Traveling by plane can turn into a sweaty and smelly affair, which begs the question: can you bring cologne on a plane? If yes, how much cologne can you bring on a plane?
If you have ever traveled by plane, then you must be aware of the hustle that one has to go through. Besides navigating through the airport, you can easily get lost, especially if it’s your first time using that airline.
There is a high probability that won’t smell your best when you get to your flight after running up and down. Nonetheless, that does not mean that you should make those sitting next to you uncomfortable.
Before we proceed, however, let us start by answering the main question of our discussion.
Can You Bring Cologne on a Plane?
When it comes to air travel, there are strict rules that regulate what passengers can or cannot bring on a plane. As such, you should go through the regulations from the regulatory agency that is in charge of the airline that you are using.
As a result, this will help you avoid unnecessary problems with the authorities when checking in your luggage. To answer our question, you will be happy to know that you can bring cologne on a plane.
Since it is always good to rely on solid facts, let us see what the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has to say.
TSA Liquid rules: Can You Bring Cologne on a Plane?
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) provides passengers with clear regulations on how they should carry cologne on a plane. Plus, the agency specifies the amount that you should carry.
In addition to this, the regulations also touch on how passengers should carry cologne when boarding planes. According to the TSA, passengers can carry cologne in checked and carry-on bags or even in a duffle bag.
Nonetheless, you should keep in mind that rules governing the former and the latter may vary. When using carry-on bags, you can only carry 3.4 oz. (100 ml) of cologne. On the other hand, there are no specific regulations when carrying cologne in checked bags.
Still, ensure that you don’t carry large amounts of cologne as this may cost you. The TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule highlights the regulations that you can use when carrying creams, carry-on liquids, aerosols, pastes, and gels on planes.
To be on the safe side, ensure that you only carry one quart-sized bag. In as much as the TSA allows passengers to carry cologne when boarding flights, the TSA officer in charge will have the final say.
As such, the officer may or may not allow you to bring certain liquids on a plane. If the latter applies, you should not oppose the instructions that you are given.
If you don’t want the officers to confiscate your cologne, you should follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule in all scenarios. TSA’s 3-1-1 rule answers the question of how much cologne can you bring on a plane?
Additionally, ensure that you use a transparent quart-sized bag since it will save you time during the screening process.
Can You Bring Cologne on a Plane In a Carry-on Bag?
Packing your cologne in a carry-on bag is very convenient since it gives you easy access. And since the TSA has no rules that prohibit passengers from carrying cologne in carry-on luggage, you can safely package your perfume without worrying about anything.
Nevertheless, there are specific rules that each passenger must follow. You should be careful when it comes to the amount that you can carry. The Transport Security Administration (TSA) requires passengers to carry cologne in small volumes.
As stated earlier, you can only carry a maximum of 3.4 oz., which is equivalent to 100 ml. This means you may have to look for small vials that fit this limit. Travel-size bottles are easy to deal with since they don’t take up a lot of space.
To prevent the bottle from leaking, you can attach an atomizer to the cologne. Through this, the cologne will only come out when you press the dispenser.
Most airlines encourage passengers to store the vials in resealable bags. This will make everybody’s work easier at the security checkpoint.
As you can see, the rules are a bit strict when it comes to carrying cologne in carry-on bags. The best you can do is to go through the airline regulations before packing any liquid during your trip.
If you exceed TSA’s limit on the amount of cologne that you can take on a plane, you will have to pay tax. The tax payable may vary depending on the amount of cologne that you are carrying.
What Is Duty-Free Cologne?
These are colognes found in duty-free shops inside the airport. You can carry more than 3.4 oz. of duty-free cologne in your carry-on bag without having any problem with the authorities.
However, you will have to carry the cologne in a tamper-evident bag separate from your other items. You may also have to present a receipt that proves you bought the cologne not more than 48 hours before your boarding time.
When it comes to duty-free colognes, TSA’s 3-1-1 rule on liquids does not apply. If you like, you can as well forgo carrying your cologne from home. Instead, you can buy the cologne from the retailers at the airport.
Duty-free colognes come at different prices, so ensure that you go for one that fits your budget. You should also be on the lookout for colognes that are highly-priced.
How to Pack Cologne in Checked Luggage to Avoid Spills?
The good thing about packing cologne in checked luggage is that there are no limits to the amount that you can carry. However, you have to remember that cologne is highly volatile and equally flammable.
Volatile liquids can evaporate even when at room temperature. As such, it would be unwise to carry the whole bottle of cologne when taking flights. Some airlines encourage passengers to carry not more than 18 oz. (500 ml) of cologne.
Moreover, checked luggage often gets jostled during security checks. If you carry cologne in a glass bottle, it can easily break, causing damage to your items. To avoid this, you should consider packing the cologne in a separate sealable bag.
That way, most of your items will be safe if the bottle breaks during transit. Cologne may smell nice, but it can damage electronic devices when it spills in the wrong places. Also, using the best luggage brands like Delsey, Briggs and Riley can reduce the risk.
The other thing that you can do is to cover the cologne in bubble wrap. In case you don’t have bubble wrap, you can cushion the bottle using some of your clothes. You can as well keep the cologne away from hard items that may break the bottle.
Most passengers seal the bottle cap using tape to avoid accidental spills during flight. But most importantly, ensure that the cap is securely fastened before packing the cologne. Still, you can save yourself the trouble by using a small bottle.
Can I Bring Test Samples of Cologne on a Plane?
Test samples of cologne can come in handy in different scenarios. You can take them with you when taking both long and short trips. Besides, test samples often come in travel-sized plastic bottles that are both durable and reliable.
Also, they are less likely to break or cause spillage when you are traveling. Most test samples of cologne can last for weeks. This may, however, vary depending on the amount that you apply.
If you have a large bottle of cologne at home, you should consider transferring the contents to a small test sample vial.
What Is The Best Way of Bringing Cologne on a Plane?
Now that you are sure you can bring cologne on a plane, what is the best way of keeping it safe during transit? Before we get to that, you have to remember all the regulations that TSA offers.
Your cologne will only reach its destination if you give it proper care. It all starts with how you package the product. To have an easy time, you should use carry the cologne in the right bottle.
A good bottle should be leak-proof, meaning the contents should not leak regardless of the position that the bottle is in. It does not matter whether you are carrying the cologne in a checked bag or carry-on bag; ensure that you use a tightly sealed bottle.
Small plastic vials are extremely reliable in this regard and will provide you with a worry-free experience when traveling by plane. You also have the option of putting the cologne in a double bag.
By using a double bag, you won’t have to worry about spillage when carrying cologne. If one bag breaks, the second one will prevent the cologne from spreading all over the place.
The other way to go about this is by placing the cologne in a padded compartment. Moreover, most suitcases have paddings that you can use to your advantage.
Best Travel-Friendly Cologne
With the main question—can you bring cologne on a plane? Out of the way, you may be wondering which types of cologne are ideal for travel. Firstly, you need to consider TSA’s 3-1-1 liquid rule, meaning you should not go for bottles larger than 3.4 oz.
Besides, cologne bottles come in different shapes, so some may take up more luggage space. With that being said, you should buy travel-size bottles that can easily fit inside your carry-on bag.
If you prefer designer fragrances, you can go for colognes from reputable brands like Calvin Klein, Jo Malone, Prada, Versace, Chanel, etc.
These brands design some of the best travel-friendly colognes that you can take on a plane. And since the prices vary, you will have the option of choosing a cologne that is within your budget.
Can You Use Cologne during A Flight?
There are a lot of things that people do before getting on a plane. For starters, you have to present your boarding pass to the TSA agents for approval. Aside from that, you have to check in your luggage with security.
Not to forget that some airports have long queues that may require you to stand for a long period. By the time you are done, you will be all sweaty, and your body will also produce bad odor. Thankfully, your cologne is in your carry-on bag, but can you use it during the flight?
Again, airlines have no regulations that address the use of colognes in airplanes. As such, it is safe to say that you can freely use your cologne in between the flight.
However, you should be considerate about the people around you. This is mainly because some people are allergic to certain fragrances. Others have underlying health conditions like asthma, while a large percentage are highly sensitive to specific chemical products.
According to a research report published on PubMed, 30.5% of the study sample reported that they are irritated by scented products that people use. The study covered 1,058 participants.
From the numbers, there is a possibility that the person sitting next to you is allergic to your cologne. If you are planning on dousing yourself with cologne inside the plane, you should use the restroom.
In addition to this, you can use mild-scented colognes since they are less irritating. Remember not to apply too much cologne as this may cause problems to those around you.
What Is Solid Cologne, and Can I Carry It on a Plane?
Unlike most colognes that come in liquid form, solid cologne is wax-based. Plus, solid cologne comes in easy-to-carry tins that you can take with you just about anywhere. This makes them convenient for airplane travel.
The other benefit that you can get from using solid cologne is that they last longer. To add to this, the wax base keeps the cologne in a good state. As such, you won’t have to worry about it drying.
All you have to do is to ensure that the tin is kept in the right conditions at all times. When carrying solid cologne, you won’t have to worry about it spilling. Also, solid cologne is fragrance-rich, so it is just as effective as liquid cologne.
As if that is not enough, you can apply solid cologne without irritating the person sitting next to you. However, you should still use the restroom just in case.
The TSA does not provide clear rules on the quantity of solid cologne that passengers should carry on planes. Nonetheless, you should only carry one tin since it contains more than enough cologne for one trip.
Final Verdict
Throughout our discussion, we have covered questions like: can you bring cologne on a plane? How much cologne can you bring on a plane? Can you use cologne during a flight? And many more. From the answers that we have gotten, it is clear that TSA allows passengers to bring colognes on planes.
Nonetheless, there are certain rules that passengers must adhere to, especially when using a carry-on bag. Carrying cologne bottles that are larger than 3.4 oz. (100 ml) may result in tax charges. Checked luggage, on the other hand, allow passengers to carry any amount of cologne.
Even with these rules in place, TSA officers are the ones to make the final decision as to whether you should take the cologne on the plane or not.
