Major airports got an upgrade—but most travelers are still stuck with tiny bottles
A traveler recently asked on Reddit whether they could bring a full-size bottle of baby formula through TSA, after an agent at a regional airport told them it violated the 3-1-1 rule. The confusion is understandable: the TSA quietly updated its liquid exemption policy in 2025, adding 11 specific categories that can now bypass the familiar “3.4 ounces in a quart-sized bag” restriction. But here’s the problem—this exemption only applies at select airports with advanced CT scanning technology, leaving most U.S. travelers (and TSA agents) uncertain about what’s actually allowed.
The inconsistency has created a nightmare scenario for families and medical travelers who thought they could finally pack normally, only to discover their departure airport hasn’t received the technology upgrade. Meanwhile, the TSA’s official messaging hasn’t clearly communicated this limitation, leading to thousands of confused passengers and overwhelmed security checkpoints across the country.
What Changed in 2025
The TSA’s updated liquid policy officially took effect earlier this year, designed to streamline security and reduce wait times at major hubs. The 11 exempt categories include prescription medications in original packaging, over-the-counter medications, ice and gel packs, breast milk or formula, baby food, liquid-filled teethers, live fish, biological samples, wet batteries, duty-free purchases made within 48 hours, and fresh eggs.
Yes, you read that correctly—fresh eggs. While most travelers won’t be carrying a carton through security, the inclusion highlights how the TSA expanded exemptions to cover medical, family, and specialty travel needs that were previously subject to the 3.4-ounce limit. The decision reflects years of advocacy from parent groups and disability rights organizations who argued that forcing travelers to dump medically necessary liquids created unnecessary hardship without meaningful security benefit.
The policy shift also acknowledges what security experts have known for years: the original 3-1-1 rule was more about public perception than actual threat prevention. Liquid explosives require precise mixing and handling that’s nearly impossible to execute in an airport bathroom, making the blanket restriction excessive for the vast majority of travelers. By targeting exemptions to legitimate medical and family needs, the TSA is attempting to balance convenience with genuine security concerns.
The Airport Technology Problem
Here’s where it gets complicated: these exemptions are currently limited to airports equipped with Computed Tomography (CT) scanners, the same 3D imaging technology used in medical facilities. As of late 2025, that list includes major airports like Atlanta (ATL), New York’s JFK, and Los Angeles (LAX). Most regional and mid-sized airports—which handle millions of domestic travelers—haven’t received the technology upgrade yet and continue enforcing the traditional 3-1-1 rule.
This creates a confusing patchwork system where what’s allowed depends entirely on your departure airport. A parent flying out of LAX can bring unlimited formula, but the same parent connecting through a smaller airport on the return trip might face confiscation. The TSA recommends checking your specific departure airport’s current policy before packing, but their website doesn’t provide an easily searchable database of which locations have CT scanners.
The technology rollout has been slower than anticipated due to budget constraints and installation complexity. CT scanners cost approximately $300,000 per unit and require extensive staff training to operate correctly. Smaller airports with limited federal funding are understandably prioritizing runway maintenance and air traffic control upgrades over passenger convenience features, meaning some locations may not see CT scanners for another five to ten years.
Adding to the confusion, even airports with CT scanners may not have them installed at every checkpoint. A major hub might have advanced technology at Terminal A but traditional X-ray machines at Terminal B, creating inconsistent experiences for passengers connecting through the same facility. Reddit travelers report conflicting instructions from TSA agents within the same airport, suggesting that even security personnel aren’t fully trained on the new policy variations.
International Flights Still Follow Old Rules
Even if you’re departing from a CT-equipped airport, the exemption does not apply to international connecting flights. This means travelers heading overseas need to prepare for stricter enforcement at foreign security checkpoints, where the original EU liquid restrictions (100ml maximum) remain standard. Reddit’s travel community frequently warns about this disconnect, with multiple reports of travelers losing expensive toiletries at European airports after breezing through U.S. security.
The international discrepancy is particularly frustrating for families with infants on long-haul flights. A parent can bring unlimited formula through JFK security, but if their itinerary includes a connection through London Heathrow or Paris CDG, they’ll face the traditional EU limit at the European checkpoint. Since most international flights involve connections, the practical benefit of the U.S. exemption becomes minimal for overseas travelers.
This also creates problems for duty-free shopping. Travelers purchasing liquids at airport shops after clearing U.S. security may forget that their connecting airport will confiscate unsealed bottles. The TSA’s 48-hour duty-free exemption only applies within U.S. security zones, meaning that bottle of French perfume bought at Charles de Gaulle won’t make it through your connection in Newark unless it’s properly sealed and documented.
What This Means for Most Travelers
Until CT scanners reach smaller airports nationwide, the 3-1-1 rule remains the safest assumption for domestic travel. The TSA’s rollout timeline hasn’t been publicly specified, meaning budget-conscious travelers at regional hubs could be waiting years for these upgrades. Meanwhile, the exemptions already in effect provide meaningful relief for specific groups: parents traveling with infants, passengers managing chronic conditions requiring liquid medications, and anyone transporting medical supplies no longer need to navigate the tiny-bottle shuffle at major airports.
One practical workaround gaining traction on Reddit’s onebag community is to research your departure airport in advance. A quick check of the TSA’s airport-specific guidelines can confirm whether you’ll benefit from the new exemptions or need to stick with the original restrictions. Travelers booking flights should consider which airports are on their itinerary and plan their packing accordingly, especially if traveling with children or medical needs.
For business travelers and frequent fliers, the best strategy is to maintain two packing systems: one optimized for CT-equipped airports and another following traditional 3-1-1 limits. This allows flexibility regardless of which airport you end up flying from, though it adds complexity to an already frustrating process.
The Bigger Picture: Security Theater vs. Real Safety
The 2025 update reflects a broader shift in TSA policy toward risk-based screening. By ending the mandatory shoes-off requirement in July and exempting medically necessary liquids, the agency is acknowledging that blanket restrictions created more hassle than security benefit. Advanced scanning technology can detect actual threats without forcing parents to dump formula or diabetic passengers to repackage insulin.
Still, the uneven rollout means most travelers won’t experience these improvements anytime soon. Until your local airport gets upgraded scanners, that quart-sized bag isn’t going anywhere. The frustration among travelers is palpable on social media, with many questioning why the TSA announced policy changes before ensuring airports could actually implement them.
Critics argue the agency should have waited for nationwide CT scanner deployment before publicizing exemptions, avoiding the confusion and disappointment that comes from inconsistent enforcement. Others point out that the TSA’s communication strategy—focused on major hub travelers who read official press releases—ignored the millions of Americans who fly through smaller airports and don’t follow federal agency announcements.
The situation also highlights the growing divide between premium and budget travel experiences in America. Passengers flying through major coastal hubs enjoy streamlined security and modern conveniences, while those using regional airports face outdated technology and longer wait times. As airlines increasingly route traffic through mega-hubs, smaller airports lose both passenger volume and federal funding, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of inequality.
Traveler’s Checklist: What You Can Do Before Your Next Flight
- Check your departure airport: Visit TSA.gov to confirm whether your airport has CT scanners and qualifies for the 11-item exemption
- Pack medications in original packaging: Prescription bottles with your name ensure smooth screening, even at airports without updated tech
- Assume 3-1-1 applies internationally: Foreign airports haven’t adopted U.S. exemptions; pack accordingly for connecting flights
- Bring documentation for baby supplies: While formula and breast milk are exempt, having a boarding pass showing you’re traveling with an infant helps avoid confusion
- Don’t rely on exemptions at small airports: Regional hubs and budget carrier terminals likely still enforce the original liquid limits
- Download the MyTSA app: Real-time updates on your specific airport’s policies and current wait times
- Consider shipping liquids ahead: For extended trips, mailing full-size toiletries to your hotel avoids all security hassles
- Pack empty reusable bottles: Fill them after clearing security to stay hydrated without buying overpriced airport water
The TSA’s 2025 liquid exemptions represent genuine progress for families and medical travelers—but only if you’re flying through the right airport. For everyone else, those travel-sized bottles are still your best friend, at least until the next round of security upgrades reaches your local terminal.