Let me paint you a picture: You’re shuffling barefoot through TSA with a laptop in one hand and a rotisserie chicken in the other. That is exactly what TikTok user @chloe.ggray did in a viral video that has racked up over 400k views and a whole lot of questions. Mainly being, can you actually bring a rotisserie chicken on a plane? And should you?
According to the TSA, you can bring a rotisserie chicken on a plane.
The answer to this question is generally yes. According to the TSA, solid foods — including a fully-cooked rotisserie chicken — are allowed in your carry-on, but the administration does request that it should be in a cooler or surrounded by fully frozen ice packs. Ultimately, “the final decision rests with the TSA officer on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint.” So Chloe wasn’t technically breaking any rules, she was just very committed to the bit. As long as the chicken isn’t trying to board with liquids, you’re good to go.
But should you?
Legalities aside, we now raise the question: should you bring a rotisserie chicken on to your flight? We all know that on an airplane, every scent is intensified and shared whether you like it or not. Some foods are blacklisted for this very reason — Tuna, egg salad, garlic.
So, where does rotisserie chicken fall on the scale of offensiveness? It’s not as pungent as tuna salad, but it cannot be considered scent-neutral. It is warm, savory, and greasy, which would definitely be noticeable if you were seated next to it for a few hours.
Not to mention the actual act of eating a rotisserie chicken. Imagine you are two hours deep in your cross-country flight, there is a screaming baby behind you, someone is puking, and now, the girl next to you is tearing apart an entire chicken from the bone. That is not exactly the best recipe for success.
What do other people think?
The comment section of Chloé’s video is filled with fairly resounding judgement. One user says, “I fear I’ve never sided with TSA before this.” Another comment recommends, “maybe a protein shake & turkey sandwich next time.” But Chloé argues this is “how you give yourself a first class experience without paying for first class.”
A brief lesson on flight food etiquette.
If you’re tempted to bring your own feast onboard — no judgment here, I know airport food can cost an arm and a leg — here is what you should consider. First, keep it contained. No open platters or loose drumsticks. Second, think neutral. If the smell sticks to your fingers, it will linger in the cabin. Third, consider your seatmates. Just because you love the flavor of something, doesn’t mean the person stuck in the middle seat does too.