Food

🧊 Dry ice

Rules differ by region: IATA permits dry ice on aircraft but limits it to 2.5kg (5.5 lbs) per passenger in packaging that allows CO₂ to escape. Rules are consistent across all regions, but each airline must approve it — always confirm before you fly.

💼 Cabin bag

Depends

Permitted up to 2.5kg (5.5 lbs) per passenger. Must be in ventilated packaging that allows CO₂ to escape. Declare to airline. Not all airlines permit it — confirm in advance.

✈️ Hold (checked)

Depends

Permitted up to 2.5kg (5.5 lbs) per passenger. Ventilated packaging required. Must be declared and airline must approve. A hazardous materials label is typically applied.

💡 Tip: Dry ice releases CO₂ gas as it sublimates — it must be in packaging that allows ventilation. Always notify the airline at check-in. Most airlines require advance notice and will apply a label to the bag.

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Airline-specific rules

🇺🇸American AirlinesMax 2.5kg (5.5lb) for perishables; packaging must allow CO₂ venting.

🇬🇧British AirwaysMax 2.5kg permitted with vented packaging.

🇺🇸DeltaUp to 2.5kg allowed for perishables; packaging must vent CO₂ and be approved.

🇩🇪LufthansaMax 2.5kg per passenger; must be in packaging that allows gas to escape.

🇦🇪EmiratesUp to 2.5kg for perishable goods; package must be vented and labelled as dry ice.

🇸🇬Singapore AirlinesMax 2.5kg per passenger; vented packaging required, labelled "dry ice" or "CO₂ solid".

Common questions

At the security checkpoint itself, dry ice is not the main concern — it will pass through if properly packaged. The critical rule is the airline declaration: if you check a bag containing dry ice without notifying the airline at check-in, the bag may be refused or removed from the hold after the fact. Always tell the airline you have dry ice before you hand your bag over.

The 2.5kg (5.5 lbs) per-passenger limit comes from IATA regulations and applies across all regions covered by this site. However, IATA sets a minimum standard and individual airlines may apply stricter limits or additional conditions. Some carriers require advance notice 24–48 hours before departure, and a small number do not permit dry ice at all — always confirm with your specific airline before you travel.

When you declare dry ice at check-in, the agent will typically weigh the dry ice, verify the packaging allows CO2 to vent, and apply a special handling label to the bag. The crew is then notified so the bag can be placed appropriately in the hold. Skipping this declaration step means the bag travels without the required label and the crew may not know to manage ventilation — a genuine safety concern.

Use a polystyrene or insulated cooler that has a small vent or imperfect seal — airtight packaging is not permitted because CO2 must be able to escape as the ice sublimates. Do not use a fully sealed hard container. Wrap food or other contents in a layer of insulation between them and the dry ice to prevent freezer burn, and check the quantity just before you leave for the airport since dry ice sublimates quickly.