Vivian Marlowe
The minimum age for drinking alcohol on a plane depends on the airline. Most airlines set the drinking age at the same limit as the country the airline is registered in. For example, American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Allegiant all require passengers to be 21 or over to be served alcohol. However, some airlines based outside the US have lower drinking ages, such as Easyjet, Emirates, Qantas, and British Airways, which all have a minimum drinking age of 18. While the FAA does not police in-flight drinking, individual airlines do, and flight attendants reserve the right to check IDs, stop serving passengers, or refuse service.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drinking age on planes | Varies by airline |
| Drinking age on U.S.-based airlines | 21 |
| Drinking age on non-U.S.-based airlines | 18-20 |
| ID check | Depends on airline and flight attendant |
| BYOB policy | Allowed on JetBlue, served by cabin attendants |
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What You'll Learn
Drinking age on planes varies by airline
The legal drinking age on planes varies by airline, and there is no overarching law that governs it. Most airlines set their drinking age based on the laws of the country in which they are registered or based. For example, American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Allegiant all adhere to US law, which prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under 21. This rule applies to all flights, regardless of the destination or the drinking age of the country the airline is flying to.
On the other hand, some airlines based outside the US have a lower drinking age. For instance, the Icelandic airline WOW Air allows drinking onboard for those 20 and above, in accordance with Icelandic law. Similarly, Mexico-based Interjet and Aeromexico have a drinking age of 18, following Mexican law. Other airlines with a drinking age of 18 include Easyjet, Emirates, Qantas, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, and British Airways.
It is important to note that while there may not be strict ID checks on international flights, airline crew reserves the right to check IDs, stop serving passengers, or refuse service. Additionally, drinking to excess on a plane, regardless of age, can lead to trouble. Therefore, it is essential to drink responsibly and adhere to the airline's policies.
Air Canada, for instance, officially states that "cabin crew must not sell or give alcohol to anyone under 18 years of age." However, they make an exception on international flights, where passengers under 18 can drink with the provided consent of a parent or guardian directly accompanying them. Thus, it is always advisable to confirm the airline's drinking age policy and have your passport or valid ID handy, as some airlines may card you.
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Drinking age is usually based on the airline's home country
Drinking while flying is a topic that raises many questions, especially regarding the legal drinking age. The drinking age is usually based on the airline's home country, and most airlines take a strict stance on this. For example, American Airlines confirms that because they are based in the US, they follow the 21-year-old drinking age rule. Other airlines that follow the same rule include Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Allegiant.
On the other hand, airlines based in countries with lower legal drinking ages tend to follow the policies of their home countries. For instance, the Icelandic airline WOW Air has a drinking age of 20 years, regardless of the departure country. Similarly, Mexico-based Interjet has a drinking age of 18, in accordance with Mexican law. Easyjet, Emirates, Qantas, and British Airways also have a drinking age of 18, although British Airways crew reserve the right to request ID if they feel the need.
It is worth noting that while there is no federal law regulating the drinking age, the US government can withhold funding from states that do not comply with its desired policies. This is how they effectively enforce the drinking age, smoking age, and speed limits. Additionally, airlines have the right to check IDs, stop serving passengers, or refuse service at their discretion. Therefore, it is always a good idea to carry a passport or other valid identification when travelling, regardless of your age or destination.
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ID may be required to prove age
The drinking age on airlines is typically tied to the laws of the airline's home country. For example, American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Allegiant all adhere to US law and require passengers to be 21 or older to be served alcohol. On the other hand, Easyjet, Emirates, Qantas, and British Airways have a drinking age of 18.
While some airlines may not strictly enforce ID checks, it is always a possibility, and passengers should be prepared to provide valid identification if asked. For instance, a passenger shared their experience of being "passported" and age-verified on a flight to Japan, despite their appearance. Additionally, British Airways has stated that their crew is "obliged to ask for ID." Therefore, it is advisable to have your passport or other valid identification on hand when travelling, especially if you plan to consume alcohol during the flight.
In some cases, the drinking age may depend on the specific route or the laws of the country the airline is registered in. For example, Aeromexico, a Mexican airline, allows 18-year-olds to drink on their flights, following Mexican law. However, if an Aeromexico flight is departing from a country with a higher drinking age, the drinking age on that flight may be higher. Similarly, WOW Air, an Icelandic airline, adheres to the Icelandic drinking age of 20 years old, regardless of the departure or destination country.
It is worth noting that some airlines may have stricter policies than others. For instance, Air Canada generally prohibits selling or giving alcohol to anyone under 18, but they make an exception on international flights, allowing passengers under 18 to drink with the provided consent of a parent or guardian directly accompanying them. Conversely, some airlines based in countries with higher drinking ages may still serve alcohol to younger passengers on flights to or from countries with lower drinking ages.
Ultimately, it is important to be aware of the drinking age policy of the specific airline you are flying with and to be prepared to provide valid identification if necessary. While the enforcement of ID checks may vary, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Checking the airline's website or contacting their customer service before your trip can help you understand their specific policies and requirements.
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Some airlines don't serve alcohol
While most airlines do serve alcohol, some don't. For example, a western carrier operating into Kuwait—a non-alcohol serving country—may serve alcohol until touchdown, but once on the ground, no liquor may be served or sold. Conversely, on pre-departure on the ground, no liquor can be served until the aircraft is airborne.
Some airlines have also had their liquor licenses suspended in at least one state, meaning no pre-departure drinks. In 2020, Airlines for America petitioned for an exemption from the rule, arguing that modern lidded cups eliminate the spill hazard and that collecting them during long COVID-era ground delays hurt customer service. However, the FAA rejected the filing.
In addition, some airlines, such as JetBlue, have a BYOB policy, which allows passengers to bring their own alcohol onboard and consume it, providing it's served by the airline's cabin attendants.
Furthermore, while not an airline that doesn't serve alcohol, it's worth noting that Easyjet, Emirates, Qantas, and British Airways have a legal drinking age of 18, and crew are obliged to ask for ID. American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, Spirit, and Allegiant draw a line at 21 and up for serving passengers alcohol onboard.
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Drinking age on planes is loosely regulated
The legal drinking age on planes is determined by the laws of the country in which the airline is based. For example, American Airlines, Delta, United, Alaska Airlines, Virgin America, Southwest, JetBlue, Spirit, and Allegiant adhere to US law, which prohibits the sale of alcohol to anyone under 21. On the other hand, airlines based in countries with a lower drinking age, such as Mexico and Iceland, allow passengers who are 18 or 20 years old, respectively, to consume alcohol on board.
However, the enforcement of these age restrictions appears to be somewhat inconsistent and left to the discretion of flight attendants. Reports suggest that some airlines, particularly those operating internationally, may not strictly enforce age verification and may rely on the flight attendant's judgment to determine whether a passenger is served alcohol. This may be influenced by factors such as the passenger's behaviour and appearance, rather than a strict adherence to age limits or ID checks.
The drinking age on planes can also be influenced by the origin and destination of the flight. For example, a western airline operating into a country that does not allow alcohol, such as Kuwait, may serve alcohol until touchdown but not after. Similarly, an airline departing from a country with strict drinking laws may adhere to those regulations until the plane is airborne. Additionally, some countries, such as the United States, have specific laws prohibiting the service of alcohol to minors on flights originating from their airports, regardless of the airline's country of registration.
The lack of consistent regulation and enforcement of drinking age restrictions on planes can lead to confusion and inconsistencies in the application of these rules. While some airlines explicitly state their minimum age requirements, the actual implementation may vary. As a result, passengers under the legal drinking age may occasionally be served alcohol without proper age verification, highlighting the loosely regulated nature of drinking age enforcement on planes.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the airline. Some airlines, like American Airlines, Delta, United, and Virgin America, have a strict policy of not serving alcohol to passengers under the age of 21. On the other hand, airlines like Easyjet, Emirates, Qantas, and British Airways have a drinking age of 18, and some may ask for ID.
There is no standard international drinking age for airlines. Most airlines follow the laws of the country in which they are registered or based. For example, a U.S.-based airline will not serve alcohol to passengers under 21, regardless of the destination country's drinking age.
It depends on the airline's policy. Some airlines, like JetBlue, allow passengers to bring and consume their own alcohol onboard, as long as it is served by the cabin crew. Other airlines may not allow outside alcohol or have different restrictions.
Yes, the drinking age on a plane is typically based on the laws of the country where the airline is registered. For example, if you are flying on a U.S.-based airline, the drinking age is 21, even if you are flying to a country with a lower drinking age, like Mexico.
Not necessarily. While some airlines and countries may have stricter policies and enforcement, it can vary depending on the airline, the flight attendant, and the situation. In some cases, a flight attendant's judgment may determine whether or not a passenger is served alcohol, and IDs may not always be checked.
