same as firearms, as are frames, receivers, and silencers. The passenger bears responsibility for complying with all federal, state, and local firearms law.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (4)

Delta does not state who retains the case key/combination (TSA regulation covers this)
Whether the gun case counts toward the standard checked-bag allowance is not stated
Same-case ammo packing implied allowed domestically via case-contents lists but not stated as an explicit rule; separate cases are mandated when departing the UK or South Africa
Magazines/clips, curbside check-in, and codeshare handling are not addressed

Source: Delta Air Lines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Frontier Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08 View Frontier Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmDuring check-in the passenger must declare to the customer service agent at the ticket counter that a firearm is inside the checked bag; the article describes only this declaration and mentions no special form or tag.

Firearm conditionEvery firearm has to be unloaded when traveling; guns are permitted only in checked baggage on U.S. domestic flights and never in the cabin. Failing to comply can bring criminal charges and civil fines up to $10,000 per violation.

Case requirementThe gun must ride in a hard-sided container, suitcase, or dedicated gun case that is locked, and the lock must be openable only by the passenger; if TSA needs inside, the traveler supplies the key or combination.

AmmunitionEach passenger may check up to 11 lb of ammunition. It has to be packed in the maker's original box, or a fiber (e.g., cardboard), wood, or metal box, or comparable purpose-built packaging. Properly packaged ammo may share the same locked hard-sided case as the gun. Black powder and percussion caps for black-powder guns are banned from both checked and carry-on bags.

MagazinesLoaded magazines or clips are acceptable when the open end is covered or sealed (duct tape suffices) or the magazine is carried inside a pouch, holder, holster, or lanyard.

FeesNot specified by carrier; TSA rules apply

International & codeshareFrontier bars both guns and ammunition from all international itineraries, including inside checked luggage; carriage is limited to domestic U.S. flights. No codeshare-specific rules are stated.

Carrier-specific detailsTraveler must be at least 18 to check firearms, ammunition, or gun parts; firearm parts are explicitly covered by the same checked-bag allowance; black powder and percussion caps are wholly prohibited. Curbside check-in is not addressed.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Article is silent on fees, so it is unclear whether the gun case counts toward standard checked-bag allowance/fees
No mention of a written declaration form or tag — only a declaration to the agent at the ticket counter is described
Curbside/kiosk check-in restrictions not addressed
Codeshare/partner-carrier handling not addressed (Frontier bans firearms on all international flights outright)
Frontier's loaded-magazine packing options (exposed portion covered or sealed, or the magazine in a pouch, holder, holster, or lanyard) are more permissive than the TSA baseline, which requires magazines securely boxed or inside the hard-sided firearm case and treats a loaded magazine as ammunition packaging only when it fully encloses the rounds; TSA rules control at the security checkpoint.

Source: Frontier Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Hawaiian Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08

Hawaiian's firearms page is published under Alaska Airlines branding at a hawaiianairlines.com URL — the two carriers' published rules are identical.

View Hawaiian Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmEvery firearm must be declared at the baggage check counter when bags are checked; the passenger reads and signs a special tag for each bag or case holding a firearm, which attests the weapon is unloaded and that guns and ammunition are packed properly.

Firearm conditionFirearms travel as checked baggage only and must be unloaded; the signed declaration tag certifies unloaded status for each weapon.

Case requirementA locked, hard-sided case that fully blocks accidental or unauthorized access is required; multiple locks can be demanded, and long or cable-style locks that leave the contents reachable are rejected. The passenger alone keeps the key or combination, though TSA can request it during screening.

AmmunitionBarred from carry-on; allowed in checked bags within weight caps tied to flight-number range — 50 lbs domestic / 11 lbs international on flights 001-1999 and 2000-2999, and 11 lbs for both on flights 3300-3499. Rounds must be in original manufacturer packaging or a purpose-built crush-resistant ammo container (wood, fiber, plastic, or metal); loose rounds — whether in a box, bucket, or manufacturer packaging — are refused. Projectiles wider than 11/16 inch (dime-sized) are not accepted. Ammo may be checked together with or apart from the firearm, and shell casings follow the same packing rules as live rounds.

MagazinesMagazines, clips, and other firearm parts are prohibited in carry-ons but allowed in checked bags. A magazine or clip containing ammunition can be accepted when sealed in its own secure enclosure placed inside the larger crush-proof firearm case — wording is permissive, not guaranteed.

FeesNo firearm-specific charge is stated; a properly packed rifle, shotgun, or pistol case (with listed accessories such as scopes, suppressors, a shooting mat, or small tools) can count toward the regular checked-bag allowance, with standard excess-piece charges applying beyond it.

International & codeshareHandguns cannot be carried to or through Canada or Mexico; Mexico requires a consulate-issued permit, and both countries require a U.S. Customs declaration before departure for re-entry. American Samoa flights run under international procedures and a territorial permit is needed for Pago Pago. All other international destinations: firearms and ammunition are refused, with possible exceptions for travelers on military orders via reservations. When connecting to another carrier for an international destination, the passenger must claim the firearm and ammo at the final Alaska Airlines point and re-check with the receiving carrier; domestic interline connections may require the same, and travelers should confirm rules with any other carrier on the itinerary.

Carrier-specific detailsMinimum age 18 to transport a firearm. No cap on the number or mix of firearm types per case as long as each type is packed correctly. Ammo weight ceiling varies by flight-number block. Projectile diameter limit of 11/16 inch. Photo ID or claim checks must be presented at the baggage office to retrieve a shotgun or rifle case. The page is titled and branded as Alaska Airlines policy while served at a hawaiianairlines.com URL (see ambiguities), and it includes a per-item firearms list on which BB guns, pellet guns, and starter pistols carry the same unloaded, locked hard-sided container, and check-in declaration instructions as firearms.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

The page lives on hawaiianairlines.com but is titled and branded Alaska Airlines (post-merger unified content) and its interline instructions reference the 'final Alaska Airlines destination'; any Hawaiian-operated-flight-specific differences are not spelled out.
The ammunition weight table is keyed to flight-number ranges (001-1999, 2000-2999, 3300-3499) without identifying which operating carrier or network each range covers, so the cap applying to Hawaiian interisland or long-haul flights is not explicit. Each range's domestic and international limits are stated only as table cells (range, then domestic, then international), so the row pairings derive from the table's structure rather than from prose.
No neighbor-island/interisland-specific firearm rules are stated anywhere on the page despite Hawaiian's interisland network.
The 11-lb 'International (where permitted)' ammo allowance sits alongside a blanket statement that all international destinations other than American Samoa, Canada, and Mexico refuse firearms; the exact set of permitted international routes is not enumerated.
Magazine/clip acceptance with ammunition inside uses permissive wording ('We may accept'), so acceptance at check-in is not guaranteed.

Source: Hawaiian Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

JetBlue

Last verified 2026-07-08 View JetBlue’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmPassenger declares the firearm at bag check by reading and signing JetBlue's Firearms Unloaded Declaration tag before the container is accepted, and should stay at the ticket counter while TSA screens the case so the lock key can be taken back once it clears.

Firearm conditionFirearms and shooting equipment travel only as checked baggage and must be unloaded; carrying any weapon aboard the aircraft is barred except for on-duty state, municipal, or county law enforcement officers and federal law enforcement officers (on or off duty).

Case requirementA locked hard-sided container built specifically for the firearm is required, held separately from ammunition; only the passenger may keep the key or combination, every designed lock point on the case must carry a lock, and a case that cannot lock is refused.

AmmunitionCapped at 11 lb per passenger and packed in a fiber (e.g. cardboard), wood, or metal box made for small ammunition quantities; the ammo box must be fully distinct from the locked gun case but may ride inside the same checked bag if everything is packed correctly. No ammunition at all, checked or carry-on, on international flights.

MagazinesNot specified by carrier; TSA rules apply

FeesNo firearm-specific handling charge is stated; one piece of shooting equipment counts as one checked bag. Optional: pistol cases may be sold at any ticket counter for a nonrefundable $65 (cash or credit card, limited quantities).

International & codeshareFirearms and ammunition are refused when flying to the EU, UK, Honduras, or Jamaica, excepting credentialed U.S. law enforcement, UN, and country officials authorized by the host government; ammunition is barred on every international flight; passengers must check destination-country rules with CBP, foreign embassies, or consulates. Codeshare or partner-operated flights are not addressed.

Carrier-specific detailsMinimum age 18 to check a firearm; one shooting-equipment item is defined by case limits (rifle case: up to 2 rifles plus a shooting net, noise suppressors, and small tool set; shotgun case: up to 2 shotguns; pistol case: up to 4 pistols); BB, air, and pellet guns and realistic replicas count as shooting equipment under the same rules; passenger remains present during counter screening to reclaim the key.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Codeshare and partner-operated flights are never mentioned; policy scope on interline itineraries is unstated.
Magazines/clips are not addressed separately from ammunition anywhere on the page.
Rifle-case contents list includes 'noise suppressors' as allowed accessories with no further legal/handling conditions stated.
Page says shooting equipment 'will count as a checked bag' but states no fee amounts; standard checked-bag fees are implied, not spelled out.
Declaration is tied to the ticket counter/screening flow; curbside or kiosk check-in for firearms is not addressed.

Source: JetBlue firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Southwest Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08 View Southwest Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmPassenger must verbally tell a Southwest employee at the ticket counter that they intend to check a gun; curbside check-in of firearms is not permitted.

Firearm conditionFirearm has to be unloaded, with the magazine/clip taken out where applicable.

Case requirementHard-sided locked container that withstands normal handling; the case may travel inside a checked bag (outer bag locked or unlocked), but a firearm loose in a locked suitcase is unacceptable and the case must fully secure the gun. Passenger keeps the key or combination; any brand or type of lock, including TSA-approved locks, may be used.

AmmunitionSmall-arms ammunition for personal use in checked bags only, capped at 11 lb per passenger counting the container; must be in cardboard (fiber), wood, metal, or purpose-made small-ammunition packaging and may share the firearm's container. Gunpowder, primers, and percussion caps are banned from both checked and carry-on baggage.

MagazinesMagazine/clip must come out of the gun where applicable, and loose magazines or clips are prohibited in baggage.

FeesNot specified by carrier; TSA rules apply

International & codeshareItineraries involving a partner airline may fall under that partner's differing rules; travelers are responsible for knowing firearm laws of every state, territory, or country they travel to, from, or through.

Carrier-specific detailsBB guns are treated like firearms and need the same locked hard-sided case; curbside firearm check-in is refused; Southwest disclaims liability for misalignment of sights, including telescopic sights; credentialed law-enforcement officers meeting federal requirements may fly armed under specific carry rules; paintballs require leak-proof packaging and get limited release.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Loose magazines and clips are prohibited, but neither article states how magazines must be packed to be acceptable (e.g., whether empty magazines may ride in the locked gun case or need ammunition-style packaging).
Page SEO metadata advertises fee information ('packing requirements, size limits, and fees') but the article body contains no firearm-specific fee statement.
Partner-airline caveat does not name any partner or give an international-route-specific firearm procedure.
Paintballs are 'subject to limited release', a term the page does not define.
No minimum passenger age and no per-case firearm count limit is stated on either page.

Source: Southwest Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Sun Country Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08 View Sun Country Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmThe traveler signs a 'Firearms Unloaded' form attesting the gun is unloaded, personally puts that form inside the gun case while a Sun Country agent watches, and after the airline tags the item presents it to TSA for screening.

Firearm conditionGuns travel as checked baggage only and must be unloaded per federal law; airline staff will not physically handle any firearm.

Case requirementOnly a lockable hard-shell case is accepted, locked at the moment of acceptance with the key or combination staying with the traveler; long-gun cases secured only by a center lock may need extra locks, and the airline supplies none. No outside label may reveal a firearm is inside.

AmmunitionCap of 11 lb of ammo per passenger regardless of round count, packed in factory packaging or comparable boxing that keeps cartridges separated; ammo is allowed inside the same case as the firearm.

MagazinesNot specified by carrier; TSA rules apply

FeesNo firearm-specific charge is stated; each gun case counts against the normal checked-bag allowance and incurs standard excess, oversize, or overweight charges where applicable.

International & codeshareCarrying guns or ammo on international flights is flatly banned; the published rules cover US domestic travel only. Codeshare or partner-carrier handling is not addressed.

Carrier-specific detailsPer-case cap of 3 rifles/shotguns or 5 handguns (plus shooting mat, noise suppressors, tools) with no limit on case count; travelers under 18 need proof of firearm safety training; pellet and BB guns are handled exactly like real firearms; paintball markers are exempt from gun-case rules but must be declared at the ticket counter; staff never handle firearms.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Exact declaration location and timing are not stated for firearms (ticket counter vs elsewhere); a Sun Country representative must witness the form placement, and only the paintball-gun rule explicitly names the ticket counter.
Fee sentence is garbled: 'Excess bag charges will apply to each gun case if it is in additional/excess of the standard bag requirements and/or oversize/overweight' — read as standard bag pricing plus oversize/overweight, but wording is unclear.
Magazines/clips are never addressed separately from ammunition packaging.
The line 'The information shown below pertains to travel within the United States only' sits mid-answer, so the precise scope of 'below' is loose, though the whole firearms section is plainly domestic-only.
Noise suppressors are listed as permitted case contents with no further caveats or legal conditions from the carrier.

Source: Sun Country Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

United Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08 View United Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmCheck-in must happen at the airport lobby ticket counter (online, app, kiosk, and curbside check-in are all barred when carrying a firearm); the passenger tells the agent a firearm is in the checked bag, then signs and dates a Firearm Declaration form the agent supplies. Bringing one in a carry-on bag or checking one undeclared can bring civil fines or penalties.

Firearm conditionThe firearm must be unloaded; the signed and dated declaration form serves as the passenger's confirmation of this. Any loaded magazines or clips have to come out of the weapon.

Case requirementA hard-sided case with a lock is mandatory, and it must already be locked when United takes possession; the passenger keeps the key or combination at all times. The locked hard case may ride inside an unlocked soft bag if secure. A TSA-recognized lock is optional but suggested to speed screening.

AmmunitionOnly declared small-arms ammunition in checked bags, capped at 11 lb (5 kg). It must sit in original manufacturer packaging or fiber, wood, or metal packaging built for small ammunition quantities, cushioned against shock and shifting. It may share the firearm's locked hard case or travel separately. Loose rounds, mixed quantities in one package, explosive or incendiary projectiles, and black powder for black-powder weapons are all refused.

MagazinesLoaded magazines and clips must be removed from the firearm and secured in packaging made for small ammunition amounts, with the packaging covering any exposed ends. Whether loaded or empty, magazines and clips must be boxed or kept in a locked hard-sided case. They may only hold ammunition if they fully enclose it.

FeesNo firearm-specific charge is stated; regular checked-bag fees apply to every checked item, and oversize, overweight, or extra-piece charges can also apply.

International & codeshareRules differ by country and U.S. territory; the passenger bears responsibility for asking the relevant consulates or embassies about permits, licenses, and packing requirements, and destination rules can limit piece counts and weights. United will not carry firearms to Bahrain, Cuba, the Federated States of Micronesia, Israel, Jordan, the Marshall Islands, Nigeria, Palau, the Philippines, the UAE, or Vietnam. Codeshare or partner-operated flights are not addressed.

Carrier-specific detailsMinimum age 18 to check a firearm. Up to 5 firearms fit in one case, and roughly 9 total bags or cases can usually be checked. United disclaims liability for firearm damage and any obligation to provide guidance on firearms regulations. Lost or delayed firearms are excluded from bag delivery (except where local rules require delivery of all mishandled bags): the passenger waits or returns to the airport, though a tour group's designated representative may collect it when the passenger is stuck in a remote location.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (6)

Codeshare and partner-operated flights are never mentioned; policy applicability on non-United metal is unstated.
The unloaded requirement appears only through the declaration form's wording (signing confirms the firearm isn't loaded); no standalone packing instruction says 'unload the firearm'.
'You can typically check up to 9 bags or cases' - the qualifier 'typically' is undefined and the conditions that change the limit are not given.
The 11 lb (5 kg) ammunition cap is not explicitly labeled per passenger versus per package/case.
BB guns, air guns, pellet guns, starter pistols, and firearm parts are not addressed on this page.
The page says some international locations restrict item counts and weights but does not enumerate them, deferring to consulates/embassies.

Source: United Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Spirit Airlines

Last verified 2026-07-08

Spirit Airlines began winding down all operations on May 2, 2026. This entry preserves the carrier's final published policy (Contract of Carriage dated April 30, 2026) as a historical record.

View Spirit Airlines’s official policy ↗

Declaring your firearmAt bag check the guest must state the firearm is unloaded and sign a Firearms Declaration tag, with a separate tag completed for every firearm checked; the signed tag is then placed inside the baggage — next to the locked container if it rides inside another bag, inside a rifle/shotgun case, or beside the gun in a locked hard-sided suitcase.

Firearm conditionFirearm must be unloaded and the guest must formally attest to that on the declaration tag; firearms travel as checked baggage only (cabin carriage barred) and no limited liability release is required for them.

Case requirementLocked hard-sided container required, with the key or combination kept solely by the traveling guest; the locked case may be packed inside another piece of luggage.

AmmunitionSmall-arms cartridges for personal use only — rifle/pistol rounds up to 19.1 mm and shotgun shells of any size — capped at 11 lb per guest, packed securely in boxes or packaging built for small ammo quantities; it may share the firearm's hard-sided case or travel in a separate checked bag. Checking guest must be 18 or older and not on an international flight.

MagazinesClips and magazines must be securely boxed, the same as loose ammunition.

FeesNot specified by carrier; TSA rules apply

International & codeshareDomestic itineraries only: guests headed to an international destination may not check firearms, and ammunition is likewise barred on international flights. Codeshare scenarios are never addressed anywhere in the contract (zero mentions).

Carrier-specific detailsMinimum age 18 for both firearms and ammunition; one declaration tag per firearm; the signed tag goes inside the bag or case; paintball guns are expressly excluded from firearm treatment and may travel in unlocked soft or hard-sided bags, though their compressed-gas cylinders are banned entirely. Note the carrier began winding down all operations May 2, 2026, so this policy is historical.

Gray areas in this carrier’s published policy (5)

Spirit's official sites (spirit.com and customersupport.spirit.com) redirect to www.spiritrestructuring.com, which states Spirit started an orderly wind-down of all operations on May 2, 2026 with all flights cancelled — the firearms policy is therefore historical, though the Contract of Carriage remains published dated April 30, 2026.
The customer-facing help-center firearms article is unreachable: every customersupport.spirit.com path (including /hc/en-us and the Zendesk search API) returns 301 to spiritrestructuring.com, so the Contract of Carriage PDF is the only reachable primary source.
The CoC does not say where the declaration takes place (ticket counter vs curbside/kiosk); no curbside-check-in language appears anywhere in the document.
No firearm-specific fee is mentioned; whether standard/oversize checked-bag charges applied to gun cases cannot be confirmed because spirit.com fee pages (/optional-services, /restricted-items) now return only a ~3.9KB client-side app shell with no content.
Per-case or per-guest firearm count limits are not stated (multiple firearms are contemplated via per-firearm tags, but no maximum is given).

Source: Spirit Airlines firearms policy, last verified 2026-07-08.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I fly with ammunition in checked baggage?

Yes. TSA allows small-arms ammunition — up to .75 caliber, plus shotgun shells of any gauge — in checked baggage only, packed in a fiber, wood, plastic, or metal box designed for ammunition, and declared to the airline. TSA itself sets no weight cap and defers quantity limits to the airlines: most carriers cap ammunition at 11 lb per passenger, while Alaska and Hawaiian allow up to 50 lb on domestic mainline flights (11 lb international). Ammunition is never allowed in a carry-on.

Do I need a TSA-approved lock on my gun case?

No. TSA's published rule is that any brand or style of lock may be used on a firearm case — TSA-recognized locks are acceptable but not required. Only you should hold the key or combination; the sole exception is if TSA staff ask for it to inspect the case. Note that some carriers restrict lock styles: Alaska and Hawaiian refuse cable-style locks, and Breeze bars long-shackle and cable locks.

What happens if I forget to declare my firearm?

Declaration to the airline is required every single time you check a firearm — it is a TSA requirement on top of each airline's own procedure. A firearm that shows up at a security checkpoint (declared or not) is a federal civil-enforcement matter: TSA warns that an unloaded gun with accessible ammunition draws the same civil penalty as a loaded one. Frontier's page is blunter still, citing potential criminal charges and civil fines up to $10,000 per violation. If you realize you forgot before security, go back to the ticket counter.

Can ammunition travel in the same case as the firearm?

Usually, yes. TSA permits properly boxed ammunition inside the same locked hard-sided case as the unloaded firearm, and most carriers follow that: American, Frontier, Southwest, Sun Country, Spirit (historical), and United all allow same-case packing. Breeze is the standout exception — it requires ammunition packed separately from any firearm. On Delta, departures from the UK or South Africa require the ammunition and firearm in separate cases.

How old do I have to be to check a firearm?

Most carriers publish an 18+ minimum: Alaska, American, Breeze, Delta, Frontier, Hawaiian, JetBlue, Sun Country, and United all state one. Sun Country is the only carrier in this dataset with a published exception — travelers under 18 may check a firearm with proof of firearm safety training. TSA's own firearms page sets no age rule.

Do airlines charge a fee to check a firearm?

Generally there is no firearm-specific fee — the gun case is treated as a normal checked bag, so standard checked-bag, oversize, and overweight fees apply. Two published wrinkles: Delta charges an excess fee when you check more than one gun case, and JetBlue sells a locking pistol case at the counter for $65 if you arrive without one. Some carriers (Frontier, Southwest) simply don't address fees on their firearms pages.

Are magazines and clips allowed?

Checked baggage only — TSA bars magazines and clips from the cabin whether loaded or empty. They must be securely boxed or ride inside the locked hard-sided case with the unloaded firearm, and a loaded magazine counts as ammunition packaging only if it fully encloses the rounds. Carriers add their own wrinkles: Southwest prohibits loose magazines outright, Breeze wants empty clips securely packaged, and Frontier accepts loaded magazines only with the exposed end covered or the magazine in a pouch or holder. A few carriers (Delta, JetBlue, Sun Country) don't address magazines at all — TSA rules govern there.

Please readAirline and TSA policies change without notice, and this page may not reflect the most recent updates. The information here is provided for general reference only and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements directly with your airline and at TSA.gov before you travel, and comply with all federal, state, local, and international laws that apply to your route.

Built from official airline policy pages and TSA.gov · Data compiled 2026-07-08