Can I Take a Confetti Cannon on a Plane? (The Clear, Friendly Guide You Actually Need)
If you’re heading to a destination wedding, flying interstate for a gender reveal, or visiting friends overseas and want to bring your favourite Confettified Gender Reveal cannons, you’ve probably wondered:
“Can I take a confetti cannon on a plane?”
Good news:
Yes, you can fly with a confetti cannon — but only in checked baggage, and only under specific airline rules.
Here’s the clear, friendly, no-nonsense guide based on our experience, our products, and official airline policies.
Our Real-World Experience
We’ve actually flown with Confettified confetti cannons before.
They went into checked luggage, travelled through security, and nothing was flagged or removed.
But…
Just because it went smoothly doesn’t mean there are no rules. Airline regulations still apply, and they matter.
Why Confetti Cannons Are Considered Restricted Items
Confettified cannons contain a small CO₂ cartridge in the base.
That makes them officially classified as:
Dangerous Goods Class 2.2 – Non-flammable, Non-toxic Gas
This is the same class as the tiny CO₂ bottles used in life vests, bike inflators, or avalanche packs.
This is why there’s confusion — they’re not explosive, not flammable, and not pyrotechnic…
…but they are pressurised gas cylinders, which means they fall under airline Dangerous Goods rules.
Carry-On vs Checked Baggage (The Simple Answer)
❌ Carry-on:
Not allowed.
No Australian airline permits compressed-gas cartridges in cabin baggage unless medically necessary.
✅ Checked baggage:
Sometimes allowed — but only if it meets airline conditions.
This usually means:
- Declaring them
- Gaining airline approval before you fly
- Ensuring the item is unopened and packaged safely
What Qantas & Virgin Say About CO₂ Cartridges
Both airlines group CO₂ cartridges under the same category as avalanche bags or life vests.
Qantas Policy Highlights
- Allowed in checked baggage with prior approval
- Must be non-flammable, non-toxic gas (our cannons are)
- Must be packaged to prevent accidental activation
Virgin Australia Policy Highlights
- Allowed in checked-in bags, subject to approval
- Must be small CO₂ cartridges (Class 2.2)
- Must be securely packed
Neither airline directly lists “confetti cannons,” but because the gas component is identical to other CO₂ items, they are governed by the same rules.
Airline Comparison Table
Based on the latest published Dangerous Goods guidelines
| Airline | Carry-On | Checked Baggage | Conditions |
| Qantas | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed with approval | Must be non-flammable gas (Class 2.2) and packaged safely |
| Virgin Australia | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed with approval | O₂ cartridges must be declared and secured |
| Jetsetar | ❌ Not allowed | ⚠️ Case-by-case | Must be approved before check-in |
| International Airlines | ❌ Rarely allowed | ⚠️ Varies widely | Always check with the airline before flying |
Tip: Always contact your airline at least 48–72 hours before flying. Ask about “compressed gas cartridges (Class 2.2) for consumer products.”
Why People Fly With Confetti Cannons
We see this question all the time — and the reasons are usually special, once-in-a-lifetime events:
- Destination weddings (Bali, Fiji, New Zealand, Italy… you name it)
- Interstate gender reveal parties
- Flying to visit friends and surprising them with a reveal moment
- Carrying matching confetti to coordinate with on-site decorators
- These events often rely on having the exact cannon type, colour mix, or effect — which is why people want to bring their own instead of buying them at the destination.
Common Misconceptions (Cleared Up Fast)
❌ “They’re not explosive, so I can take them in my carry on.”
Nope - the CO₂ cartridge bans them from cabin luggage.
❌ “If security didn’t stop my friend, I’ll be fine.”
Security screening varies. Airlines expect you to follow Dangerous Goods rules regardless.
❌ “It’s just paper, what’s the big deal?”
It’s not the confetti - it’s the gas cartridge that matters.
How to Fly With a Confetti Cannon (Step-by-Step)
-
Contact your airline before flying.
Tell them you want to travel with a “small CO₂ cartridge consumer product (Class 2.2).” - Pack the cannon in your checked luggage only.
- Keep it in its original packaging so it can be idetified.
- Be ready to show staff the product when checking in.
- Have your approval email handy if the airline issues one.
Follow these steps and you’re almost always fine.
Should You Fly With Confettified Cannons?
If the airline approves it, absolutely.
Our cannons are:
- Sealed
- Non-flammable
- Non-toxic
- Professionally manufactured to safety standards
They’re designed to be stable during transport — which is why many customers successfully take them to weddings and reveals around the world.
Final Verdict: Can You Take a Confetti Cannon on a Plane?
Yes - but only in checked baggage, and only with airline approval.
Confettified cannons are safe, compliant, and fall under the same rules as other consumer CO₂ products. Just follow the steps, get approval, and you’re good to go.
For any customer planning a flight with our cannons:
We’re always happy to help - just message us before you travel.
We can point you to the right product, explain the Dangerous Goods classification, and help you understand what to tell your airline.
Because when you're celebrating something big…
you want everything to go perfectly.
Confettified – Australia’s Confetti & Gender Reveal Specialists