TSA reinforces liquid limits at least until 2040

Rumor has it that liquid limits for carry-on luggage on planes are going to change, and they might — but not until 2040.

The current rule set by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows for travel-sized containers that are 3.4oz (100ml) or less of liquids, gels or aerosols.

Also known as the “3-1-1” rule, the limits date back to 2006 when terrorists in the UK attempted to smuggle liquid explosives onto planes. The restriction was only meant to be temporary, but it still remains nearly 20 years later.

In 2022, there was actually a shift in UK airports as new scanners began to roll out, allowing for as many liquids as desired in containers up to two liters thanks to Computed Tomography (CT) units that can determine liquids differently.

While a few smaller airports have implemented the new technology, the bigger airports fell behind government-imposed deadlines. Regardless, it was announced in June that the 100ml limit was to stay in place whether or not the airport had the advanced technology.

There might be hope for a higher liquid limit in the near future for Europe, but in the United States, it won’t happen any time soon.

“TSA is still deploying Computed Tomography (CT) units that are capable of screening larger sizes of liquids, however, the agency will not be able to change the current 3-1-1 liquids rule for some time to come, because there are about 2,000 screening lanes in about 430 airports,” a TSA spokesperson confirmed to Travel + Leisure.

“We are anticipating that it may not be until 2040 that we have CT units fully deployed across the nation and have the capability of changing the requirement across the system.”

So if you’re hoping to bring larger liquids on the plane, you’ll have to wait about 16 years.