While cheese is allowed on planes, there are restrictions based on its consistency, as creamy cheeses are subject to TSA's liquid rules.
Here's a breakdown:
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Solid Cheeses: Hard cheeses like cheddar, Parmesan, and Swiss are generally permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage without restriction.
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Creamy Cheeses: Soft, spreadable cheeses like brie, goat cheese, cream cheese, and ricotta are considered liquids or gels by the TSA. Because of this, they are subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule for carry-on baggage. This means:
- Each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.
- All containers must fit in one quart-sized, clear, plastic zip-top bag.
- Each passenger is limited to one quart-sized bag of liquids, gels, and aerosols.
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Checked Baggage: There are no restrictions on the quantity of cheese (regardless of type) in checked baggage.
In summary: You can bring cheese on a plane. Just be mindful of the type of cheese and TSA liquid restrictions when packing your carry-on. Solid cheeses are fine, but creamy cheeses in containers larger than 3.4 ounces must go in your checked baggage.
