I always carry an empty water bottle thru security then fill it at a drinking fountain before I board the plane.

Just curious but why do you want to take an empty bottle?

Just curious but why do you want to take an empty bottle?

To avoid having to pay for a bottle of water once airside. Take an empty bottle through security, and fill it at a drinking fountain once you're through. Saves a couple of dollars.

The answer to the OP's question is YES, it's perfectly legal, and as TP says it's a good idea to declare the bottle at security rather than face any kind of rescreen.

That bottle may be an empty plastic Dasani bottle (yuk, who would buy Dasani) or perhaps a strong metal container that won't leak, and can be filled at the drinking fountain with water distinctly more appetizing than buying a (expensive) bottle of Dasani (did i say yuk) air side.

I always carry an empty bottle through security and have never been challenged at any of the many airports I've been through. I always either fill it up at the airport - it's nice to have a drink ready at the other end in case there are delays getting through immigration or whatever.

for certain flights, including the usa, there is secondary screening at the gate. water purchased airside, with receipt, still sealed, may be allowed through. but an open bottle of water probably will not. i have never seen drinking fountains inside the gate area.

[talking about flights from the u.k.]

pam

In Kuala Lumpur enroute to Bali I had bottled water bought airside confiscated at the secondary screening - as Pam says it depends.

If travelling business class I've found bottled water onboard and no need to take a bottle.

Well, yes, you would think that people who claim to travel business or first all the time do know about the bottled water on the flight...

But do note that if it has a imprinted wrapper (such as lucozade) it will be picked up on the scanner and your hand luggage manually searched, but it will not be confiscated.