Navigating airport security can be a tense ordeal. Should you remove your shoes? Leave them on. Extract your laptop. What about your accessories? Is a smartwatch considered an electronic gadget? And the liquid guidelines. Well, that's a whole other story.
Although these inquiries may differ depending on the airport, there is one question we can confidently address for you. Surprisingly, coconuts are perfectly acceptable to carry through airport security.
In a recent video shared on X, Dr. Paul Saldino, a board-certified physician nutrition specialist, revealed his fondness for bringing a whole coconut—completely intact—with him through airport security.
"If you weren't aware of this fantastic tip, let me fill you in: you can actually carry coconuts onto airplanes," he mentioned. "I prefer not to drink water at airports since you can't bring water through security, but you can bring coconut water on the plane in a coconut. Coconut water is rich in magnesium, manganese, and various other beneficial nutrients."
Concluding the video, he disclosed that he had approximately 10 coconuts in his bag to stay hydrated during his flight.
A TSA spokesperson mentioned, "Coconuts and other solid food items are allowed in both checked and carry-on bags." However, there is a restriction highlighted on the TSA website: "Travelers flying from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands to the U.S. mainland are generally not permitted to transport most fresh fruits and vegetables to prevent the spread of invasive plant pests." Therefore, if you plan to travel with a coconut, the TSA recommends allocating extra time for airport security in case further screening is necessary.
Curious about his coconut-drinking method? Saladino shared a useful tip: "Each coconut has three 'eyes' on top, with one being soft. I always carry a metal straw to sip the coconut water through the soft eye."
Just so you know, the TSA permits passengers to carry corkscrews without blades on flights, which could come in handy for enjoying your coconut. Consider bringing an extra coconut to share with your seatmate as well, just in case.