Air Travel
Taking Aromatherapy with You on the Plane
Taking your essential oils with you on a plane is not as simple as it once was. From the time (2006) when liquids on-board a flight first became known as a possible threat to passenger safety, government agencies at first banned all liquids to be carried on board planes, and then relaxed their restrictions slightly to allow for small amounts of liquids to be carried on a flight (there are still no restrictions on carrying previously permitted liquids in checked baggage, just in items carried on-board a plane).
The simplest way to take aromatherapy with you on-board a flight currently is to avoid these restrictions altogether and to just take essential oils that have already been absorbed into a tissue, wipe, handkerchief, cotton ball, wick, or a decorative clay or terra-cotta pendant, where they can be taken out and inhaled or used to wipe down a surface as needed.
If you still want to carry the essential oils or other liquids on the flight with you, it is best if you know the rules.
Carrying Liquids on U.S. Flights (3-1-1 Rule)
In the United States, the TSA has currently imposed what it calls the 3-1-1 rule for carrying liquids on board an airplane with you.
This rule states that all liquids must be in containers that hold 3 liquid ounces or less, all containers with liquids being carried on must be contained in 1 closed zip-top plastic bag that is 1-quart (or less) in size.
The zip-top bag must also be pulled out of carry-on bags to be screened separately when going through security. This rule embraces any type of liquid, lotion, paste, cream, or gel.
It does make a few exceptions for baby and medical supplies, but pretty much covers any type of essential oil, massage oil, liquid soap, shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, beverage, liquid or gelled food (such as jams and cake frosting), and even gel shoe inserts.
If you do not want to check your baggage, or desire to keep your essential oils or other liquids with you on board the plane, you may wish to condense these liquids into smaller glass or plastic containers in order to maximize the variety of liquid items you can carry with you. There is a few ways for doing this:
• Place essential oils in smaller 5 ml, or 5/8 dram glass vials, using larger containers for oils you will use more often.
• Place lotions, soaps, shampoo, conditioners, and other personal care liquids, creams, and gels in smaller 1 oz. or 2 oz. containers.
• To bring a small amount of toothpaste with you, squeeze the desired amount of toothpaste into the corner of a small sandwich bag, and then twist the bag closed just above the toothpaste, and use a twist-tie or tie the bag in a knot to secure.
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