At US Airports, TSA CT Scanners may Force You to Check in Carry-on Bags

Indian Eagle — Wed, 23 Sep 2026 21:15:09 +0000

You may end up checking in your carry-on bags for international flights departing from US airports. The new TSA CT scanners, which are rolling out across the US for nearly $800 million, may send overstuffed and/or oversized carry-on bags back to airline check-in counters. Since not all carry-on items go through 3D CT scanners, passengers should either leave them behind or check in them with the airline.

TSA Security Screening: CT Scanners vs Old X-ray Machines

Nearly 300 airports in the US have installed 1200 CT scanners and replaced the old X-ray machines from TSA security lanes, as of mid-2026. Daniel Velez, a TSA spokesperson in Florida, confirmed that not all carry-on bags fit through the new advanced scanners (Computed tomography), because the tunnel opening is smaller than opening of the previous machines.

The rollout of TSA’s new CT scanners is a significant upgrade to US airport security and aviation safety. Unlike traditional luggage X-ray machines, CT scanners provide fool-proof screening of items within carry-on bags. Airport security checkpoints with the new TSA scanner don’t require you to unbag 3:1:1 liquids, laptops and other electronic devices. This sort of convenience was long overdue for passengers who arrive late for a flight or get stuck in a long line.

The only disadvantage of 3D luggage scanners at the US airports is their smaller opening, 24.5 inches (width) by 16.5 inches (height). It nearly blocks the tunnel opening for bulky carry-on items, oversized cabin bags, and bags with bulging outer compartments, requiring them to be checked. Computed Tomography scanners can accommodate and screen cabin luggage with standard dimensions (22 x 15 x 9 inches) for international flights.

PC: AI-generated for illustration purpose only

International Airlines’ Carry-on Luggage Dimensions

Knowing airlines’ cabin baggage sizes for international passengers helps avoid last-minute hassles, given airports and airlines’ growing reliance on automated bag sizer and digital scanners for carry-ons. These days, wheels and handles strictly count towards bag sizes. Gate agents are flagging cabin luggage whose wheels, pockets, and/or handles exceed the acceptable size limits.

Air Canada: 21.5 x 15.7 x 9 inches
Air France: 46.5 inches (L+W+H)
Air India: 21 x 15 x 7 inches
Air New Zealand: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
British Airways: 22 × 18 × 10 inches
KLM: 21.5 x 13.5 x 10 inches
Lufthansa: 21.7 x 15.7 x 9
Korean Air: 21.7 x 15.7 x 7.9
Philippines Airlines: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Virgin Atlantic: 22 x 14 x 9 inches
Thai Airways: 22 x 18 x 10
Singapore Airlines: 45.3 inches (L+W+H)
Emirates: 21.65 x 14.96 x 8.66 inches

What if Your Carry-on Bag does not Fit a TSA CT Scanner

According to the TSA guidelines, standby officers may offer to inspect your bag manually, or redirect you to the lane where an older X-ray machine is still operating. In the worst case, you have no choice other than checking it in at an additional cost, as per the airline’s paid checked baggage fees depending on your travel class, fare type, and route. The third or the last option has become a common incidence at the CT-equipped TSA checkpoints, according to several reports.

Also, heading back to the airline counter and going through the baggage check-in process may eat into your boarding time.

Major US Airports with TSA’s 3D CT scanners

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport, ATL
Boston Logan Airport, BOS
Chicago O’Hare Airport, ORD
Dallas Fort Worth Airport, DFW
Los Angeles Airport, LAX
New York JFK Airport
Newark Liberty Airport, EWR
Washington Dulles Airport, IAD
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, PHX
Indianapolis Airport, IND
Detroit Metropolitan Airport, DTW
Miami International Airport, MIA
Seattle Tacoma Airport, SEA
Raleigh-Durham Airport, RDU
Charlotte Douglas Airport, CLT
San Francisco Airport, SFO
Philadelphia Airport, PHL

How TSA’s New CT Scanners Work

3D CT scanners are designed with a comparatively small tunnel mouth to deliver optimal performance, said Daniel Velez, a TSA spokesperson. They leverage advanced imaging technology to detect the shape and fathom the density of items packed in carry-ons, enabling TSA officers to see through the items. Unlike the older X-ray machines, this newer technology generates hundreds of images from different angles to project rotating 3D models of cabin bags’ content on the security officer’s screen. Some of the benefits of using CT scanners in TSA security lanes:

Threat detection with greater accuracy
Faster security screening process
No removal of fluids and electronic items
Reduced physical inspection of carry-ons
Reduced hassles and frustration to travelers

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