This morning, I came across an article from this site about the 3-ounce liquid rule at airports and thought it might be of interest to some of our readers.
TSA Hints at Ending 3-ounce Liquid Rule—Here’s What Travelers Should Know
New technology and policy shifts may let travelers bring larger liquid containers through checkpoints. By Michael Cappetta, Published on July 21, 2025
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is evaluating whether to increase the volume of liquids that can be brought in carry-on luggage.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said the liquid rules could be “the next big announcement.”
- Currently, liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or less for carry-on bags.
The nightmare of traveling with liquids could soon be a thing of the past.
From ensuring liquids are in the proper container and size to removing them from a bag when necessary, liquids can cause harrowing delays or even additional screenings. However, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem recently indicated that the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) liquid rules may soon follow the same path as its shoes-off policy, which the agency ended earlier this month.
“But I will tell you, I mean the liquids, I’m questioning. So that may be the next big announcement: what size your liquids need to be,” Noem said during an interview at a summit with News Nation and The Hill. She added: “Well, hopefully the future of an airport where I’m looking to go is that you walk in the door with your carry-on suitcase, you walk through a scanner and go right to your flight.”
When asked by Travel + Leisure to comment on Noem’s remarks, the TSA left the door open to change.
“Secretary Noem and TSA are constantly looking for ways to enhance security, and improve the travel experience for the public,” a spokesperson for the TSA told T+L. “Any announcements on policy changes will be made through official channels.”
Currently, the TSA requires travelers flying with carry-on luggage to limit liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols to 3.4 ounces or less and ensure they fit in a quart-sized resealable bag (with some exemptions for medically-necessary liquids, including breast milk and baby formula). Travelers may then need to take their liquids out and place them separately in a bin during screening.
Travelers who are part of the agency’s expedited security screening program, TSA PreCheck, are still subject to the 3.4-ounce liquid rule; however, they do not need to remove these items from their luggage during the screening process.
The TSA, however, has started rolling out new technology at airports across the United States: computed tomography, or CT scanners. These machines create a more detailed 3D image during the screening process, allowing all travelers to keep laptops and liquids in their bags. The technology is also being explored globally in international airports, such as the United Kingdom’s London Gatwick Airport (LGW), according to TravelPulse Canada.
However, despite Noem’s comments, it may be years before travelers can take large liquids in their carry-on bags—as in potentially not until 2040, when the TSA anticipates having CT units fully deployed nationwide.
The absolute easiest way to travel with liquids is to put them in checked luggage, where there are no size limits.”
As mentioned above, it may be a long time before these changes take effect and other countries adopt the same new policy.
Tonight is Quiz Night, but we expect the questions for us will be as difficult as last week, when they centered around South African history. The majority of the participants are South African or foreigners who’ve lived here for decades. Nonetheless, we always have a good time commiserating with our teammates and other attendees.
We’ll be back with more tomorrow.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, July 22, 2015:
