Can I take unopened chips on plane?

Packaged Snacks Good news for travelers who want to bring home interesting snacks from great food destinations around the world: as long as everything is sealed, you're good to go. Unopened snacks such as granola bars, nuts, chips, crackers, and cookies are safe in your carry-on or checked bag.



Yes, you can absolutely take unopened (and even opened) bags of chips on a plane. TSA considers chips a solid food item, which means they are not subject to the 3-1-1 liquid rule. You can pack them in your carry-on or your checked luggage without issue. One interesting "pro-tip" for 2026 travelers: because the cabin of an airplane is pressurized to an altitude of about 6,000 to 8,000 feet, the air trapped inside a sealed bag of chips will expand as the plane climbs. This can cause the bag to become extremely "puffed up" and, in rare cases, even pop loudly during the flight. To avoid a "chip explosion" in your bag, some frequent flyers suggest making a tiny pin-prick in the bag or simply opening it slightly before takeoff. Security officers may occasionally ask you to remove food from your bag for separate X-ray screening if the bags are cluttered, but as a standalone item, your snacks are perfectly safe to bring through the checkpoint.

People Also Ask

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags.

MORE DETAILS

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

MORE DETAILS

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked baggage. TSA officers may instruct travelers to separate items from carry-on bags such as foods, powders, and any materials that can clutter bags and obstruct clear images on the X-ray machine.

MORE DETAILS

Foods you can't pack in your carry-on
Think: creamy cheeses, liquid chocolate, liquid coffee, creamy dips and spreads, gravy, honey, hummus, ice cream, jam, jelly, juice, syrup, peanut butter, salad dressing, sauce, salsa, soda, soup and yogurt.

MORE DETAILS

Can you take food through airport security? Are you allowed to bring your own food/snacks on board a plane, or eat your own meal while waiting for your flight to depart? Yes, you are! Did you know that (in theory) you can even take a cheeseburger with you?

MORE DETAILS

Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will allow you to bring sandwiches through airport security in your carry-on baggage. If the sandwiches aren't already pre-packaged, they should be wrapped or placed in a resealable bag or container with a secure lid.

MORE DETAILS

You can bring most snacks on the plane. Liquids, including dips and spreads, are limited to 3.4 ounces. Breast milk and baby food get a special exception.

MORE DETAILS

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags.

MORE DETAILS

You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.

MORE DETAILS

The short answer is yes, you can take food through TSA—you'll just might encounter some trouble the closer those foods are to a liquid.

MORE DETAILS

Tip #2: Reduce waste and save some money by bringing a reusable water bottle. So you can't bring H20 or any other liquids more than 3.4 oz. (well there are some exceptions) through security, but you CAN bring an empty bottle. Just fill it up on your way to boarding your flight after screening.

MORE DETAILS

The reason why water is not allowed through airport security is that there are some explosive chemical liquids such as nitroglycerine, that are indistinguishable from water when looked at.

MORE DETAILS

Toothpaste is considered a liquid by the TSA (Transport Security Agency), even though it's technically a paste. In fact, all pastes, gels, waxes, and lotions are also classified as liquids. And even today, these substances are still restricted by the 3-1-1 rule in hand luggage due to safety threats.

MORE DETAILS

Firearms, ammunition, and fireworks are prohibited, as are all knives and safety razors (including pocket knives and Swiss Army knives). Straight razors and replacement blades for straight razors are also not allowed. Most tools also cannot be packed in carry-on luggage, as they have the potential to cause harm.

MORE DETAILS

Is toothpaste considered a liquid by the TSA? Yes, toothpaste must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. Toothpaste can be brought through TSA security in your carry-on as long as it is 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less and placed in a 1-quart bag.

MORE DETAILS

Food. For flights under 800 miles long, we won't have complimentary snacks available, but you're always welcome to bring your own snacks on board. Flights over 500 miles will also have additional products like snack boxes, and flights 1500 miles and over have Bistro on Board items available for purchase.

MORE DETAILS

You may be able to bring in food such as fruits, meats or other agricultural products depending on the region or country from which you are traveling. You must declare all food products. Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.

MORE DETAILS

The TSA replied, “No worries. Aluminum foil is good to go in carry-on and checked bags”. So there is your answer. You can pack rolls on aluminum foil (or tin foil as it's sometimes called) in hand luggage or hold luggage.

MORE DETAILS

Solid food items (not liquids or gels) can be transported in either your carry-on or checked bags. Liquid or gel food items larger than 3.4 oz are not allowed in carry-on bags and should be placed in your checked bags if possible.

MORE DETAILS

Yes, you may ask politely [for more free food], Nuralia Mazlan, a Kuala Lumpur-based flight attendant, told the website Quora. If a passenger came to me asking if there's anything for them to munch on, I always give them anything that's available.

MORE DETAILS