Can You Take Perfume on a Plane

Long flights can make you sweaty, and uncomfortable and will make you long for a refreshing option while traveling. One of the safest options is to carry your favorite fragrance along with you to keep you perked up during the long flight hours.

We have thoroughly researched and made sure to answer every question that you may have when it comes to carrying perfume on a plane.

The question is can you take perfumes and cologne on a plane and, if so, how much perfume and cologne can you take on a plane. Let us find out.

Can you take perfume through airport security in your carry on?

The Transportation Security Administration allows you to bring perfume in your carry on bags through airport security, but you need to comply with the strict TSA liquid rules. Since it is a liquid perfume also falls with these. This also applies to perfume in aerosols or a perfume atomizer.

Also don’t forget any perfume you may have tucked in your purse, if you are carrying that separately from your hand luggage.

Perfumes are usually not cheap so the last thing you need is for a security agent to confiscate your expensive perfume. Fortunately, most actual perfumes, rather than cologne etc, are so expensive that they generally come in smaller bottles than 3.4 ounces.

The specific guidelines of the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule are mentioned below:

1. The perfume bottle should be no larger than 3.4 oz (or 100ml).
2. The bottles should be stored, in a quart size transparent toiletries bag along with any other gels, creams and liquids.
3. Airport security only allows one resealable liquids bag per person.

You can always check with the TSA using their very helpful service on Twitter called #AskTSA where they will reply to any questions about what can be taken on an aircraft. This is a question regarding taking perfume on a plane:

If you are looking to carry perfume in your handbag, then you need to be cautious of the amount each liquid item in your quart sized plastic bag contains. Generally, a quart sized bag can only carry approximately 7 small bottles. See our article on the best quart sized liquids bags.

EXCEPTION: You can take larger perfume or cologne bottles through airport security if you have arrived from overseas and are now catching an onward domestic flight and need to pass through security again. If you bought some cologne at a duty-free store in your departure airport (or duty-free perfume or some other liquid duty-free items) and it is still unopened in the tamper-evident bag that it would be supplied in by the duty-free stores, then that should be allowed.

Can you take perfume on a plane in your carry on?

Although we have already mentioned that you cannot take perfume that is larger than 3.4 fluid ounces through airport security, you can actually take a larger bottle than that on the aircraft with you in your carry on luggage.

The reason for that is you can purchase it in one of the stores at the airport (perhaps in a duty free shop if traveling internationally) after you pass through the security checkpoint. Most airlines, particularly when flying internationally, don’t miss a trick to get a few extra bucks out of you by bringing around a trolley selling perfumes etc so you can also buy some during the flight.

All duty free perfume, alcohol etc bought in a duty free shop can be carried on board in addition to your carry on baggage allowance.

The same thing applies to any liquids such as water, deodorant, sun cream, body lotion etc.

Can you use perfume while on board?

Of course you can use perfume on the flight as there are no regulations to say that you cannot.

However, when you are traveling on a plane, you should be considerate and careful about other passengers. Spraying perfume on a plane could be very uncomfortable for other passengers as some might suffer from asthma, migraine and other allergies that can be aggravated by highly scented fragrances and perfumes.

Even if you don’t have any allergies, aircraft seats are very cramped and I certainly wouldn’t be happy if the person sitting next to me suddenly sprayed me with their perfume.

Just don’t go haywire when spraying it on yourself.

Can you bring perfume on a plane in checked luggage?

If you want to pack perfume in your checked luggage then you can almost without restriction as the strict liquids rules only apply to your carry on bags when passing through airport security.

It needs to be stored very carefully in your suitcase because the last thing you want is for the bottle to leak or break as your clothes will have an overwhelming smell for the duration of your trip.

So when you pack perfume, make sure to place it in a plastic bag and with things that will pad it out to prevent breakage.

This is a reply from the #AskTSA service confirming that a bottle of perfume that is 4.2 oz must go in checked bags.

How to pack perfume in carry on

Carrying perfumes for a flight is easy. You just need to take care of a few essential steps:

• Before packing, make absolutely sure that the perfume bottle is properly closed with either the stopper on tight or if a pump action that it has a cap to prevent it from being pressed accidentally.
• If packing the perfume in checked baggage then put the perfume bottle or bottles in separate transparent zip lock bags to avoid any breakage or friction between the bottles during travel. Distribute these separate bottles amongst your soft clothing deep inside the checked bag or inside shoes to protect them.
• If you are taking the perfume in your carry on luggage, then it will have to go in your one quart bag.
• In case you are taking perfumes in your checked luggage. wrap them nicely in bubble wrap or place the zip lock bag in-between clothes. This step helps in reducing the chances of breakage of bottles during travel.

Conclusion

You can bring perfume on a plane in your carry on and your checked baggage. The TSA liquids rule applies which means you can only take it in your carry on if it is no larger than 3.4 fl ozs (100 ml). Any size can go in your checked bag.

Perfumes are an essential item for many to take in their carry on bag with them while traveling on long flights.

According to TSA, as long as perfumes comply with the 3-1-1 liquids rule, then they can be taken through airport security. This means the perfume bottles should be no larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml. Spray perfume carefully when you are on the flight. It may be highly uncomfortable for other passengers.

While packing perfume in your checked luggage, pack it carefully to avoid any type of breakage or spillage.

Other related articles

How many fluid ounces can you take on a plane?

Can you take lotion on a plane?

Can you take deodorant on a plane?

FAQs

Sharing is caring!