Noah Vinter
Ordering alcohol on an airplane varies depending on the airline and the country. While some airlines offer alcoholic beverages for free, others require payment. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 24% or less are typically allowed in unlimited quantities in checked luggage, while beverages with an ABV between 24% and 70% are limited to 5 litres per passenger. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV above 70% are generally prohibited on airplanes. When travelling with alcohol, it is important to follow the regulations of the destination country and the airline's rules. Additionally, drinking your own alcohol on a plane is prohibited, and passengers who do not comply can face fines or legal charges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can you bring alcohol on a plane? | Yes, but with limitations. |
| Can you drink your own alcohol on a plane? | No, drinking alcohol that hasn't been served by the airline is prohibited. |
| How much alcohol can you bring on a plane? | Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 24% or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 24% to 70% are limited to 5 litres per passenger in checked baggage. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of over 70% are prohibited. |
| Rules for carry-on luggage | Alcohol must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or 100 ml or less and packed in a clear, quart-sized bag. |
| Duty-free alcohol | You can bring duty-free alcohol on international connections if it was purchased at an international airport duty-free shop and is sealed in a tamper-evident bag. |
| Drinking alcohol on a plane | Most airlines serve complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on long-haul international flights. On domestic routes, alcohol usually must be purchased. Drinking ages vary by airline registration country. |
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What You'll Learn
Alcohol consumption rules on a plane
Drinking Alcohol on the Plane:
Firstly, it is important to note that FAA regulations prohibit passengers from consuming any alcohol on an airplane that is not served by the airline. This means that you cannot drink your own alcohol during the flight. Flight attendants are not permitted to serve passengers who are already intoxicated, and drinking your own alcohol can lead to criminal charges for public intoxication or interfering with the flight crew. Most airlines serve complimentary alcoholic beverages on long-haul international flights, while on domestic routes, alcohol usually needs to be purchased.
Bringing Your Own Alcohol:
When it comes to bringing your own alcohol on a plane, you need to be aware of the regulations regarding carry-on and checked baggage. The TSA allows unopened bottles of alcohol in carry-on bags, following the standard 3-1-1 rule for liquids with a limit of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) per bottle. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 24% or less are not subject to quantity limitations in checked bags, while beverages with an ABV between 24% and 70% are limited to 5 liters per passenger in checked baggage. Alcohol with an ABV above 70% is prohibited on airplanes in both checked and carry-on baggage.
Duty-Free Alcohol:
When purchasing duty-free alcohol, it is important to note the variations in duty-free limits and import allowances depending on your destination country. Duty-free alcohol must be purchased at an international airport duty-free shop and sealed in a tamper-evident bag. Keep your receipt handy, as you may need to prove that the alcohol was purchased within the previous 48 hours.
Drinking Age:
It is important to be mindful of the legal drinking age in the country you are travelling to or bringing alcohol into. Drinking ages vary by airline registration country, so always check your airline's specific policies.
Packing Considerations:
When packing alcohol, ensure that bottles are unopened and in their original or secure packaging to prevent breakage and damage to other items. Wrap clothing around bottles to cushion them and avoid clanking. Some airlines may have specific requirements for packing alcohol in checked luggage, so it is important to check their guidelines.
Remember, while enjoying a drink at cruising altitude is fine, always consume alcohol responsibly. Overindulgence can lead to serious repercussions, including diversion, removal from the plane, or even flight bans from the airline.
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Bringing alcohol on a plane
While rules may vary by airline, generally, you can bring alcohol on a plane, but there are limitations. The most important thing to note is that you cannot consume your own alcohol on the plane. Drinking your own alcohol on a commercial flight is prohibited by the FAA, and those who don't comply could face upwards of $40,000 in fines. Flight attendants are not allowed to serve alcohol to intoxicated passengers or allow passengers to consume their own alcohol.
When it comes to packing your carry-on luggage and clearing TSA checkpoints, the same 3-1-1 rule that applies to toiletries also applies to liquor. You can pack small bottles of alcohol that are 3.4 ounces or 100ml or less in a clear, quart-sized bag. If you have already passed through security and decide to buy alcohol at duty-free, make sure to keep your receipt and don't remove the bottle from the sealed bag provided.
For checked bags, the amount of alcohol you can pack is determined by the ABV or alcohol by volume content. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of more than 24% but not more than 70% are limited in checked bags to 5 litres (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% ABV or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.
To safely transport your alcohol, wrap clothing, like scarves or sweaters, around the bottles to keep them from clanking into one another during transport.
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Drinking your own alcohol on a plane
If you are travelling on a non-US airline, it is best to check with the airline before bringing any alcoholic beverages on board. Different airlines will have different policies, and some may allow passengers to consume their own alcohol. However, many airlines, such as American, Delta, and Southwest, stipulate that alcohol brought on board must remain unopened.
When packing alcohol in your luggage, there are a few things to keep in mind. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of more than 70% are prohibited on airplanes, both in checked and carry-on baggage. For beverages with an ABV of 24% to 70%, there is a limit of 5 litres (1.3 gallons) per passenger in checked baggage, and they must be in unopened retail packaging. Beverages with an ABV of less than 24% are not subject to limitations in checked bags. When packing alcohol in your carry-on luggage, you must follow the 3-1-1 rule, which states that you can pack small bottles of 3.4 ounces or less in a clear, quart-sized bag.
It is important to note that drinking your own alcohol on a plane can result in significant fines. Airlines may also have their own penalties for passengers who do not comply, ranging from discarding the forbidden beverage to assessing fines. Therefore, it is always best to check with the airline before bringing any alcohol on board and to comply with all regulations to avoid any issues.
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Alcohol duty-free limits
While you can bring alcohol on a plane, drinking your own alcohol is prohibited on commercial flights. If you want to consume alcohol during your flight, you'll need to purchase it on board.
Duty-free allowances vary depending on the country and the traveller's age. Here are some examples of duty-free limits for alcohol:
- Australia — If you're bringing duty-free items into Australia, concession limits apply to both visitors and residents. The general concession is AU$900 worth of goods per adult (age 18 or over) or AU$450 worth of goods per traveller under 18. Most personal items, such as clothing, footwear, and personal grooming articles, can be brought into Australia duty-free if they have been owned and used for 12 months or more or are imported temporarily. For alcohol, it is recommended to check with the customs service to avoid confiscation.
- United States — The TSA allows alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% ABV in checked bags with a limit of 5 litres (1.3 gallons) per passenger. These beverages must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% ABV or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags. For carry-on luggage, the 3-1-1 rule applies, allowing small bottles of alcohol of 3.4 ounces or less in a clear, quart-sized bag.
- Other Countries — While duty-free limits vary by country, a common limit for alcoholic beverages with an ABV between 24% and 70% is 5 litres per passenger for checked baggage. These beverages must also be in unopened retail packaging. For carry-on baggage, the standard allowance is typically containers of 3.4 ounces or less in secure, sealed bags purchased from duty-free shops.
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Alcohol import allowances
United States
In the United States, federal regulations allow returning residents to import one liter of alcoholic beverages for personal use duty-free. This exemption is only applicable to individuals over 21 years of age who are importing the alcohol exclusively for personal use and not for sale, and the alcohol must not violate the laws of the state in which the person arrives. While federal regulations do not specify a limit on the amount of alcohol that may be brought in beyond the personal exemption amount, unusual quantities may raise suspicions that the alcohol is being imported for commercial purposes. If CBP officers determine that the alcohol is intended for commercial use, the importer may be required to obtain a permit and file a formal entry before the alcohol can be released.
European Union
When travelling within the European Union, there are no limits on the amount of alcohol and tobacco that you can carry with you as long as they are for your own use or as a gift. However, each EU country has its own rules for the minimum age at which you can bring alcohol and tobacco into the country.
Canada
In Canada, travellers who are 18 or 19 years or older (depending on the province or territory) can import a certain amount of alcohol free of duty and taxes, as long as the alcohol is for their personal use and will not be sold or given away. The specific allowances vary depending on the type of alcohol and the duration of the traveller's absence from Canada. For example, travellers who have been absent from Canada for 48 hours or more can import 1.5 litres of wine and 1.14 litres of liquor, while travellers who have been absent for 24 hours or more but less than 48 hours can import 0.9 litres of wine and 0.85 litres of liquor.
United Kingdom
In the UK, travellers are allowed to bring an unlimited amount of alcohol into the country as long as it is for personal use. However, travellers must declare any goods exceeding £390 in value, and they may have to pay duty and/or tax on them.
When bringing alcohol on an international flight, it is important to check the specific regulations of the country you are travelling to, as well as the policies of the airline you are flying with.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can bring alcohol on an international flight, but you cannot consume it unless it is served by the airline. Alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 24% or less can be brought in unlimited quantities in checked luggage, while beverages with an ABV of 24% to 70% are limited to 5 litres per passenger in checked luggage. Alcohol in carry-on luggage must be in containers of 3.4 ounces or less or in secure, sealed bags purchased from duty-free.
No, drinking your own alcohol on a commercial flight is prohibited by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Alcoholic beverages can only be consumed on the plane if they are served by a flight attendant.
Most airlines serve complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on long-haul international flights. On domestic routes, alcohol usually needs to be purchased. Drinking ages vary by airline registration country, so it is important to check the airline's policy before consuming alcohol on the flight.
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