The short answer is no, you cannot take a confetti cannon on an aircraft.

The reason for this is they contain a pressurised nitrogen cylinder and are classified by the UN as hazardous for the purpose of transport - articles, pressurised, pneumatic – UN 3164.

This is the same for both checked in luggage and hand luggage. It’s not worth trying, they will get found and confiscated.

The longer answer is that it is not impossible, however, you would need to employ a specialised hazardous good courier to complete the necessary IATA transport documentation and book it onto a freight aircraft. This is a very expensive process. Expect a hefty bill at the end of it.

Confetti Magic Wands, also known as flicker sticks, do not contain any pressurised gas and so can be carried on a plane. These are used by piercing the top and waving them to release a shower of white or multicolour tissue confetti.

Although not as powerful as air cannons, they are cheaper so can be handed to your guests as a fun alternative to throwing confetti.

Reloadable Confetti Cannons can also be taken on an aircraft as the gas cylinders are separate from the cannon. These are especially great for theatre tours and travelling artists, providing years of reliable, repeatable confetti shots.

The official classification for the cylinders is UN 2037 - receptacles, small, containing gas (non-flammable), without a release device, non-refillable.

The safest way to travel with them is to buy the gas cylinders in your destination country. They are readily available from sports shops for the inflation of life jackets, motorcycle jackets or bicycle tyres. You will need a 16g CO2 cartridge with 3/8inch-24UNF thread (this is standard but do check before leaving the shop).

If you wish to take them with you, British Airways allow you to take up to 4 cylinders, preferably in your checked in luggage, providing you comply with various restrictions. The British Airways web page ”Restricted and prohibited items” contains the necessary information. Click on “Gas cartridges in various sporting equipment’. Please note that the 16g cylinders we supply with our reloadable confetti cannon have an equivalent water volume of 21ml so are under the 50ml limit.

We hope this helps to clarify the situation, but if you have any further questions, please call us on 01727 220386 or email info@confettimagic.com.