The Unexpected Appetizer TSA Allows On Planes That Could Be An In-Flight Game Changer

If you're like the average flier, you probably dream of sitting in first class, with the five-star service, fancy food, and full-reclining seats. Even if you don't have thousands to spend on an upgraded seat, you can treat yourself to a taste of the first-class experience by packing your own in-flight charcuterie board. Think of it as a bougie Lunchables, inspired by the cheese boards served at the best get-togethers. Even with an assortment of fun and festive ingredients, charcuterie boards are generally given the okay to fly, according to TSA's rules.

The government agency confirmed this in a punny Instagram post. When someone asked if they can bring an assortment of cheeses and meats, the agency responded, "You better brie-live olive it can board the plane with you! So whatever solid food meats your needs go ahead and pack it," TSA wrote in the post's caption. Get past the wordplay and, in a nutshell (oops, we made our own pun), the agency says solid food items are allowed through the security checkpoint, giving you plenty of creative freedom when making your own spread. And, in case you're wondering how to transport a board of meats and cheeses without making a mess, the Instagram post shares a genius solution: Use a tackle box or similar plastic organizer to sort and store your ingredients until you're ready to eat.

Like with most charcuterie boards, you'll want to bring some crackers, cheeses, cured meats (or vegetarian alternatives), and some additional sweet and savory accents. However, you'll want to plan carefully when packing your board for a flight. For one, not all cheeses will fare well when left out of the refrigerator for hours. With this in mind, opt for aged and hard cheeses with low moisture content and skip anything too fresh or soft. At the same time, avoid any smelly cheeses that might stink up the plane and bother passengers near you.

Most crackers will do just fine when brought on the plane, though you may want to keep them in their original plastic packaging to prevent them from getting soggy or stale. Bread is another option that can elevate your snack board — think a sliced baguette or pieces of pita. Even if your bread is spongy or on the moist side, it should be allowed by TSA. Other ingredients you can include are olives and pickles (remove any liquid first), nuts, chocolate, sliced veggies, and fruit. Note that travelers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland aren't allowed to transport fresh fruits and vegetables, so consider dried fruit and dehydrated veggie snacks instead.

You might have an anything-goes approach when making a charcuterie board to be enjoyed at home, but not all ingredients will be allowed through security at the airport. First, watch out for liquids, which must abide by TSA's strict limits. This includes creamy condiments and dips, spreadable cheeses, hummus, honey, and any other item that can be spread or smeared. Even homemade guacamole is considered to be a liquid by TSA, so err on the side of caution and prioritize solids when organizing your board. For any must-have spreads and dips, keep them packed in a separate container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) in size.

Be cautious when bringing knives with your carry-on charcuterie, too. For obvious safety reasons, most knives won't be allowed through the TSA checkpoint, with the exception of butter knives and plastic cutlery. Sharp skewers may also get flagged in security, though wooden toothpicks are permitted. If your favorite way to enjoy a charcuterie board is with a glass of bubbly, be aware that wine and champagne are also subject to TSA's liquids rules. To up the party vibes without getting your belongings confiscated, play it safe and order a festive drink from the beverage cart after takeoff.