Yes, aerosols in hand luggage are allowed only for toiletries or medical items within the 100 ml rule; other spray cans stay out.
Prohibited
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On Rules
- 100 ml max per can; all cans fit one 1-L bag.
- Pump sprays count too; stick deodorant is fine.
- Non-toiletry aerosols blocked outright.
Cabin
Checked Baggage
- Toiletry or medical only; no spray paint.
- Each can ≤ 0.5 L; total per passenger ≤ 2 L.
- Protect the button with a cap or tape.
Hold
Airline/Region Notes
- US: FAA size caps 18 oz each, 70 oz total.
- EU/UK: 100 ml still used at many airports.
- Some airports trial CT scanners with tweaks.
Check before you fly
What Counts As An Aerosol In Cabin Bags
Aerosols are pressurized cans that release a product through a valve. In security screening they sit in the same bucket as liquids and gels. That means your hairspray, dry shampoo, body spray, and deodorant spray all ride under the liquids rule. Pump mists and atomizers count the same for volume checks.
The catch is the product type. Personal care and medical aerosols have a path through screening in small sizes. Anything meant for cleaning, paint, adhesives, or pest control doesn’t. Those belong to the dangerous goods camp and will be taken off you at the checkpoint.
The 100 Ml Limit Still Applies
Across the US, EU, and UK, the cabin limit remains 100 ml per container with all items in a one-liter, resealable bag. Security may ask you to show the bag or remove it for screening. If the can says 150 ml, it won’t pass, even if half used. See the TSA’s 3-1-1 liquids rule for the US lanes.
Rules change as airports roll out CT scanners, yet many hubs still enforce the classic measurement. When in doubt, pack large cans in checked baggage and keep one travel size in the liquids bag. The UK hand luggage liquids guidance echoes the same size cap.
Aerosols That Don’t Get Through
Spray paint, solvent sprays, bleach sprays, insect killer, pepper spray, and tire inflators all fail the cabin test. They’re either flammable, toxic, or both. Security officers won’t let them fly in hand luggage.
Taking Aerosols In Your Hand Luggage: Rules That Matter
You can carry small personal care sprays provided each can is 100 ml or less. That includes hair spray, body sprays, antiperspirant sprays, and medical inhaler sprays. Pack them together in your quart-size bag.
Stick or solid deodorant is outside the liquids limit, so it can ride in any size. Roll-ons and gels fall under the 100 ml cap. If you depend on a prescription aerosol, bring the script or a label and tell the officer if asked.
Quick comparison of common cans
| Aerosol Type | Carry-On | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Hair spray / body spray | Yes, ≤ 100 ml in liquids bag | Yes, ≤ 500 ml each; cap on |
| Deodorant spray | Yes, ≤ 100 ml | Yes, size-capped; cap on |
| Medical inhaler sprays | Yes, small size; declare if asked | Yes, follow size caps |
| Spray paint / solvent aerosols | No | No |
| Insecticide / pepper spray | No | No |
| Air duster cans | Usually no | Often no; check airline |
| Sunscreen spray | Yes, ≤ 100 ml | Yes, size-capped |
Why Some Aerosols Are Banned In The Cabin
Pressurized cans can vent or ignite when heated or damaged. Cabin rules draw a line between personal care products and sprays designed as propellants, cleaners, or weapons. Even tiny cans of spray paint don’t pass the intent test.
Flammability And Pressure Risks
Most cosmetic aerosols use flammable propellants. A travel size can still pose a fire risk if it leaks or sprays unintentionally. That’s why caps matter and why the bag stays small.
Misuse And Nuisance Concerns
Some sprays can irritate eyes or lungs in a tight cabin. Security avoids that risk by blocking anything not clearly for personal care or medical use.
Checked Bag Rules For Aerosols
Bigger cans sit safely in the hold with strict size caps. Toiletry and medical aerosols are fine when each can is 500 ml or less and your total per person stays within 2 liters. Fit a cap or cover the nozzle to stop accidental spraying. The TSA notes the FAA caps of 18 oz per can and 70 oz total on its deodorant entry.
Spray paint, bear spray, wasp killer, and any can with a hazard label beyond a simple personal care symbol don’t belong in checked bags either. Those get flagged as dangerous goods. If you need a specialty spray at your destination, buy it there.
Packing Tips That Save Time
- Snap on the safety cap or wrap the button with tape.
- Place cans upright in a shoe or a side pocket to limit movement.
- Keep a printed list of what’s inside the liquids bag.
- Pack one spare travel spray in checked luggage in case the cabin bag gets pulled.
Regional Nuances And Edge Cases
Airports are updating scanners, and some trials change how you present liquids at the lane. That doesn’t mean the content rules vanish. If a can exceeds 100 ml, expect it to be stopped in the cabin.
Transit can add wrinkles. You might depart from a place that allows large liquids past security after screening, then connect through an airport that still follows the older setup. The larger can could be taken during transfer screening.
Sports And Camping Sprays
Aerosol sunscreen in 100 ml cans is fine in the cabin. Bear spray, mace, or camping gas cartridges are a hard no for both cabin and hold on most routes.
Cleaning And Tech Sprays
Compressed air dusters often contain propellants classed as hazardous. Leave them out of your hand luggage. Buy a small pump blower or pick up a duster at your destination.
How To Pack Hand Luggage To Speed Screening
Build a simple routine: liquids bag on top, laptop accessible, pockets empty. Place your aerosol bag in a tray by itself if asked. Label travel sprays with a marker so the can size is easy to read.
If a screener asks about a can, answer plainly and move on. Being ready trims delays for everyone and keeps your items with you.
Carry-On Aerosols: Size And Quantity Cheatsheet
These caps show the common limits set by regulators. Airlines can be stricter in their own policies.
| Region / Regulator | Carry-On Container | Checked Limits |
|---|---|---|
| United States (TSA/FAA) | ≤ 100 ml in 1-L bag; toiletries/medical only | Each ≤ 500 ml (18 oz); total ≤ 2 L (70 oz); cap on |
| European Union | ≤ 100 ml in 1-L bag; duty-free sealed if larger | Toiletry/medical only; follow 0.5 L per can and 2 L total |
| United Kingdom | ≤ 100 ml in 1-L bag at most airports | Toiletry/medical only; safety cap required |
Quick Answers To Common Packing Questions
Can you bring hair spray on board? Yes, a 100 ml travel can fits the liquids bag. Can you bring a 250 ml deodorant spray in the cabin? No, that size rides in checked baggage. Is a pump spray counted? Yes, the same volume rule applies.
Do you need a cap? Yes, for any spray in checked baggage. Is a refillable atomizer okay? Yes, if it’s 100 ml or less and packed with liquids. Do duty-free sprays bypass rules? They must stay sealed in the tamper-evident bag until the trip ends.
Sources And Fine Print
For the US lanes, start with the TSA liquids rule and the TSA deodorant aerosol page that lists the FAA size caps. For EU trips, see the Your Europe luggage restrictions. Flyers who want the technical line can scan the IATA passenger provisions that mirror the 0.5 L per can and 2 L total rule.