The US may relax the limit on carry-on liquids for air travellers – a rule in place since 2006 – amid other changes at Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints aimed at “a more pleasant and efficient passenger experience”.
It comes as the Department of Homeland Security recently ended its no-shoes policy at all US airports, no longer requiring travellers flying domestically to remove their footwear at security checkpoints.
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the department may re-examine the limits carry-on liquids as she questions “everything the TSA does”.
“The liquids I’m questioning, so that may be the next big announcement is what size your liquids need to be,” she said at a press conference on 16 July 2025.
“We have put in place in TSA a multilayered screening process that allows us to change some of how we do security and screening so it’s still as safe.”
Under current TSA rules for commercial flights, travellers can carry 100ml or less of liquids, gels or aerosols per item in travel-sized containers within a resealable plastic bag in their carry-on bag.
Larger containers must go in checked baggage, however, there are exceptions for medications and baby formula.
The U.S. Travel Association’s Commission on Seamless and Secure Travel has proposed several changes for air travel, including carrying larger quantities of carry-on liquids, as the US eyes record visitation numbers ahead of a decade of major events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The limit on carry-on liquids was introduced to prevent liquid explosives from being brought onto planes, but advanced screening methods may mean this is no longer necessary.
Noem told The Hill she is “working with several different companies with technologies to give us competitive bids on what they actually do. You will see us pilot this at a couple of airports before it gets implemented nationwide.”
“It’s not certainly anything we’ll be announcing in the next week or two, but we’re working to see what we can do to make the travelling experience much better and more hospitable for individuals, but also still keep safety standards,” Noem said.
As the department reflected on initiating “a golden age of American air travel” on the Homeland Security website, Noem outlined her vision for domestic travel at the event.
“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 plane. It takes you one minute,” she said.
