Can You Bring a Metal Water Bottle on a Plane?

While we all try to live a more sustainable lifestyle, sometimes air travel seems unavoidable. I recently took a flight to visit family and wanted to take my stainless steel water bottle with me for the journey but before I left, I researched whether you can bring a metal water bottle onto a plane with or with liquid.

You can bring metal or stainless steel water bottles on to plane in both the carry on and checked luggage. When carrying in hand luggage, water bottles must be empty to pass through airport security as liquids of 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) or greater per item are prohibited.

So the short answer is yes you can, bringing your water bottle on flights is allowed but you do need to be careful around passing airport security with liquids.

As you know I do like to get into the detail, so the information below is the result of my recent research into the topic as well as some tips to ensure a smooth experience during your air travel. After all, navigating airline regulations regarding carry on items can be confusing.

Before we do get into the detail I have written a couple of other articles about stainless steel water bottles which you might like to read next.

• Are Stainless Steel Water Bottles Safe? Explore the facts
• Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel Water Bottles

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Airline Policies about Bringing Metal Water Bottles

Before packing your metal water bottle, it’s essential to understand the policies of the airline you are flying with.

It’s now commonplace to allow passengers to bring water bottles with them on the plane however before travelling I’d recommend that you contact your chosen airline in case there are any odd restrictions in place.

In most cases, this can be done on their website.

Air Travel Security Screening Procedures

If you’ve not flown on a plane before then the security hall at the airport can feel like a very daunting place where everyone else apart from you seems to know what they are doing.

Personally, I find the security halls at Gatwick and Heathrow in the UK both noisy and confusing so it’s worth being prepared for what is going to happen.

The concept is fairly simple, you need to place all loose personal items into one of the bins provided and then go through the body scanner. Your personal items, including your water bottle, are then sent through an x-ray scanner where they are checked by a security officer. It will take a couple of minutes to pass through the machine.

When it comes to taking your stainless steel water bottle, or bottles of any material, through airport security there are two things to be aware of:

1. Your water bottle must not contain liquid – so must be empty.
2. Your water bottle must be placed in the bin and scanned with your other personal items.

Remember, the security personnel is primarily concerned with identifying potential threats, and a full water bottle might raise suspicions during screening due to its density.

To avoid any confusion or delays, make sure to empty your bottle before reaching the security checkpoint.

Once you clear the screening, you can refill it at a water fountain or purchase water from a vendor inside the secure area.

TSA Water Bottle Rules

In the US The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific rules that you need to follow about bringing water bottles through airport security. Here’s what you need to know:

• You can bring an empty water bottle through security.
• You can bring a full water bottle containing liquids through security if it is 3.4 ounces (10millilitresrs) or less in size.
• You can bring a larger water bottle containing liquid through security if it is packed in your checked luggage.

If you bring a full water bottle that is larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) in size, you will need to throw the liquid away before going through security. If you need to you could also purchase a bottle of water after you have passed through security.

In the UK (as with most European countries), the government set the rules, but they are identical to those used in the US.

Checklist for Traveling with a Stainless Steel Water Bottle

With a little planning and awareness, you can enjoy the convenience and sustainability of carrying a metal water bottle on a plane so here is a handy guide for your next flight.

Know the Rules about Carry On

Check the specific policies of the airline you are flying with regarding carrying liquids in metal water bottles as checked luggage rules can differ from carry on. Knowing the rules in advance will prevent any surprises or inconveniences at the airport and as you board the plane.

Empty Your Water Bottle First

To avoid unnecessary delays and potential issues during the security screening, ensure that your metal water bottle is completely empty of liquid before reaching the checkpoint. Drink or pour out any remaining liquids, or gels, including water, to comply with the regulations.

Stay Hydrated on the Airplane – Keep a Full Bottle

Once you are past security, take advantage of the opportunity to refill your metal water bottle before getting on the airplane.

Most airports have water fountains or designated water stations for refilling your bottle or bottles.

Alternatively, you can purchase beverages after the security screening to stay hydrated during the flight but do remember these are likely to be in plastic water bottles.

Common FAQs

Can I Bring a Thermos Flask on a Plane?

You can bring a thermos flask onto a plane however if you wish to take it with you as carry-on luggage it must be empty of liquid or smaller than 3.4 ounces or 100ml which would be unusual. If you’d prefer to pack it in your checked luggage, then it does not need to be emptied before travel.

Can We Carry Water Bottles in Checked Luggage?

As a general rule carrying a water bottle in checked luggage is allowed on flights whether the bottle contains liquids or not. If you are unsure it is always advisable to check with your airline before flying which you can generally do on their website.

If I ever travel with liquids in checked luggage I always take certain precautions. Firstly, ensure that the water bottles are tightly sealed to prevent any leakage during transport.

I also think it’s a good idea to place the water bottles in a plastic bag or you can wrap them in clothing to provide an extra layer of protection just in case leaks do occur.

What Size Empty Water Bottle Can You Take on a Plane?

In theory, you can take any size of water bottle including a stainless steel bottle as hand luggage onto a plane, the key is that to pass through airport security the bottle must be empty of liquids.

When I say in theory, I mean that the water bottle itself must not exceed the maximum dimensions for items of hand luggage. These dimensions do tend to differ between airlines so it’s worth checking if you have a very large water bottle to bring.

Note that the bottle can usually be filled at an airport water station once through the security hall.

Personally speaking, I never travel without my stainless steel bottle these days as they are so robust and light.

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