Research has shown that you are much more likely to get ill while flying, with more than one in five people passengers suffering from a cold or the flu after the flight.
So you might be wondering if you can bring hand sanitizer on a plane.
According to TSA regulations, you are allowed to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces in your carry on bag, and there is no limit if hand sanitizer is packed in your checked bags.
This hasn’t always been the case and may change in the future, though.
Hand sanitizer used to be part of this rule, but since the covid pandemic, the TSA now allow passengers to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in their carry on bags until further notice.
Keep in mind that if the bottle of hand sanitizer you want to bring exceeds 3.4oz/100ml, it will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to the airport security process.
If you want to bring hand sanitizer on a plane in your checked bags, you will be able to bring a very large amount.
According to the TSA, “the total aggregate quantity per person (of all your medicinal and toiletry articles, including hand sanitizer) cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces).”
The capacity of each container must also not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces)
Airline Regulations
Airlines follow TSA regulations.
So this means that all regional and major air carriers, including Delta, Southwest, United, and American Airlines, will allow you to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces in your carry on bag.
Hand Sanitizer Limits When Flying Internationally
Unfortunately, the increase in the amount of hand sanitizer you can bring on a plane does not apply worldwide.
Europe
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) states that the 3.4oz/100ml limit still applies, so you can not bring hand sanitizer in a container that exceeds 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on.
They recommend contacting the airport of your departure to see if there is an exception.
UK
In the UK, the 3.4oz/100ml limit for liquids still applies, so you can not bring hand sanitizer in a container that exceeds 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on.
Mexico
Again, in Mexico, the 3.4oz/100ml limit for liquids, gels, and aerosols still applies.
You will therefore only be able to bring hand sanitizer in a container that is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on.
Australia
The 3.4oz/100ml limit still applies, so you can not bring hand sanitizer in a container that exceeds 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on.
Canada
According to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) the restrictions on hand sanitizer have been changed.
You are now allowed to bring one bottle of hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces/355ml in your carry on bags when flying within or from Canada.
This is because Lysol is considered flammable, so can put the safety of passengers and the cabin crew at risk.
But Bring Most Disinfectant Sprays If You Want
According to TSA regulations, you can pack disinfectant sprays (as long as they are non-flammable) in both your carry on and checked bags, though if packed in your carry on, the bottle must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
Exceptions to the 3-1-1 Rule
There are several exceptions to the 3-1-1 Rule.
The following items, if packed in your carry on bags, are allowed to exceed 3.4 oz/100ml:
Breast milk and formula
Baby food
Liquid medication
Jumbo disinfecting wipes
STEB items (secure, tamper-evident bags purchased at the airport)
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).
