Liquids
As the rule with flying is that liquids must not be transported in quantities greater than 100ml, you must abide by this rule when bringing liquids with you in your hand luggage. Alternatively, for liquid food that will not go bad in hold luggage, liquids can be transported in your checked luggage in whatever quantities. Read our blog on prohibited items when flying for more information about flying with liquids and other items you can carry on a plane.
Hot Drinks
Even if you buy a hot drink after security, in the airport lounge, many airlines ban hot drinks on planes in the interest of safety. However it is worth checking with your airline to see their individual policies regarding hot drinks.
Alcohol
Generally, passengers are allowed 100ml of alcohol in their carry-on luggage as long as the alcohol content is under 70%. Additionally, most airlines will not allow passengers to consume their own alcohol throughout the duration of the flight.
We've curated a list of airlines that do and don't serve alcohol on flights, as well as answering the question of whether you are allowed to bring alcohol on board with you.
Spreadable Foods
Because of the rules and restrictions surrounding liquids when travelling, if a food is spreadable, such as cream cheese, peanut butter, then it falls under the liquid category, as it is a semi-liquid. This means that you can still transport cream cheese or nutella if you wish, but it must be transported in a container measuring less than 100ml. This is important to note as some jars of nutella will be allowed and others wont.
Canned or Bottled Items
Like spreadable foods, foods that are carried in a can have to follow the same rules if they can be poured spread. For example, jams, jellies, honey, dips or soup all will have to be decanted into containers of 100ml (3.4 ounces) or less. Because of how canned foods appear on the X-ray machines, however, canned foods are recommended to be packed in checked bags.
Meat and Seafood
Meat is permitted onboard planes, whether it is raw or cooked. It must be packed correctly by ensuring it is wrapped and completely sealed so that no juices or smells can escape. If you are planning on bringing back meat, game and seafood from a hunting or fishing trip, be sure to check out our page with tips on how to package and transport items such as these.
Seafood can also be transported on a plane, both raw and uncooked. The same rules apply to seafood and meat, meaning that they must be well packaged and wrapped to ensure the juices and smells can not leak out.
This rule, however, applies only to countries within the EU. When flying to and from other countries outside the EU, rules may vary and are dependent on the country you are flying from, to and any layovers you may have. We recommend checking with both your airline and the local customs of the country of origin and destination.
Frozen Food
Flying with frozen meat or seafood is usually allowed, but again depends on the rules of the airline and countries of origin and destination, so you must check with the country and airlines before travelling. For those that permit it, frozen meat or other goods, including ready meals or ice cream, must be packed with ice or ice packs which are fully frozen at the point of airport screening, and not defrosted.
Live Fish
According to the TSA, passengers are permitted to take live fish on in carry-on baggage, but not checked baggage. They must be transported in water, in a transparent, spill proof container.
Live Lobster
It may surprise you that although you aren’t allowed live fish in your checked bags, you are allowed a live lobster on flights in the US and Canada. They must be transported in leak-proof packaging, which is clear and plastic. In addition, some airlines may prohibit live lobsters on their planes, so you must check the individual airline’s regulations.
Eggs
Raw or hard boiled, eggs are permitted on planes. However, they must be packaged well to ensure they do not crack and spill everywhere.
Baked Goods
As bread is a solid food, they can be transported in carry on baggage, as well as in checked luggage. Pies and Cakes are also allowed on planes, as long as the pie filling is not liquid, and they will often be subject to additional screening.
Candy, Sweets and Chocolate
As long as they are solid and not liquid, then you are allowed them in both carry on and checked luggage.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
You are allowed to transport fresh fruit and vegetables in your checked luggage. However, in your hand luggage there are more regulations. To avoid risk of spreading invasive plant species and pets, passengers flying from some countries including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands cannot take fresh fruit and vegetables with them to the US. We recommend checking the customs rules with the country you are travelling to and from if you are unsure.