How to Travel With Flowers, Food and Other Perishables This Thanksgiving

Sending perishables on the plane can be a real pain, but with a bit of preparation, you can ship your turkey or bring home Mom’s cooking safe and sound. Since TSA guidelines state that most perishables are allowed in your check-in bag, it’s easier to keep food, flowers, and alcohol out of your carry-on. However, you still need to pack everything correctly. Here’s how you do it.

Packing Thanksgiving Flowers and Plants

Flowers can be transported on an airplane via your carry-on bag or checked bag. Flowers cannot be sitting in water due to the TSA’s liquid rule, but you can cut the stems and wrap your bouquet in a damp cloth to keep them from drying out. There are no flower limits permitted on domestic flights unless you’re traveling from Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Virgin Islands.

If you want to reduce the hassle of bringing fresh, gorgeous Thanksgiving bouquets to your family’s house for dinner, order online from Bouqs.com and choose same-day shipping.

Thanksgiving Perishables you Can’t Travel With

Some travelers have resorted to clever tricks to get their food approved by the TSA, but you shouldn’t risk it being thrown out. Once you’re at the airport, you can’t make arrangements to send your food unless you want to miss your flight. It’s always up to the TSA agent whether they want to throw out your perishables, so in this case, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

On an average day, you aren’t allowed to travel with the following perishables in your carry-on:

• High Alcohol Liquor: Anything over 70% proof will be thrown out, even if you haven’t cracked the seal. Some vodka, rum, absinthe, and whisky won’t be allowed at all.
• Canned Food: Although you can ship canned food if it’s under the 3-1-1 rule (3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters), most cans are over 3.4 ounces and will be thrown out.
• Vinegars, Honey, Oils: Special cooking oils and honey make great gifts, but since they’re closer to a liquid than a solid, you’ll need to put them in your checked bag.
• Liquid Foods (Gravy, Yogurt): Solid-formed yogurt or gravy is fine, but if they’re in liquid form, they’ll be thrown out. Ask an agent if you can place it in your carry-on.
• Creamy Cheese, Jams, Dips: Creamy or spreadable items are subject to the 3-1-1 rule and should be put in your checked luggage unless they’re under 3.4 ounces.

Packing Thanksgiving Food and Alcohol 

The TSA won’t stop passengers from traveling with frozen food on their checked luggage or carry-on, but check the airline’s guidelines whether they require it to be packed in dry ice. Most major airlines let you pack up to 5.5 pounds of dried ice if you pack it following TSA guidelines.

To pack a small number of frozen foods, place them in a soft-sided cooler pack and surround the food with ice packs. The ice packs have to be completely frozen at the time they go through the checking point, or your food will be rejected. For large amounts of foods (or small amounts taken on a long flight), use a leak-proof, vented container that’s lined and packed with dry ice.

You can take the following foods on an airplane provided you follow the 3-1-1 rule:

• Dried spices that are clearly labeled and unopened
• Dried goods, like beans, pasta, and grains
• Vacuum seals hard cheeses and meats.
• Fresh or frozen pizza
• Fresh eggs
• Baby formula or baby juice
• Cakes and pies
• Non-liquid cooked food
• Chocolates, candies, and breads
• Packaged snacks
• Tea leaves and coffee beans

Always inform the airport staff that you have a bag of frozen food that contains ice packs. The bag will be screened by an x-ray machine or by hand. Ensure the food is properly labeled.