What Can You Take On A Plane

What can you take on a plane? This is a question we've all grappled with at least once in a lifetime. Picture this: you get truly excited about your long-awaited trip, and then comes the "what can I bring on a plane" moment.

There are certain TSA rules for carry-ons any traveller should be aware of, like how much liquid can enter the cabin. Or, is it fine for your must-have travel items, like your favourite razor or healing candles, to go on board?

This post will cover very much anything you need to know about carry-on packing so you can go through the security smoother and faster. It’s time to brush up on the latest TSA rules and jet off with more confidence.

What Is Allowed In Your Carry-On Bag?

Liquids

Know the liquid rules and there won't be any delays at the TSA checkpoint. Photo by Nevada31 - stock.adobe.com

What size liquid can you take on a plane? How much shampoo can you slip into your toiletry bag? What size toothpaste can you take on a plane? We can't deny that the liquid rule creeps into many aspects of packing, and it's hard to ignore it.

Even when you’re not a regular flyer, chances are you’ve heard about the 3-1-1 rule somewhere sometimes. The requirement to put non-flammable liquids into a 3.4-ounce container has been around for nearly two decades. 

According to explosive experts, with such an amount, anyone with wicked intentions won’t be able to use liquid explosives to take the plane down. If you plan to bring some liquids onboard, let’s have a look at how to do it right:

• (3) You should limit the liquids, gels, aerosols, pastes, creams, etc., to under 3.4 ounces (or 100 millilitres) in your carry-ons.
• (1) All of these liquids should go into one single, clear quart-size bag.
• (1) Each passenger can only bring one quart-size bag as a carry-on. If you wish to fly with more liquids, you must pack them into your checked-in bags.

Medication

Anyone with medical needs can carry a “reasonable" amount of liquid medication onboard. By this we mean you can take more than 3.4 ounces of medicines, provided that you notice TSA officials in advance. For medication in pill and solid forms, there are no restrictions on how much you can bring in your handbag as long as it safely passes the screening. 

Foods & Snacks

Take home any tasty souvenirs for your loved ones. Just make sure you get familiar with TSA rules first before stashing them into your carry-on.

Technically speaking, you can fly with most food as a carry-on. It is the amount of food that is restricted. Simply put, there are two categories of food you can take note of—solid foods and those possibly falling into the “liquid” type.  

What TSA views as solid foods can breeze through the checkpoint as a carry-on. Generally, you can take these items onto the plane with you:

• Hard cheese 
• Cooked meats and seafood
• Dried goods like liquid-free gains, pasta, beans
• Dried fruits
• Bread
• Fresh eggs 
• Small snacks: Hardened chocolate and confectionery candies, nuts, bars, popcorn, crackers, cookies, and the like.

Liquid foods: Pay close attention to the amount you bring, as these foodstuffs must strictly comply with the TSA’s liquid rules. 

To go as carry-on luggage, these foods should be less than 3.4 ounces, and you should pack them in the same way you would with liquid. Whenever in doubt, you can always check them in the hold or ship them home.

• Canned food
• Liquid chocolate
• Creamy cheeses
• Gravy
• Jams, spreads, and dips
• Honey, syrup
• Vinegar, oils
• Ice cream
• Jams and jellies
• Sauces, hummus
• Soups
• Salsas
• Salad dressings
• Yoghurt.

Exception:

Think twice about packing raw vegetables, fruits, seeds, meat, dairy, fish and animal products as they are prohibited due to risks of invasive plant pests and diseases. For instance, if you travel from the US (outside the EU) to the UK, you can’t bring any meat or meat products on board.

Food-packing tip: Whatever you pack, be courteous when bringing and packing food onboard. Consider leaving anything pungent at home. If you have to bring them anyway, pack them with the utmost care to not disturb your fellow passengers.

Baby Food

What can you take on a plane if you're an on-the-go parent with a newborn? TSA policies are more generous regarding baby food. If you're flying with a baby, you can bring breast milk, baby formula, baby juice, and sterilised water. 

All items can exceed the limit of 3.4 ounces but need to be packed in a separate bag for security screening.

If so, how many ounces can you take on a plane? The TSA doesn't specify the legal limit. Yet, they do state that parents can bring a “reasonable” amount, which means that it's enough to keep their baby well-fed during the flight. 

Don't worry about liquid limits if you travel with a baby. Photo By Paul Hanaoka on Unsplash

Accessories accompanying these foodstuffs, like ice or freezer packs, are also permissible onboard most aircraft. 

One important note: Ice packs that keep the milk cold should be frozen solid when entering the security checkpoint. Otherwise, they will be treated as liquid and subject to 3-1-1 rules. 

To ensure the smoothest journey through security, you should keep any liquid in a bag easily visible to the gate crew (for the sake of security screening). If you prefer your infant's food/milk not to be X-rayed, also inform the TSA to get alternative clearing approaches.

Cosmetic Products

Many makeup items are liquid-based, so you should pack them with the 3-1-1 rules in mind. These products are cleared for carry-ons as long as they’re less than 3.4 ounces and with proper packing. Here are common cosmetic items the TSA crew will treat as liquid:

• Liquid eyeliner
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Mascara
• Makeup remover
• Nail polish
• Nail polish remover
• Hairspray
• Hair gel
• Aerosol hair texturiser
• Perfume.

You can bring any amount of makeup items in solid or powder form, such as blush or eyeshadow. However, be extra prepared if they’re larger than 12 ounces (350 litres). The TSA inspector will ask you to place them in a separate bin for screening. 

You can freely bring as much as you wish on the plane for hairbrushes, makeup wipes, lipsticks and lip balms. 

Deodorant

If you wa