If you’re unsure about how much liquid can you bring on a plane, you’re not alone. With all the security rules for air travel, it can be overwhelming to remember how much liquid you can take in your carry-on and checked bags.
The restrictions on liquids began a few years after the 9/11 attacks when an individual attempted to use liquid for nefarious purposes. As a result, there are now limitations on the amount of fluid ounces you can bring on a plane.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the TSA liquids rules, so you’ll have a better understanding of how much liquid you’re allowed to take on a plane and the exceptions that permit you to bring more than the limit. We’ll also clarify what counts as a liquid since it can be unclear.
Note: Please keep in mind that the TSA rules mentioned in this post are specifically for travel from airports in the USA. It’s important to note that other countries may have different rules and regulations, so if you’re flying from an airport in another country, make sure to check the guidelines set by the relevant authority in that country.
What Counts as Liquid on a Plane?
It might seem straightforward to determine what counts as a liquid when packing for a flight, but it can actually be quite confusing. The reason being, there are some items that are classified as liquids by the TSA, even though you may not consider them to be.
Items such as gels, creams, and aerosols fall under the liquid category, which means that they must adhere to the same rules and regulations regarding the amount of liquid you are allowed to bring on a plane.
To make it clearer, here are some examples of things that you might not have thought would be considered as liquids:
Peanut Butter
If you’re planning to bring peanut butter on a plane, keep in mind that it counts as a liquid. This is because it is spreadable and must comply with the liquids rules enforced by the TSA. While you are allowed to bring food on a plane, make sure that items like peanut butter are packed in accordance with the rules.
Mascara
Believe it or not, mascara is considered a liquid when flying. It’s not always obvious which makeup items are liquids, so be sure to check before you pack.
Toothpaste
Don’t let the rules about how much liquid you can take on a plane discourage you from packing toothpaste.
Despite being thicker than a regular liquid, toothpaste is classified as a cream or gel and must comply to TSA’s liquid regulations.
However, there’s good news! You can purchase travel-sized toothpaste or solid toothpaste tabs to make your travels easier.
Deodorant
Deodorant can come in many forms, but solid stick deodorant is safe to pack in your carry-on. However, if you use gel or aerosol deodorant, it’s considered a liquid and must comply with the liquid allowance regulations.
However, if you prefer gel or aerosol types, these are classified as liquids and must comply with the TSA liquid regulations. Read More on bringing deodorants on a plane for more detailed information.
How Much Liquid Can You Take on a Plane?
Now that you have a clearer understanding of what items are considered liquids when traveling by plane, let’s take a closer look at the limits on the amount of liquids you can bring in your checked and carry-on luggage.
What Is the Liquid Allowance on Planes?
If you’re not sure about the TSA’s liquid allowance for air travel, here’s a quick refresher. These rules only apply to liquids that you bring in your carry-on baggage.
All of your liquid containers must fit in one clear, quart-sized zip-top bag, which is roughly the size of a liter.
Each passenger can only have one bag of liquids in their carry-on luggage, meaning one bag per person and not per bag.
Furthermore, there are limits on the amount of liquid that can be in each container.
How Many Fluid Ounces Can You Take on a Plane?
When it comes to liquids in your carry on luggage, all containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or smaller. Even if a larger container is mostly empty, it is still not permitted.Exceptions to the liquids allowance on planes
How Many ML Can You Take on a Plane?
If you’re more comfortable with milliliters than fluid ounces, it’s important to note that each container of liquid you bring in your carry-on luggage must be 100ml or less. It’s worth noting that larger containers are not allowed, even if they contain less than 100ml of liquid.
Exceptions to the Liquids Allowance on Planes
Fortunately, there are some exceptions to the liquids restrictions for carry-on luggage, which permit you to bring larger than 3.4 ounces/100ml of certain items.
Breast Milk, Baby Formula, and Juice for Babies
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permits baby formula, breast milk, and juice in amounts exceeding 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters to be carried in your carry-on luggage without the need to fit in a quart-sized bag. However, at the security checkpoint, you must take out any of these items from your carry-on bag to be screened separately, just like with your liquids bag and other items such as a laptop. It is advisable to inform the TSA agent in advance that you have these items with you.
Medical Liquids
If you’re traveling with liquid medication that is medically necessary, you can bring more than the standard liquids allowance on a plane. This means that your liquid medication does not have to be in the 1 quart zip top bag with your other liquids.
It’s important to note that what the TSA considers medically necessary might not be the same as what other countries allow. To avoid any issues, it’s always a good idea to check with the country you’re flying from to make sure your liquid medication is allowed.
When you reach the screening point, make sure to inform the TSA agent that you have liquid medication that needs to be screened separately. Take your liquid medication out of your bag and place it in a separate bin for screening.
Hand Sanitizer
Starting in 2020, a new rule was implemented that allows passengers to bring a larger container of hand sanitizer on board. Unlike the usual limit of 3.4 ounces, passengers can now carry one container that holds up to 12 fluid ounces of hand sanitizer, which is equivalent to approximately 354ml for those using the metric system.
The good news is that this larger bottle of hand sanitizer doesn’t need to be included in your liquids bag. However, you will still need to take it out of your carry-on bag to be screened separately.
Wet Wipes
Great news! Wet wipes, baby wipes, makeup wipes, and disinfectant wipes are not considered as liquids, so you can take them with you on the plane without any worries about the liquids limit.
Empty Water Bottle
While you can’t bring a water bottle filled with water (unless it’s a small 3.4 ounce bottle), you’re allowed to bring an empty bottle. This presents an opportunity to carry a reusable bottle, which is eco-friendlier. After passing security, you can fill it up with water at the airport and save some cash as you won’t have to purchase overpriced bottled water.
How Much Liquid Can You Bring on a Plane in Checked Baggage?
If you need to pack more liquid than the permitted allowance in your carry-on, you must place it in your checked baggage. However, you might wonder if there is a limit to the amount of liquid you can pack in checked luggage.
Generally, you can bring as much liquid as you want in your checked bag. Nonetheless, there are always exceptions.
If you carry aerosols such as hairspray or spray deodorant in your checked luggage, there is a limit to how much you can bring.
According to TSA, “Toiletry-type aerosols in checked baggage must not exceed 70 oz. (68 fl. oz) total, and each container must be 18 oz. (16 fl. oz.) or less.”
Although this is a considerable amount of hairspray, it is something to bear in mind if you are carrying a lot of liquid in your checked luggage.
Conclusion: How Much Liquid Can You Bring on a Plane
The main takeaway from this article is that when it comes to bringing liquids in your carry-on baggage, you’re only allowed containers that hold a maximum of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters. Moreover, all containers should fit into a single quart-sized, or one-liter, plastic bag.
As long as you abide by these guidelines, you should have no issues bringing your liquids on board with you. This article has covered a range of topics related to bringing liquids on planes, including what qualifies as a liquid, the TSA’s exceptions to their liquid rules, and tips for minimizing your liquids to make travel more manageable.
Hopefully, this information on how much liquid can you bring on a plane has answered all your questions and provided you with valuable insights into how to pack your liquids efficiently for your next flight.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. The author and publisher of this article make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this article and shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
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