If for whatever reason you are flying in the near future, please note that the TSA has updated its carry-on rules for liquids, now allowing passengers to bring up to 12 ounces of hand sanitizer on board.
TSA understands that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is at the forefront on the minds of travelers, as health officials are encouraging that individuals wash their hands frequently. With that in mind, TSA is allowing one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint screening experience.
Please keep in mind that all other liquids, gels, and aerosols brought to a checkpoint continue to be allowed at the limit of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters carried in a one quart-size bag.
From TSA.gov
The Centers for Disease Control advises travelers to wash their hands using soap and water, which is still the best way to prevent infection. When hand washing is not an option, hand sanitizers containing at least 60% alcohol may be used. Since this are currently in short supply, you might consider making your own hand sanitizer using alcohol along with aloe gel.
Again, hand sanitizer is the only exception currently made for liquids. It's easy to forget or to even be a little fuzzy on exactly what is and isn't allowed, especially when the rules aren't always consistently enforced across airports. Before you pack up all your lotions and potions for travel, brush up on the TSA's current policies on flying with liquids.
These are the TSA Rules for Traveling with Liquids
- Liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols should not exceed 3.4 ounces. You can often find travel-sizes of your favorite products, though it's more economical to just transfer from the full-size version to a smaller size-compliant container.
- Before you get any wild ideas, that doesn't mean you can cram your carry-on with a bajillion 3.4-ounce bottles of moisturizer. Everything must fit inside a quart-size baggie. You can spend a little on a quart-size zippered number that will last a good while, or make do with a Ziploc. Both work just fine for the TSA.
- If there's no way you can fit everything you need in a single quart-size bag, the only other option is to pack any extra or full-sized items in your checked baggage.
- Don't forget, liquid restrictions apply not just to cosmetics and toiletries but also to foods and beverages. That may seem obvious, yet there are stacks upon stacks of confiscated water bottles at the TSA checkpoints on any given day. There are definite grey areas when it comes to what foods and beverages the TSA allows. A full water bottle is an obvious no-no, however, watermelon is most certainly allowed. If you're carrying an item you're unsure of, check the TSA's What Can I Bring page.
- Not a liquid, but often packed alongside them, powders are also something to watch out for when packing. A lesser-known rule enacted by the TSA only a few years ago limits powders to 12 ounces or less. That applies not just to make-up or cosmetic powders but also protein supplements, weight gainers, cooking substances, and anything that would constitute as a powder.
- Passengers traveling with breast milk, baby formula, or any doctor-prescribed gels, creams, or liquid medications are exempt from these restrictions.
Stay on top of breaking sales, fare drops, and more! Follow us on Twitter @Airfarewatchdog. And make sure to sign up for FREE airfare alerts to be notified when prices drop.
