Can you bring a water bottle on a plane? Although it’s possible to buy water on flights and purchase water in the airport after security, you may still be wondering whether you can bring water through security.
When you’re travelling, it’s essential to stay hydrated. It’s a valid question—after all, the last thing you want is to be stuck for hours without access to water. Here’s everything you need to know, including packing rules, so your next trip runs smoothly.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Can You Bring a Water Bottle on a Plane? TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict guidelines regarding how much liquid you can bring on a plane.
You can only bring water through security if it’s less than 100ml. This is almost 5 times smaller than the average water bottle! Also, it’s worth noting that even if you only have 100ml in a larger bottle, it’s the size of the container that counts, and it still won’t be allowed through.
Yes, as long as it is contained within the quart-sized bag, it’s also important to note that these bags will be screened separately from your other items when going past security.
If containers are larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml), they won’t be allowed through security, and the security officer will discard them.
However, you can bring an empty reusable water bottle of any size through security and fill it up after you’ve gone through the checkpoint. Of course, you’ll still need to ensure your empty bottle of water passing it through the x-ray machine.
It’s better to drink all liquids before you go through security and buy water inside the terminal or on the plane – or, of course, you could bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at the airport water fountains.
TSA Guidelines – Exceptions for Babies
The TSA also allows breast milk, baby formula, and juice for infants in reasonable quantities. To ensure your liquids can be taken on the plane, you must declare them for inspection. Once declared, the TSA will screen your items and allow them through if there are no security concerns.
TSA Exceptions for Live Fish
The TSA allows fish containers of liquid up to 48 ounces (1.4 L), with exceptions for larger amounts in some cases. The TSA also allows live fish on flights.
If you’re carrying a live fish, you’ll need to inform the airline about it in advance and make sure that your fish container is allowed on the airline you’re flying with. You will probably have to pay extra for this too.
Why Can’t You Bring Water Through Security?
The TSA’s restrictions on bringing liquids through security are in place for your safety. The restrictions limit the amount of liquid used as a weapon or to disrupt a plane. Limiting passengers from bringing large containers of liquid onto the plane reduces the risk of a security breach.
Can You Bring a Water Bottle on a Plane: Final Words
Being able to bring water on a plane can help make long flights more comfortable and enjoyable—but you must know the rules first!
Generally speaking, most airports allow passengers to bring one clear plastic bag of liquids carry-on luggage provided that each container is no more than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) and all containers fit inside the one quart-sized plastic bag.
The best option is to bring an empty water bottle and fill it up at the airport water fountains, buy water once through security, or even purchase water on a plane.
However, you may want to avoid airport prices. In that case, I recommend bringing an empty reusable water bottle to limit single-use plastic and save money simultaneously.
Summary
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| TSA Liquid Regulations | Only water less than 100ml is allowed through security. The size of the container counts, not the amount inside. Liquids in quart-sized bags will be screened separately. Containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100ml) will be discarded. |
| Best Practices | Drink all liquids before security, purchase water in the terminal or on the plane, or bring an empty bottle and fill it up post-security. |
| Exceptions for Babies | TSA allows breast milk, baby formula, and juice for infants. They must be declared for inspection and will be screened for security concerns. |
| Exceptions for Live Fish | Up to 48 ounces (1.4 L) of fish containers are allowed. For larger amounts, there may be exceptions. Travelers must inform the airline in advance and may incur additional costs. |
| Reason for Liquid Restrictions | These restrictions are in place for safety, aiming to limit the amount of liquid that could be used as a weapon or to disrupt a plane. |
| General Airport Practices | Most airports allow one clear plastic bag of liquids in carry-on with each container holding no more than 3.4 ounces (100ml), and all containers should fit in a quart-sized plastic bag. |
| Recommendation | It’s advised to bring an empty reusable bottle to fill post-security. To avoid high costs, use refill stations to reduce plastic waste and save money. |
Can You Bring Water on a Plane? FAQ’s
If you try to bring a water bottle larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml) through security, it will not be allowed and will be confiscated by security.
Yes, you can bring an empty water bottle through airport security checkpoints. However, this will be subject to the same rules and regulations as any other liquid item in your carry-on luggage.
Yes, some airports have water fountains or bottle-filling stations available for passengers after going through security. This will allow you to fill up your bottle with fresh drinking water once you’re on the other side of the checkpoint.
Yes, you can bring an empty water bottle through airport security checkpoints. However, this will be subject to the same rules and regulations as any other liquid item in your carry-on luggage.
Yes, some airports have water fountains or bottle-filling stations available for passengers after going through security. This will allow you to fill up your bottle with fresh drinking water once you’re on the other side of the checkpoint.
Yes, as long as it’s empty when you go through security. You can fill it up at the airport water fountains once you pass the TSA checkpoints.
Yes, many airports have stores or kiosks where you can buy water after security. This is often the most convenient option if you don’t bring an empty bottle and don’t want to fill up a disposable one.
Yes, empty stainless steel water bottles are allowed through security if they meet the size requirements. However, you’ll need to ensure the empty metal bottle before passing it through the x-ray machine.
The 3-1-1 liquid rule states that passengers are allowed to bring 1 clear quart-sized bag of liquids in their hand luggage, and each container must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml). This same rule applies to all other types of liquids, such as gels or pastes.
No, infants are exempt from the 3-1-1 liquid rule. However, breast milk, baby formula, and juice for infants will need to be declared at security checkpoints. These items will then be screened separately.
Yes, ice packs are allowed through security as long as they’re completely frozen when you arrive at the checkpoint. If the ice pack is partially melted, it may need to be discarded by security.
Resources:
For more information about TSA security rules and regulations for carry-on luggage liquids, please visit the official TSA website here.
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Sylvie Simpson is the founder of European Cities with Kids. For the past 6 years, she has been travelling all over Europe whenever she has the chance, both solo, for work and with her daughter. Sylvie is on a mission to help people make the most of city breaks in Europe with kids and helps over 50,000 readers per month plan and make the most of their trips in Europe with kids.