Airline passengers will be able to carry small knives, which were banned after 9/11, souvenir baseball bats, golf clubs, and other sports equipment onto planes beginning next month.

Transportation Security Administration officials said the change will align the list of prohibited items on U.S. flights with those of international carriers.

The agency also said the new policy will allow officers to focus on more serious threats, like explosives and guns, as well as cut the time passengers spend going through security screening.

Flight attendants are angry about the change and said it will put them and their passengers at risk.

"Having knives on board is a horrible decision and we're incredibly disappointed in the TSA for allowing weapons onboard an aircraft," said Veda Shook, president of the Association of Flight Attendants.

The change goes into effect April 25.