How Many Fluid Ounces Can You Take On A Plane?
When you travel, you want to know the best rules for bringing liquids that are allowed through security.
The rules are different for different places, so it’s important to know what the rules are at the airport where you’re travelling.
Depending on your carrier, you might be allowed to pack liquids in your carry-on, checked bag, or both. But when it comes to the amount you can bring, there are rules. So, just what are they?
You can bring on a plane what fits in your carry-on bag, in security requirements from the TSA, it’s stated that “all carry-on baggage must be able to be screened by the x-ray machine.”
You can bring on-board a maximum of 100ml of liquid with you. Any larger amounts will need to be placed in your checked luggage.
To meet the liquids rules when flying, make sure your bag is only filled with travel items that are “liquid” or “gel” approved, like shampoo, toiletries, or food. This guideline is in place to prevent explosives from getting through security.
What Counts as Liquid?
A liquid is a substance that takes the shape of a container. Liquids are very important when travelling, and people tend to bring a lot of them with them.
In fact, if you are a frequent traveller, you might be carrying more liquids than you would like.
Fluid ounces as defined by the International Air Transport Association are the standard for limited liquid rule measurement. Airline rules vary regarding quantities of liquids you can carry and how they should be packed.
An International Air Transport Association (IATA) standard, 1 litre is equivalent to 33.814 fluid ounces.
For travel, a typical disposable plastic water bottle holds about 22 fluid ounces. A typical disposable plastic liquid soda bottle holds about 7 fluid ounces.
These are small bottles and are permitted through most airport security staff.
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) suggests that all containers of liquid be placed in a single, clear, plastic, quart-sized zip-top bag, 1 quart in size or smaller.
It’s helpful to place one’s liquids in a zip-top bag before placing them in the screening bin.
Types of Liquid you can Bring on a Plane and How should they Pack
Before you think about what you’ll be bringing with you on a trip, you need to understand the liquids that are allowed and the restrictions and penalties for not packing them correctly.
With that said, you should first check your TSA rules and regulations for the place you’re travelling to. Then, check TSA’s website for the liquid restrictions.
You can bring these liquids on a plane:
1. Water
You can bring water on a plane with you, provided you are abiding by the 3-1-1 Rule. Water is allowed on board but must be in a clear quart-sized plastic bag and kept in a carry-on bag.
To pack your water bottle, place it in a quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag.
2. Baby formula and breast milk
When you travel by plane, you can bring baby milk formula, breast milk in bags, frozen breast milk and even baby food or containers that are labelled as holding these items.
It is best to carry your baby formula milk or baby milk for babies in your carry-on bag with your baby items and baby food.
3. Travel-size toiletries (3.4 oz or less)
Yes you can take travel sized toiletries on a plane, but you will have to make sure that they are in a 3.4 ounce or smaller liquid container, that all the individual containers fit into a 1 quart sized bag, and that the bag has a sealable top.
You cannot take aerosol cans on the plane, but you may take liquids that are not in larger containers.
4. Juices if purchased at the airport
When you buy juices at the airport, you do not need to pack them, but if you want to carry it on a plane. You need to pack your juices in a small bottle, a transparent plastic bag or resealable plastic.
5. Contact solution in reasonable quantities
Please be advised that solution products are not permitted on board the aircraft. However, if you would like to bring solution products as a carry-on, they must be contained in a clear 1-quart zip-top bag.
6. Medication
You can take medication on a plane but it must be in its original container. You should make sure that they are packed and labelled.
All medications must be declared to a TSA security officer at the checkpoint for inspection. The officer will instruct you about how to transport your medication in either your carry-on bag or checked bag.
Types of Liquid that must be placed in your checked luggage
Liquids you can bring on a plane but they are not allowed in carry-on baggage. The main concern is that these liquids can make explosives or weapons.
- Shower Gel or gel packs
- Creams
- Aerosols
- Lotion
- Shampoo
- Liquid soap
- Liquids in containers larger than 3 oz.
- Fragrances
- Spray Deodorants
- Lip Gloss
Liquids that can not be brought on a Plane
Restricted items and personal items like liquids that can not be brought on a plane are a huge hassle. You are allowed to bring on a plane: a bottle of water, a soft drink, a medicine, for example.
But what about a beverage that cannot be declared like a drink that contains caffeine or alcohol? For example, you are allowed to bring on a plane a coffee, but not a cappuccino.
Liquids that can not be brought on a plane include:
- Alcoholic beverages
- Fruit juices
- Carbonated drinks, including soda and soda water
- Dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and pudding
- Powdered drinks
- Pureed food items
- Vape Juice
- Dairy and meat spreads
- Pepper spray
- Aerosol spray paint and other toxic substances
- Gas-powered hair curlers
- Electrical items or inflammable items
- Hot and cold drinks, including coffee, tea, and hot chocolate
Last Words
If you are going on a long-haul flight, chances are you are carrying on some liquids, so it is important to know if those liquids can be taken on the plane.
The TSA would like everyone to believe that they are at war with liquids. It is their game of “gotcha”. They claim they are doing this to protect us.
This is not a war; it is a farce. If you are searched by airport staff, and you have been asked to remove your liquids, consider that your liquids were NOT selected for safety.
Try to find out if the liquid was banned by the TSA itself, or if the airline’s policy was to ban liquids on it’s planes.
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