With the arrival of summer, the excitement for vacation planning is in the air. If your plans include flying with your cooler to reach your destination, it’s necessary to be aware of the current TSA screening guidelines that apply when traveling with a travel cooler box. For a smooth flight, it’s important to understand specific regulations regarding cooler contents, types, and sizes.
We have navigated the TSA regulations countless times, and we are here to share this information with you. So together, let’s dive right into our list of best coolers for travel, frequently asked questions, and a few mistakes to avoid, so you can grasp all the necessary details for flying with yours. In addition, we have chosen and reviewed a few coolers for the serious-minded traveler who wants to take food home to and from their destination. These coolers are commonly used by travelers for air travel, though acceptance depends on airline policies. And the large hard-sided coolers like those discussed below are typically checked rather than carried on.
Quick Overview the Best Travel Cooler Picks
Airline Size Limits and TSA Screening Considerations for Travel Coolers
Before we delve into the specifics of each cooler, it’s important to understand the regulations that apply when taking them aboard, particularly when considering large, hard-sided coolers as checked baggage.
For screening purposes, coolers are generally treated similarly to other checked bags, with most airlines requiring that a cooler’s total dimensions, width, height, and length combined do not exceed 62 linear inches. The coolers discussed are often used by travelers flying with checked baggage, though size and weight acceptance can vary by airline. To determine if a cooler meets this requirement, simply sum up its width, height, and length. If the total is 62 linear inches or less, the cooler usually falls within many airlines’ checked baggage size limits.
Additionally, there are also regulations regarding what items you may pack inside your travel cooler box, which we will explore in further detail shortly.
Deeper Dive into Best Travel Coolers
Without further delay, here are our top picks for travel-friendly coolers that often fly as checked luggage.
Best Overall
Roadie 48
Yeti
Founded in 2006, YETI Coolers emerged from a straightforward vision: to create a cooler for daily use that didn’t yet exist. Aimed at the serious outdoor enthusiast rather than the broad discount market, YETI set out to design a cooler that could withstand rigorous use in the outdoors and on the water. The company’s commitment to innovation was driven by real-world needs and experiences, not by market research. Today, YETI’s products are trusted companions for all your travel needs. YETI coolers are commonly used for air travel and can be packed in accordance with current TSA screening guidelines.
Pros
Yeti is a trusted name
Periscope™ handle hides away
Pressure-injected polyurethane Permafrost™ Insulation
Interlock™ Lid system
62 linear inches
Cons
33 pounds empty
Pricey
Best For A Bit Smaller
65QT Elite Wheeled Cooler
Pelican
Pelican started their journey in 1976, marking the inception of a company that rose as a leader in high-performance protective cases, temperature-controlled packaging solutions, and sophisticated portable lighting systems. Pelican is dedicated to their founding principles of quality and the vision set by Dave: to safeguard everything you hold dear. This Pelican cooler is often used as checked baggage.
Pros
Pelican is a trusted name
Multi-day ice retention
Pelican’s legendary lifetime guarantee
Press & pull latches
51.1 linear inches
Cons
Empty weight not provided
Some say it is “kind of heavy.”
Also pricey
Best To Keep Ice Longer
Cooler Ice Vault
Blue Coolers
Blue Coolers opened its doors in 2018. They are proud to offer premium quality at an affordable price to enhance your and your family’s experiences as you embark on your adventures. They cater to everyone from the avid outdoorsman and weekend adventurers to tailgaters and vacationers. Blue Coolers is confident in our products’ appeal and invites you to experience them. These coolers are commonly used for air travel when packed according to current TSA screening guidelines.
Pros
Keeps ice for up to 10 days
Heavy-duty wheels
Foldable metal handle
Lockable lid
62 linear inches
Cons
Fairly new company
36 pounds empty
Note: Product titles, images, and descriptions may differ as listings update. Details are for reference only; please verify on the live product page.
Packing Food in a Travel Cooler
When packing food in one of these coolers for a flight, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. Since we are talking about checked baggage, you are not required to follow the 3-1-1 rule set forth for carry-on bags. However, TSA provides general screening guidance for packing food and ice in checked baggage, which can vary by situation and screening location. Here is what TSA says:
TSA allows “meat, seafood, and other non-liquid food items in checked or carry-on bags and must have ice or ice packs. The ice or ice packs must remain completely frozen during screening.”
All coolers need thick walls and excellent insulation that will keep the ice frozen while your food is in the cargo hold. Firm latches, sealing rings, or freezer-type gaskets will help keep the cold in and prevent ice from melting for at least a few days.
At the security checkpoint, if your ice is beginning to melt, TSA officers may remove items that do not meet screening requirements. Don’t take that chance with poorly insulated walls.
Avoid These Common Oversights
Traveling with a travel cooler is a smart move, but it’s easy to overlook a few things. Here are key pitfalls to steer clear of when flying with a cooler:
- Overfilling Your Cooler: It’s easy to stuff your cooler beyond capacity. Airlines enforce strict limits on the weight and dimensions for checked luggage. But remember you may choose to pack heavier than 50 pounds and pay the overweight fee.
- Loose Packing Inside the Cooler: Ensure that all items within your travel coolers are tightly secured. Bungee cords or straps are a great way to keep the lid secure and decrease damage when the baggage crew throws your cooler around.
- Ignoring Airline and Destination Regulations: Always research the regulations for the airline and country you will fly to. Every airline can set its own baggage rules, and TSA screening rules apply separately to what’s allowed through security.
- Not Checking The TSA Forbidden Items List: When in doubt, always consult this comprehensive list of TSA’s prohibited items before packing your cooler. It can save you a lot of time, headaches, and hassles.
By dodging these common errors and planning ahead, your travel experience will be a breeze.
FAQ About Travel Cooler Boxes
You may have questions about the best cooler for checked luggage, so we compiled three frequently asked questions for your convenience.
What types of ice packs are good for travel?
You can take liquid frozen items and gel packs when you check in at the security checkpoint as long as they are frozen solid at the time of screening.
What features does a checked cooler need?
The best cooler for checked luggage is one that can be packed in line with current TSA screening guidelines and keeps the ice frozen. While wheels are not required for travel cooler boxes, they are helpful when checking your cooler for ease of movement. Retractable handles are also important as they will not get damaged in the cargo hold.
Does TSA allow dry ice?
When flying with a cooler, you can use dry ice instead of ice packs to keep your food, meat, seafood, and drinks cold. However, the FAA limits how much dry ice you can have in the cooler. You can only have five pounds of dry ice appropriately packed.
How do you pack a cooler for travel?
You can pack your cooler with several inches of ice or frozen gel packs, frozen juice boxes, or frozen water bottles. Block ice is better and keeps longer than ice cubes. Empty milk or water jugs are an excellent way to block ice, as you can fill them with water and freeze them before heading to the airport.
Can you check a cooler on a plane?
Yes, you can check a cooler on an airplane, but it has to meet TSA guidelines. Many airlines set a checked baggage size limit of 62 linear inches, while TSA screening focuses on the contents of the bag, and making sure no melted ice is in the cooler at the time you check in.
How many coolers can I take on a plane?
Each airline has slightly different regulations on how many coolers you can bring on a plane. A cooler is considered a checked bag, and some airlines will allow an extra bag for an additional fee.
What size cooler can you check on a plane?
Most airlines have a weight limit of 50 pounds. If you exceed, they may charge an overweight fee. So the weight is important to consider. Many airlines set a checked baggage size limit of 62 linear inches (length + height + width), while TSA screening focuses on the contents of the bag.
Can TSA take my cooler?
Indeed, TSA does have the authority to confiscate your cooler if necessary. However, it’s hoped they would only do this if they find prohibited items inside. Ideally, rather than taking the entire cooler, they would simply remove any items not permitted on the aircraft.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs, and troubleshooting on luggage, here are some additional posts about Luggage:
Conclusion
The best travel cooler for checked luggage is the one that matches your needs when flying to your destination. Steer clear of common mistakes many make when flying with a travel cooler box to ensure you reach your destination with your belongings intact.
Happy travels, my friends.