How To Bring Food on Flights This Thanksgiving
By Melissa Moore on November 21, 2023
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 29: A scenic view of aircraft flying overhead photographed on November 29, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
I don’t usually travel on Thanksgiving by airplane, but when I have… I’ve seen it all! Stuffing, pies, etc. all being carried onto the plane and packed in the overhead bins.
The question is what can you bring in carry-on and what needs to be in your checked luggage. I decided to check TSA and read various articles to help put this all into one spot for you.
Foods that can be carried through a TSA checkpoint
- Baked goods, including cakes, cookies, brownies
- Homemade or store-bought pies
- Meats, frozen, cooked or uncooked
- Stuffing, cooked, uncooked, in a box or in a bag
- Casseroles
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Candy
- Spices
Foods that should be carefully packed with your checked baggage
- Cranberry sauce
- Gravy (in a jar or can)
- Wine, champagne, sparkling apple cider
- Canned fruit or vegetables that have liquid in the can
- Preserves, jams and jellies
- Maple syrup
If you had to bring gravy or cranberry sauce on the plane, one article I read said to freeze it- then you’re not bound by the 3.4oz rule. Best bet though, double check the TSAs website.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Melissa
