# Aerosol cans on airplanes

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 13, 2001, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189 "2001-10-13T02:52:42Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Sir\_Dirx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Sir\_Dirx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Dirx)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189/1 "2001-10-13T02:52:42Z")

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A friend of mine is taking to the skies tomorrow morning, and she’s apprehensive about taking her hairspray in her carry-on luggage (she’s afraid they may not allow it, as it could be considered dangerous due to its flammability). So she says she’d feel much better overall just leaving it in her suitcase in the baggage compartment. The thing is, neither of us knows whether it can handle the pressure change or not in there. So what’s the scoop? Will it do just fine, or will the pressurized contents make it explode?

Dirx

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**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189/2 "2001-10-13T03:22:01Z")

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I don’t know the answer as regards an aerosal can in checked luggage, but they will not allow it in carry-on luggage.

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**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189/3 "2001-10-13T03:23:33Z")

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Well, after rummaging around for a while, the best I can do is tell you (a) don’t take it in the cabin because sudden decompression can cause it to explode, and (b) some planes have pressurized baggage holds, and some don’t.

[http://www.time.com/time/europe/timetrails/lockerbie/lock890109.html](http://www.time.com/time/europe/timetrails/lockerbie/lock890109.html)

> [@](#):
>
> Since the cargo holds in a 747 are pressurized after takeoff along with the cabin, the barometer could detect this change and start the timer.

She should probably just call the airline and ask them. Or get pump hairspray.

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**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189/4 "2001-10-13T03:26:45Z")

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Traveler’s tip: Anything that you think might not handle the lower pressure (such as **pens** , toothpaste, etc.) put in Zip-Loc bags. That way, if it leaks it doesn’t get all over your stuff.

I’ve packed things similar to hairspray before in the checked luggage, never with any incident.

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**Author:** ![Sir\_Dirx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Sir\_Dirx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Dirx)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2001, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/aerosol-cans-on-airplanes/87189/5 "2001-10-13T03:30:38Z")

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Thank you all for your very informative responses. She’s decided to take your advice, **Anthracite** , and put it in a ziploc in her checked baggage.

Dirx