Risks of Wearing Perfume on Airplanes

Choosing the Right Perfume for Travel

Knowing what perfume to wear under what circumstances or settings is sometimes tricky. Often it's easier to know what to wear to work or on date night than what to wear when traveling.

How do you choose a perfume for when traveling on a plane or train?

Luckily there are quite a few options. But first let's take a look at the factors to consider before you rush out and buy a new scent.

Where Are You Going?

Since there's a 100ml restriction when it comes to traveling with any kind of liquid, it's best to buy a smaller bottle of perfume. There's an alternative and I'll talk about that in a moment.

UK Airport Security and Airline Regulations for Perfume

In the UK, airline regulations require all liquids—perfume, toiletries, and other liquids—in your hand luggage to be packed in one clear quart-sized plastic bag, with each perfume bottle or container being 100ml or less. These rules are enforced by airport security and align with the UK government's liquid restrictions for air travel.

Certain restrictions may apply on international flights, and regulations can vary between airlines and countries, so always check airline rules and regulations before your flight.

Packing Perfume in Checked and Carry-On Luggage

Perfume bottles can also be packed in checked luggage or checked baggage where larger sizes are allowed. However, make sure to use bubble wrap, a packing cube, or a protective layer to prevent breakage from rough handling.

When packing perfume in carry-on luggage, consider using a smaller container or solid perfume to comply with regulations and avoid spills. Perfume containers should be tightly sealed and can be carried in either carry-on bags or checked bags but must be declared if required by airport security.

Duty-Free Perfume and Airport Security

If you bring duty-free perfume or other duty-free items purchased at duty-free shops, these can be carried on planes if they are sealed and you keep the proof of purchase until your final destination.

Wearing Perfume on a Flight

When wearing perfume on a flight, remember that strong scents or a strong smell can cause discomfort, allergic reactions, or respiratory symptoms to other passengers, especially in the confined space of planes. Flight attendants may ask passengers to refrain from spraying perfume if it bothers other passengers.

Medical Conditions and Packing Tips

If you have medical conditions or need to bring medical equipment or medications, keep them in their original packaging for easier inspection at airport security. Packing perfume and other liquids in a plastic bag or clear plastic bag will help facilitate security checks. Packing perfume and other toiletries in a packing cube will help organize your carry-on luggage and contain spills.

Comfort and Convenience

Bringing your favorite scent or favorite fragrance when traveling can give you comfort and a sense of familiarity during flights and at your final destination. If you want to bring perfume, check if perfume is allowed in your hold luggage or checked baggage and always follow the rules for taking liquids on planes and flights.

Solid perfume is a convenient option for air travel as it's not subject to liquid restrictions. Always consider your fellow passengers when wearing perfume or bringing strong scents on a plane, as some people may have sensitivities or medical conditions that can be triggered by fragrances.

Travel Tips for Different Destinations

If you're heading to the Mediterranean this summer, buying a perfume that works for daytime is a good idea. Daytime perfumes are great for traveling.

When traveling to a cooler summer destination or on a cruise, you may only want to bring one bottle of fragrance. After all, you'll probably spend more time indoors or in public areas on your cruise ship.

I often only bring one bottle of perfume when I cruise.

Intense Perfume vs. Mellow Perfume

What are the benefits of choosing a less intense perfume?

Not all of us like to smell strong perfumes when traveling. You can compare it to invading someone's space.

Think about it this way. When you're a non-smoker or vaper you probably find the smell of tobacco or vaping fumes offensive.

Perfumes work the same way. Many of us find certain smells less than pleasant. Don't forget our sense of smell is linked to our cognitive function.

It's unclear why some favour one smell over another. A recent study shows scents are often related to our rapid warning system. A stronger scent makes us more alert. Feeling relaxed is often better when traveling.

There's also a genetic link when it comes to how we perceive smells.

We should also not ignore the fact some of us can have reactions to certain scents. Did you know rosemary essential oil in perfume can trigger a seizure in individuals with epilepsy?

Personally I never wear perfume with rosemary when I know I'll be in a confined space. An airplane is the perfect example of that.

Essential Oils In Perfume Which Are Offensive to Some

Top of the list of offensive essential oils in confined spaces is patchouli. Of course it depends on the blend of the overall fragrance but patchouli is one of those oils that can be perceived as offensive.

Vetiver is another essential oil many find offensive when it's highly concentrated.

My personal pet hate is tea tree oil. Of course you're not likely to find tea tree oil in perfume perfumes. However it's best not to use it on airplanes as it's associated with motion sickness.

Cheap or duped perfumes are also likely to cause negative reactions. Unlike branded perfumes, cheap alternatives are packed with oils that are poor quality copies of natural essential oils.

So when they break down in any environment they won't smell pleasant for as long. Cheap perfumes are also full of alcohol that dries out your skin.

Alternative to Perfumes

I have recently switched to using body lotion as an alternative to perfume.

It solves two main problems you encounter when flying.

First, it solves the problem of only being allowed to bring 100ml bottles. Less to worry about when you're packing your cabin bag.

Instead of packing your main perfume in your hand luggage you can pack it in your suitcase.

What I like is that many gift box sets come with a mini-me bottle of fragrance. That's the perfume bottle I put in my carry-on bag.

When you fly long haul your skin will show signs of dehydration. When you have body lotion easily accessible you can top up your moisture level and smell great too.

Thirdly, putting on lotion is less invasive than spraying perfume on other passengers.

Let's find out which are the best perfumes for air travel.

Best Perfumes For Air Travel

CLEAN Classic Warm Cotton Eau de Parfum

Flying can be stressful.

One of the most comforting smells to all of us is probably the feeling of cleanliness. It's a smell that's hard to describe because it's more than a scent. I honestly believe it's a feeling.

If you like the feeling of clean and comfort you'll love Clean Classic Warm Cotton.

This fragrance is best described as a warm hug. Instantly recognisable and easy to wear. It won't offend anyone and will make you feel great too.

The perfect fragrance when you want to feel fresh and "comforted" at the same time.

Clean Classic comes in a beautiful classic bottle that's not over the top. Many reviews say Clean Classic Warm Cotton smells like laundry detergent. I don't agree with that.

This fresh scent has so much more to offer than the scent of fresh laundered sheets. Also great for spraying on your pillow when you can't sleep.

HERMÈS Twilly d'Hermès Eau de Parfum

Many would probably say the addition of ginger to Hermes Twilly makes it too spicy for confined spaces.

I have to disagree. What makes Hermes Twilly such a great perfume for traveling is its powderiness. If you like you can say this is a soft perfume that you can almost touch. Tuberose has been added and I think this only makes the fragrance better. Add to that warm spices and hints of vanilla and you have a fragrance that's the perfect blend of high and low notes.

If you like, all the notes of Twilly meet in the middle and form the perfect blend. Sweet music for almost any occasion including travel.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

Warming fragrances are great for any kind of travel or making a good first impression.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh is one of the more versatile fragrances to hit the market in recent years.

Before I tell you more about Eau So Fresh, a word of warning. There are many copycat perfumes out there that claim to be just as good.

Recently I have come across several of them including one called Dossier. I think the other one I had the misfortune to encounter was called Divina.

My advice to you is to buy the real deal. If you want a fragrance packed with warm sunshine that gives you freshness and longevity thanks to plum and cedarwood, only Marc Jacobs Eau So Fresh will do.

The other two quickly fade away and leave a strong almost antiseptic smell behind.

Moschino Fresh Couture

It wouldn't have been too long ago that you I would have just associated Moschino with accessories and shoes.

But after being gifted a bottle of Moschino Toy 2 Pearl I decided to explore Moschino's range of perfumes. Was I impressed?

Okay, I am not an easy person to impress but I am a Moschino convert.

Not only do I have Toy 2 Pearl in my collection but I have also added Fresh Couture.

Fresh Couture is a fresh scent that almost sparkles when it comes out of the bottle. What I like is that it doesn't overpower its surroundings. Very few fresh perfumes have mastered this art.

It confirms what I have always known - mandarin is a much fresher citrus scent than other citrus notes.

At the heart of this scent you find raspberries, osmanthus and peonies. Let it linger and you pick up on hints of a forest after a rain shower. White patchouli and ambros add cleanliness and purity. Compared to purple patchouli, white patchouli smells of minty freshness.

Great for travel or just as an everyday perfume.

Best Colognes For Men

Burberry Touch For Men

Okay, here we go with the heavenly freshness of mandarines.

Mandarines make the most amazing opening statement as far as Burberry Touch goes.

I thought the sudden burst of mandarin oil would overpower the fragrance. But as it faded away I picked up on spicy pepper blended with woody cedar for warmth.

Yes, this is super fresh but it has so much more to offer. You need the spiciness of pepper and nutmeg.

Burberry Touch is a great perfume for men. Not only for travel. I think it's a great fragrance for meet and greets and even if you work in a sales environment.

I like that it keeps you alert. A great fragrance from one of the big perfume brands. This is a fragrance that has so much to offer once you get past the initial burst.

Paco Rabanne Invictus Aqua

Marine notes are at the heart of this fragrance. It offers so much more than that.

Yuzu - a Japanese lemon - is the first note you encounter. This is quickly followed by pink pepper and grapefruit. I'm not sure in which order they appear but they quickly make an appearance.

All men's fragrances need what I like to call a deeper or darker addition. Invictus Aqua gets this from violet leaf.

Take your time and let the scent linger. It won't be long before you pick up on scents of guaiac wood blended with ambergris and golden amber.

I know we are talking about travel on this page but I like to add a personal opinion. This is a good date night perfume for first dates.

This is not a perfume any woman will forget in a hurry. Don't underestimate it.

Prada L'Homme L'eau

What makes Prada L'Homme L'eau refreshing? When you look at the blend of this fragrance you have to ask yourself what makes this fragrance perfect for when travelling on an airplane.

Geranium is at the top of the list of essential oils. I wouldn't normally call geranium refreshing but when I caught my first whiff of L'Homme Léau I realised Prada had once again worked its magic. The geranium used in this men's fragrance must be lemon-scented geranium. There is a clear presence of lemon and neroli. Amber and Iris add interest making the fragrance refined and slightly seductive. A hint of the mysterious perhaps.

Would I want to sit next to a man on a plane who is wearing this fragrance? Oh, yes please - I would not mind at all…

Dior Homme Cologne

Dior Homme cologne was launched in 2005.

Since then the popular fragrance has had many updates. The most recent re-invention of Homme cologne was in 2013 when it was reworked by perfumer Francois Demachy.

You can say he brought this top fragrance up to date making it perfect for the modern man. Not only does it work well when travelling but it's also a great fragrance for the office.

Grapefruit blossom makes the opening statement. Grapefruit blossom is different from orange blossom. It's less heavy and feels more cloudy. Just what you want when travelling.

Other notes in this fragrance include musk and bergamot. Overall Dior Homme cologne is a men's fragrance with softness, depth and longevity.

Summary and Travel Perfume Tips

Lots to think about on this page. Remember the more versatile a fragrance is the more you can use it.

Buying perfume more often is better than buying a large bottle that ends up sitting on the shelf. Perfumes have a shelf life. If you're flying to a sunny destination it's a good idea to buy a perfume that works well for travel and daytime use when on holiday.