Which Foods Can You Take on a Flight?

The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 30 million passengers during the 12-day Thanksgiving holiday period, which begins on Friday, Nov. 17, and concludes on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Historically, the three busiest travel days are the Tuesday and Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving and the Sunday afterward.

Be prepared for crowds — and know what you can or can’t bring on board, particularly if you’re traveling with fixings for the Thanksgiving Day feast. Most foods can be carried through TSA checkpoints, but some items need to be packed in checked baggage. 

Here’s some advice, based on guidance from the TSA:

1. Does it have to be solid?

Yes, solid foods can be brought on board. If you can spill it, spread it, spray it, pump it or pour it, and it’s larger than 3.4 ounces, it has to be checked.

2. Will it be inspected?

Food items might need a closer look at the checkpoint, so make sure you can remove them easily from your carry-on bag and place them in a separate bin for screening.

3. How about unusual nonfood items?

If you’re unsure whether an item should be packed in a carry-on bag or in a checked bag, or left at home, download the free myTSA app [https://www.tsa.gov/mobile], which has a “What can I bring?” feature that allows you to type in the item to find out if it can fly. Or post your question to @AskTSA on X or Facebook Messenger. Travelers also can text a question to “Travel” to AskTSA (275-872).

4. Can I keep my food cold?

Follow general food-safety advice from a site such as this one from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. You can bring items that need to be kept cold in an insulated bag with ice packs, but the ice packs must be frozen solid when they go through security, not melting. 

5. What kind of food is allowed onboard?

Anything solid is OK: baked goods, meats, casseroles, fruit, candy, etc.

6. What isn’t not allowed on board?

See tip #1: Cranberry sauce, for example, whether homemade or in a can, is spreadable so it has to be checked. Same with gravy, jam, syrup, etc. Any beverages larger than 3.4 ounces have to be checked, including sealed bottles of wine, liquor or apple cider.