by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 1:50 PM ET, Fri September 19, 2025
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is telling airlines to readjust emergency evacuation procedures to drive home that they cannot bring carry-on items with them during an emergency evacuation.
The rules for an airplane emergency evacuation never permitted travelers to bring their carry-on items during evacuation; yet recent emergency evacuations in February, April and July apparently showed people with their carry-on items, which slows the evacuation.
Video clearly shows travelers with their carry-ons deplaning during the emergency evacuation in July, which occurred when an American Airlines plane had a tire issue during takeoff, prompting an emergency landing at Denver International minutes later.
The FAA told NBC News that “Passengers have taken their carry-on items with them on a number of recent evacuations. This slows the evacuation and puts lives at risk.”
The new recommendations to airlines should “clearly and concisely instruct passengers to leave all carry-on items behind during an evacuation.”
The FAA, meanwhile, has not provided any additional information about the new instructions to airlines.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
