Yes, you can absolutely bring a water bottle through TSA as long as it is completely empty. TSA rules apply to "liquids, aerosols, and gels," not the containers themselves. This means you can carry a plastic, metal, or even a glass bottle in your hand luggage through the checkpoint. Once you are past security, you can refill the bottle at one of the many hydration stations or water fountains found in modern airports like JFK or Changi. This is a primary travel hack for 2026 to save money on expensive airport bottled water and to reduce plastic waste. Just be careful to empty the bottle completely before reaching the bins, as even a small amount of leftover water can trigger a manual bag search, causing significant delays in the security line.