Can You Take Aerosols on a Plane?

Aerosols are common in travel, but can you take aerosols on a plane? The answer is nuanced. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has specific guidelines about what can and can’t be transported on a plane, and aerosols are no exception. They generally fall under the category of liquids, so the typical restrictions on liquids apply. The FAA limits the total amount of restricted medicinal and toiletry articles, which includes aerosols. Therefore, any aerosol larger than 100 ml / 100 grams (3.4 oz) should be packed in checked luggage.

However, not all aerosols are created equal. Aerosols that contain flammable liquids or gels are not allowed in carry on or checked luggage. This is because they can pose a safety hazard during flights. On the other hand, the only types of aerosols permitted on a plane are toiletries and medicine, which are considered necessities for passengers.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows passengers to carry up to two litres of personal care aerosols in checked baggage. However, be careful with what you pack. The TSA prohibits you to pack aerosols that are flammable or otherwise hazardous. So, while you can take certain aerosols on a plane, you need to be aware of the rules and ensure your aerosols meet the necessary requirements. This is crucial for a smooth, hassle-free travel experience.

Packing for a plane flight can be sometimes tricky since TSA included many simple and common household products on the restricted items list.

How are Aerosols Dangerous on Planes?

There are a number of reasons why aerosols are classified as prohibited items. Authorities strictly inspect liquids and aerosols, because some are flammable items and can endanger passengers on a plane.

Most aerosols are flammable because of the propellant in the cans. When exposed to the changes in temperature and pressure on a plane, the flammable propellant gases of the aerosol can leak and lead to fire and even explosion.

Does this mean that if not flammable, you can bring it with you? Not necessarily.

Can you actually take aerosols on a plane?

Yes, you can bring some type of aerosols on a plane as long as they meet the TSA rules and regulations regarding such. TSA employs these rules to regulate which aerosols they will allow on a plane and deny any restricted ones.

Although you can definitely take aerosols on a plane, it is best to understand the rules and regulations ahead of time to know which aerosols to pack and ensure a smooth flight experience.

Aerosols Allowed on Planes

TSA regulations limit the number and quantity of flammable products travelers can take. However, they made some exceptions, provided that passengers follow the 3-1-1 Rule

3-1-1 Rule

TSA implements a 3-1-1 rule which allows a passenger to bring aerosols, liquids, and gels that TSA categorizes as toiletry products and must be stored in a carry-on bag. Additionally, travelers should keep these products in a container that does not exceed 3.4 ounces.

The aerosol toiletry products, along with any other non-solid items, should be comfortably stored in a single sealable quart-sized plastic bag. Travelers should seal Aerosol containers with a cap and must store them in plastic zip-lock bags to prevent any leaks that would cause issues.

Read Also: Will An Inhaler Explode On A Plane

Exceptions to the 3-1-1 Rule

There are a number of exceptions to TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids, aerosols, and gels. They exempt the following items due to how vital they are to a person’s health or condition.

• Infant and child nourishment: Baby formula good for long hours flights typically won’t fit in 3.4-ounce containers within a quart-sized bag. Reasonable amounts of baby formula, juice, and milk are accepted but will be opened and examined for inspection. Any ice packs included must be completely frozen.

• Medication: TSA allows any liquid, gel, or aerosol-based medications, but will be examined for inspection. Travelers do not need to store these in plastic bags but must be to keep them in easy access for easier security inspection.

• Liquids in secure, tamper-evident bags (STEBS): As long as the containers inside the package are clear, items secured in a tamper-evident bag can be brought on a plane with exemption to the 3-1-1 rule. These tamper-evident bags can hold liquids like perfume and jams but would need to be packed in see-through containers. Authorities will not allow as carry-ons containers that are metallic, opaque, or ceramic.

Allowed on a plane but as carry-on

Authorities allow aerosol products stored in the checked luggage up to a set limit of 18 ounces.

You can only pack full-sized toiletries in checked luggage. You can easily bring these products in either carry-on or checked bags, as long as they are within the appropriate size and do not exceed the limit. The following products such as:

• Aerosol sunblock, tanning spray, and sunburn treatments
• Bug-repellent spray
• Shaving cream: Full-sized cans of shaving cream as checked-in luggage at the airport is accepted but will be under the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule when counted as part of carry-on luggage. Fortunately, manufacturers sell shaving cream containers in travel-sized cans and are available in many major retailers.
• Hair spray: Looking good while traveling is no issue at all for the most part but will be considered as a liquid by the TSA. This means that it will be allowed on a plane as a carry-on if it is 3.4 ounces or smaller and must fit in the appropriate bag/ container. You must pack larger bottles of hairspray in checked luggage and should not exceed 18 ounces. It is also important to take note of the limit for the total amount of all combined aerosols, which is 70 ounces or 68 fluid ounces.
• Deodorant: TSA classifies spray, including aerosol spray, liquid roll-on, and gel deodorants as liquids. This means that travellers must follow the TSA regulations regarding liquid as carry-on and checked luggage. For solid or roll-on deodorant, they can be freely packed in whichever luggage and not affected by the regulations with aerosols since the deodorant is solid.
• Antiperspirant
• Perfume and cologne: TSA allows perfumes on a plane as long as the container does not exceed the limited capacity of 3.4 ounces.
• Sunscreen
• Spray nail polish

Aerosols Allowed under Certain Conditions

Can you take aerosols on a plane if they are considered non-toiletry? The TSA allows a number of non-toiletry aerosols on a plane only if they are non-flammable.
Non-toiletry aerosols must be labeled “non-flammable” and without any other labels that indicate hazard warnings. The following are examples of such:

• Animal-repellent sprays. TSA will allow repellant sprays on the plane but should not exceed four fluid ounces. Bear spray repellants are typically in larger containers and are generally not permitted in either carry-on or checked luggage. It is best to purchase this spray at the destination of arrival.
• Electronic cleaner: Allowed but only as checked luggage.
• Flat tire repair spray
• Whipped cream: They will only allow it as checked luggage and must not exceed the limit of 18 ounces.
• Self-defense spray: Travelers can only bring self-defense spray only under strict regulations and in carry-on luggage only, regardless of size or volume. This is mainly because people can use this as a weapon. Authorities only allow one single 4-ounce container of self-defense spray in checked luggage. Travelers must ensure that the item is sealed and stored with a safety mechanism that prevents any accidental leaks discharge. To avoid any inconvenience during traveling, better opt this out and just buy it at the airport or at the destination if really necessary.

Aerosols Not Allowed On Planes

TSA has classified certain aerosols as prohibited. Included in this list are flammable aerosols, those with “CAUTION FLAMMABLE” warning, and any other labels with hazard warning. Better to leave these behind as it will never be allowed regardless.

The following products are examples of such:

• Canned air: Propellants are flammable
• Cooking spray: There are pump containers that spray oil instead of the usual cooking spray.
• Spray paint: It is best to leave these and purchase spray paints at the destination.
• Spray starch and other aerosol laundry products
• WD-40 and aerosol lubricants
• Other flammable and products with hazard warnings (classified as HAZMAT)

Conclusion

Generally, you can take aerosols on a plane as long as they follow the standards implemented by the 3-1-1 rule. Aerosols should be mostly non-flammable and packed correctly in appropriate-sized containers and secure packaging.

If you follow these aerosols regarding aerosols, then you should encounter no issues with bringing aerosol products on a plane. Authorities may grant exceptions on rare occasions or personal cases. However, be sure to check the requirements.

Other Items You May Want To Check:

• Can You Take Alcohol on a Plane?
• Can you bring a razor on a plane?
• Can You Bring Cigarettes On A Plane?
• Can You Bring Makeup On A Plane?
• Can You Bring an Umbrella on a Plane?
• Can You Bring Matches On A Plane?
• What Can You Take On A Plane? Is A Lighter Or Liquid Allowed?
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