Aromatherapy Associates has been enhancing customers’ lives with plant extracts and other raw materials since 1985.
Products like their Anti-Stress essential oil blend can help you endure traveling by plane. Surprisingly, these items are allowed on board as long as they are less than or equal to 3.4 oz (100mL) and properly labeled and packed in your carry-on bag.
Keep reading to learn what you can and cannot bring on board when traveling on a plane with Aromatherapy Associates products.
Common Questions about Taking Aromatherapy Associates on a Plane
Aromatherapy Associates still blends fragrances from their London laboratory. They believe in the healing benefits of essential oils. Their premium quality products are highly concentrated to help address your emotional and physical needs.
When traveling with Aromatherapy Associates products, it’s important to closely adhere to federal and international guidelines. These rules are in place for your safety and the safety of all other travelers.
Travel guidelines that I’ve found are sourced from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), part of the United State’s Homeland Security. But International airports, like Heathrow, have overlapping guidelines.
Can You Take Scented Candles on a Plane?
Solid scented candles are allowed in carry-on luggage. Gel candles are not allowed in your carry-on baggage.
Aromatherapy Associates candles are hand-poured into ceramic vessels using pure essential oils in vegan soy wax. If ordering their trio, it would help to keep them boxed during travel in order to prevent breakage.
Individual candles would be best surrounded by clothing items that will cushion the vessel, keeping it intact during your flight.
Can You Take Candle Lighters on a Plane?
Surprisingly there are some lighters that are allowed in-flight. According to the TSA, these lighters are allowed in carry on bags without special instructions:
- Disposable lighters
- Zippo lighters
- Lithium battery powered lighters
Note that these types of lighters are NOT permitted in checked bags, so if traveling with any of these three lighters, they must be in your carry-on or in your pocket. Only one lighter is allowed per person.
Some lighters are only permitted with special instructions:
- Arc lighters
- Plasma lighters
- Electronic lighters
- E-lighters
Generally, they can only be brought onto the plane with the battery removed or while in a protective case. The goal is to prevent them from activating while in flight. It would also help if there’s a safety latch on the lighter.
This TSA screen grab gives a detailed explanation:
Can You Take Wax Melts on a Plane?
Since wax melts are solid matter, they can be brought onto a plane. If I were traveling with them, I’d keep them in their original packaging, if possible.
Any item placed in luggage will need to be accessible to TSA workers. If they’re a gift, I wouldn’t wrap them until after I reached my destination.
Can You Take Essential Oils on a Plane?
Essential oils and similar liquids are allowed on the plane within specific guidelines. Anything that’s pourable or spreadable, must meet these guidelines. It’s called the 3-1-1- rule.
- 3: You’re allowed to place liquids/oils in containers that are 3.4 oz (100 mL) or smaller.
- 1: These containers must reasonably fit inside a resealable 1-quart bag. (i.e., Ziploc bag). The bag must close, it can’t be so stuffed with containers that it can’t be sealed. Instead of a Ziploc bag, you can also use a clear travel bag with a zipped closure.
- Either way, placing all of your containers in this one bag will lessen the time spent at the checkpoint screening.
- 1: Each passenger is allowed only one bag.
This video can illustrate the process for you:
While this is a TSA rule, it seems to be the case internationally as well. Japan’s Narita Airport and UK’s Heathrow airport illustrate the same guidelines.
Aromatherapy Associates’ makes small roll-ons with their essential oil blends that are perfect for travel.
Their De-Stress Mind roller ball can help you relax during take-off. It’s only 0.34 oz (10 mL), which means it can easily slide into your 3-1-1 liquids bag.
Even their bath and shower oils are small enough to pack in your carry-on luggage. Light Relax can help you de-stress with essential oils after arriving at your destination.
You can always bring an essential oils travel case with you and store them safely in the case once you pass your checkpoint.
Can You Take Oil Diffusers on a Plane?
Similar rules apply here. You can bring oils for your diffuser onto the plane as long as you adhere to the liquids rule.
In terms of diffusers, Aromatherapy Associates Atomizer is powered by a cord. Since the cord can be removed once fully charged, it also requires lithium ion batteries to operate. Luckily, the TSA suggests that such devices be packed in carry-on luggage. Heat isn’t used in this device, so there’s no concern for potential overheating while it’s packed away on the plane.
It’s also waterless, which is convenient when on the move. All you’d need is the Atomizer, and a bottle of essential oil, plus their diffuser cap. Your diffuser must be powered off during the flight, but it’ll be ready for you to use once you land.
Can You Take Reed Diffusers on a Plane?
Reed diffusers are also acceptable items to place in your carry-on luggage. Keep in mind that the oils you bring must still meet the 3-1-1 standards. You’d place the oils in the same bag as all of your other liquids.
Make sure that the lids are secure to avoid spillage. Also, if you make your own essential oil blends, you’ll need to legibly label your bottles. Oils used plus the amount in ounces and/or milliliters should suffice.
When storing essential oils they should be poured inside amber or cobalt blue glass bottles and sealed tightly. This not only protects them as you travel, but helps preserve your oils for long term use.
Additionally, I would suggest being mindful of flight etiquette. Fellow passengers might not appreciate the same essential oils that you find pleasing. You may want to refrain from using reed diffusers on the plane and instead use them in your hotel room or rental.
If you choose to use your reed diffuser on the plane, consider only using one or two reeds. The fewer reeds you use, the less intense the fragrance will be. Isolating the scent to your seating area would be most appropriate.
Can You Take Incense on a Plane?
Because incense is solid material, it can definitely be taken on a plane. I would make sure it’s packaged in a way that prevents the sticks or cones from getting broken or jostled around. The amount of care needed when packing also depends on the kind of sticks you’ll be taking with you.
Incense sticks with a bamboo core are usually sturdier. They’re unlikely to break if cushioned by your apparel.
Incense sticks without a wooden core are more delicate. Since they can break more easily, I would suggest taking extra measures to ensure they are protected during flight.
Once you pass through security, place bubble wrap around the package, if possible. If you don’t have any on hand, wrap an apparel item around the container, and then place that bundle in between layers of clothes. This way, if the bag is impacted on any of its sides, the incense should still remain intact.
Can You Take Air Fresheners on a Plane?
This can go either way. Gel air fresheners are not permitted in carry-on luggage. Solids are acceptable. Again, I wouldn’t package them up too tightly until after passing through the security checkpoint.
Similar to the reed diffusers, it can be tempting to use air fresheners on a place because it’s not an electrical or battery-powered device. It can seem harmless. But please remember that people respond differently to fragrances. If you must use air freshener on a plane, use a small amount and only in your seating area.
A Couple More Points about the TSA 3-1-1 Rule
Regardless of how much liquid is in a container, the decision of whether you can take it on the plane is made according to the amount listed on the product label. For instance, if you have a 9 oz container with only 1 oz of liquid in it, that bottle would likely be rejected by airport officials.
Remember to always be accommodating to TSA and other airport officers. It’s their job to help keep the nation safe.
Regardless of written guidelines, they make the final decision about what can or cannot be brought onto a plane. Items that don’t make the cut must be discarded. This can be disappointing but just remember that they’re just doing their job.
Lastly, always check with international carriers for specific rules about taking liquids or candles on a plane.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article has helped answer your questions related to knowing what to put in your carry-on luggage.
Traveling with liquids requires some planning. But overall, if you follow the advice in this post by bringing clearly labeled bottles within the restricted amounts, you’re less likely to run into any problems on travel day.
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