Years of watching airport agents throw away your favourite perfume, your shampoo, or your most expensive hair mask just because it doesn’t fit in a mini bottle or isn’t inside a resealable plastic bag. For some, our most personal Vietnam flashbacks, but we come with good news: that’s about to end.
As unbelievable as it may seem, the United States wants to change how flying is experienced in the country, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is finally going to allow you to travel with your favourite full-size products, and without drama at the security checkpoint! Is this the future?
What is the 3-1-1 rule and why did it exist?
For almost twenty years, passengers on U.S. flights have been subject to a strict rule that nobody really understood: you could only carry liquids in 3.4-ounce (100 ml) containers inside a quart-size clear plastic bag. If you’ve always wondered why this rule existed, basically it was to prevent terrorist attacks using liquid explosives, and 100 ml is the maximum that a detonation inside a cabin could tolerate.
Of course, seen that way, the 3-1-1 rule had a clear mission and a fairly coherent logic: reduce the risk of dangerous substances going undetected through security checks. But the world is moving forward, and in the era of technology, it was strange that no one had worked on improving this rule, since in 2025 it seems pretty outdated.
New scanners lead this change
As we said, technology has played a major role in these changes. TSA can now accurately analyze the contents of liquids without needing to limit the size thanks to new computed tomography (CT) scanners, which also speed up the screening process. And if you think this doesn’t work, look at the United Kingdom!
Also, the impact will be immediate for passengers once approved: less time pulling out bottles, fewer special containers, and above all, a much smoother travel experience (and being able to travel with your favourite perfume without having to lose the bottle along the way).
Full-size liquids
The list will likely be expanded soon, but there are already 11 approved products that you can travel with in full size, here they are:
- Over-the-counter medications
- Prescription medications in gel, liquid or aerosol form
- Ice packs or gel packs for medically necessary items
- Food and drink for infants and toddlers
- Wet batteries
- Live fish transported in water
- Biological specimens
- Breast milk or baby formula
- Liquid-filled teethers
- Duty-free items sealed in a tamper-evident bag
- Fresh eggs
And if all goes well, shampoo, perfume, sunscreen, or your trusted body wash will be added to this list, with no size restrictions!
When will it be implemented?
It is expected that throughout 2025 the list of liquids you can bring with you will progressively expand. For now, it has started to be used in Atlanta, JFK, and LAX, the largest airports in the country.
What about international flights?
Unfortunately, it has not yet been implemented nationwide and will only apply to domestic flights within national territory.
What should travelers keep in mind?
Although the measure is positive, they should first check if the airline they are flying with complies with these conditions so they don’t get an unpleasant surprise at the security line.
And remember, sharp, flammable, or prohibited objects are still banned; that hasn’t changed!
A new era is coming for American travelers. We are getting closer and closer to being able to travel with our full-size toiletries!