Ex-flight attendant warns not to pack these items in your carry-on: ‘Risking confiscation, fines or worse'

New York Post

12-06-2025

Jet-setting with these things is just not allowed in the clouds.
To avoid the frustration of confiscation at the airport, an experienced cabin crew expert is warning frequent flyers against packing these peculiar possessions in their bags.
'As a former flight attendant, I've seen it all at 38,000 feet,' Barbiebac La Azafata, 32, a travel influencer, from Spain, told What's The Jam. 'But nothing prepared me for the day a man casually opened a plastic supermarket bag, full of US dollars, and asked if it was ok to keep it there.'
6 Barbiebac La Azafata, an ex-flight attendant, has virally revealed the wildest things that are banned on planes.
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The cyber siren, who boasts over 4.9 million social media followers, says hitting the friendly skies with loads of dough is an absolute no-go.
'I'll never forget it — this wasn't some discreet envelope or a money belt,' continued La Azafata. 'It was a wide-open, crinkly bag, filled with what looked like $20,000 in cash.'
'No declaration or security alert,' she ranted, 'just bills floating around with a neck pillow on top.'
'What most people don't realize is that there's a $10,000 limit, or equivalent in other currency, when flying internationally,' the in-flight insider revealed. 'If you're carrying more, you have to declare it.'
'Otherwise, you're risking confiscation, fines or worse.'
6 The former air hostess warns that attempting to fly with wads of undeclared cash could result in trouble for the passenger.
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And a sack full of money isn't the only funny item on the no-fly list.
From apples to fireworks, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), alongside other federal powers that be, have placed travel bans and limitations on specific goods for the safety of domestic and international trippers.
Still, some of the forbidden effects have left folks feeling like the governmental authorities are straight tripping.
6 La Azafata reminded travelers that TSA agents will likely discard any liquid toiletry that exceeds 3.4 fluid ounces.
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'I once saw a woman burst into tears because she had to throw away a luxury face cream she'd just bought,' La Azafata recalled of a despondent sightseer, who couldn't see the value in trashing her valuable beauty products before takeoff.
'It was in a 150ml (5-ounce) container, even though it was half empty,' said La Azafata. '[But] airport security doesn't care how much product is left.'
'If the bottle says over 100ml (3.4 ounces), it goes straight in the bin,' she confirmed.
Plane passengers should also forgo packing their most cherished technology necessities, too, according to the pro.
6 La Azafata says flight attendants are skilled in handling fires caused by lithium batteries in digital devices.
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'The average passenger boards a plane with six lithium battery devices,' La Azafata noted. 'That includes phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, even wireless earbuds.'
'Lithium batteries are small, but they can catch fire easily, especially if damaged or overheated,' she added. 'In fact, they're now the leading cause of fires onboard.'
The TSA has even barred portable chargers and power banks that use lithium batteries in checked bags, per a new advisory from the Federal Aviation Administration.
La Azafata claims she and her fellow ex-coworkers are well-versed in extinguishing the flames of a defective device. However, she says the little troublemakers should be left behind by vacationers.
'As crew, we're trained to handle it, we have fire gloves, containment bags, the works,' said the skyway savant. 'But, honestly, no one wants to see smoke midair.'
6 In addition to cash, creams and certain electronics, La Azafata says travelings with knives is typically off-limits in the friendly skies.
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Lastly, but certainly not the least egregious no-no when it comes to carry-ons, are knives.
'I get it, you're in Geneva and you spot a beautiful Swiss Army knife and you think, perfect souvenir,' La Azafata said. 'But I've watched passengers get those exact knives confiscated at the security checkpoint and it's brutal.'
'If the blade is over 6cm, it's banned in hand luggage, full stop,' she asserted. 'If you're going to buy one, put it in your checked bag, or prepare to say goodbye at the gate.'
6 La Azafata encourages plane passenger to do their research well before boarding.
Jam Press/@barbiebac.ok
The mile-high know-it-all recommends that air commuters double check an airline's policies before loading up their luggage with vetoed must-haves.
'Some passengers think once they're past security, they're good to go, but not quite,' La Azafata advised. 'Airlines can ban items even if security allows them.'
'A ball, for example, might pass the scanner, but if it's inflated, the cabin crew can take it away,' she said. 'It could expand and pop midair, which isn't dangerous, but it's definitely disruptive.
'Check your airline's website before flying,' urged La Azafata. 'It's all there, and it could save you from a very expensive mistake.'