A sandwich is the perfect, easy snack when flying, so you might be wondering if you can bring one on your next flight.
According to TSA regulations, you can bring a sandwich through TSA with no restrictions.
But what about when flying internationally?
Does the sandwich filling matter?
What foods won’t you be allowed to take through TSA?
Let’s find out.
Can You Bring a Sandwich Through TSA?
Domestic vs. International Flights
If you’re flying domestically within the USA or from the USA to an international destination and plan to eat your sandwich before you arrive, you won’t run into any issues.
However, if you’re flying to the USA from an international destination or from the USA to an international destination and are not planning on finishing your sandwich on the flight, you might run into issues if the sandwich contains meat, poultry, eggs, or fresh produce.
Related: Can You Bring Meat on a Plane?
By Airline
Once you have passed airport security, you can bring your homemade sandwich or shop-bought sandwich onto the plane and eat it onboard the flight.
This applies to all regional and major air carriers worldwide.
Can You Bring a Peanut Butter Sandwich Through TSA?
Even though peanut butter isn’t a solid, the TSA still allow you to bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich through airport security.
The same applies to other stuffings and spreadable food items, including butter, mayonnaise, mustard, cream cheese etc.
Can You Take Fast Food Through Airport Security?
It makes no difference if you’ve bought a sandwich from a fast food joint or any other solid food like a burger.
You can bring fast food through airport security as long as it is a solid, but liquid items like milkshakes must be in containers that are no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
Can You Bring a Salad Through Airport Security?
If your salad is a prepackaged salad bowl, you will have no problem bringing it through airport security as long as the dressing is less than 3.4oz/100ml.
If the salad already contains dressing, you will also have no problem bringing it through airport security.
But if it is a creamy salad, like potato salad, it is only allowed if the container it is in is no larger than 3.4oz.
Foods You Can’t Take Through TSA
The general rule is that creamy and spreadable food items, as well as liquids, are not allowed through airport security unless they are in containers that are no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
This includes food items like:
- Peanut Butter
- Guacamole
- Canned food
- Honey
- Syrup
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Jam, jelly and preserves
- Condiments
- Dressings
Related: Can You Bring Food Through TSA?
Can You Bring a Sandwich in Your Checked Bags?
According to TSA regulations, you can bring a sandwich (or however many you want) in your checked bags.
Robert is an expert in commercial air travel with decades of experience in the travel industry, and has spent countless hours in airports and on planes for work.
Robert therefore has an unrivaled understanding of everything related to commercial air travel, and has been quoted or mentioned in major publications, such as Insider, Trip Savvy, ZDNet, and Bored Panda, showcasing his extensive knowledge and expertise in the field.
