Baggage Regulations TSA Rules & Regulations

Can You Bring Dry Ice on a Plane?

Updated
A bag of opened dry ice on the ground

Dry ice as an excellent alternative to ice packs for transporting food items, so you might be wondering if you can bring it on a plane.

According to TSA regulations, you can bring dry ice on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, but you should check with the airline to make sure that it will be okay.

Airline Regulations

  • Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines allow you to pack dry ice up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kg in both your carry on and checked bags, though only on flights 001-1999, 2000-2999, and 3300-3499.
  • American Airlines: American Airlines allow you to travel with dry ice up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kg as a carry-on.
  • Delta: Delta allow you to travel with dry ice packages in amounts of 5.5 lbs. (2.5 kg) in carry-on or checked baggage.
  • JetBlue: JetBlue allow you to travel with dry ice up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kg as a carry-on.
  • Spirit: Spirit allow you to travel with dry ice up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kg as a carry-on.
  • Southwest: Southwest permit you to travel with dry ice up to 5.5 lb (2.5 kg) in your carry on and checked bags.
  • United: United allow you to travel with dry ice up to 5.5 lbs/2.5 kg as a carry-on bag or checked bag.

So all major air carriers will let you bring dry ice on a plane as long as it does not exceed 5.5lbs/2.5 kg.

How to Pack Dry Ice for Flying

Airlines require the dry ice packaging to be:

  • Clearly marked stating its contents
  • Clearly marked with its net weight
  • Ventilated to allow the release of carbon dioxide

Bringing Dry Ice on International Flights is Okay

You can bring dry ice on international flights, but note that Alaska Airlines only allow you to bring dry ice on flights 001-1999, 2000-2999, and 3300-3499.

When flying from the UK, Europe, Canada, and Australia, all major air carriers will also allow you to fly with dry ice, typically up to a maximum of 5lbs/2.5 kg.

You Can Bring Ice Packs on a Plane

You can bring standard ice packs on a plane, but the rules vary depending on the type of ice pack you want to bring.

  • Freezer Packs: You are allowed to bring freezer packs in your checked bags, but they must be frozen solid if packed in your carry on bags.
  • Gel Ice Packs: You are allowed to bring gel packs in your checked bags, but they must be frozen solid if packed in your carry on bags.
  • Instant Cold Packs: You are allowed to bring instant cold packs in both your carry on and checked bags.

You Can Even Bring Frozen Food, Too

According to the TSA, you can bring frozen food on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, though if packed in your carry on along with the ice or ice packs, additional restrictions apply (as stated above).

Ella Dunham - Travel Journalist/Marketing Manager

Ella Dunham

Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.

Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.

Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).

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