Sachin Walls
Drinking at the airport and on the plane is a complicated topic. While there is no set number of drinks allotted to each passenger, it is illegal to board an aircraft when intoxicated. This means that if you are deemed too drunk to fly, you won't be allowed on board. Flight attendants are trained to monitor passengers' alcohol consumption and can refuse to serve passengers who are intoxicated. The number of drinks you can have also depends on the airline, the class of travel, and the stock available. Some airports have designated drinking areas, but you cannot take your drink with you when you board the plane.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drinking at the airport | There are no legal limits on the number of drinks you can have at an airport. However, some airports have designated drinking areas. |
| Drinking on the plane | Federal aviation regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on a flight unless it is served by the airline. There is no legal limit on the number of drinks served, but flight attendants have full discretion to cut off alcohol service to intoxicated passengers. |
| Bringing your own alcohol on the plane | TSA allows unopened bottles of alcohol in carry-on bags. All liquids must follow the 3.4 oz (100 ml) rule. Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. |
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What You'll Learn
Drinking at the airport vs. on the plane
Drinking at the airport:
While there are no global rules against drinking at airports, individual airports and countries may have their own regulations. For instance, Nashville International, Chicago's Midway and O'Hare, George Bush Intercontinental and William P Hobby in Houston, Fort Lauderdale International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Miami International, and Tampa International Airports allow passengers to buy and consume alcoholic drinks at their gates. Typically, however, there are designated areas within airports where passengers can consume alcoholic drinks. These drinks usually need to be purchased at one of the airport kiosks or bars and poured into plastic to-go cups.
It is important to note that drinking to excess at the airport can have consequences. If you are deemed intoxicated, you may be refused boarding, and in some cases, this has led to arrests.
Drinking on the plane:
While on the plane, federal aviation regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol unless it is served by the airline. This means that passengers are not allowed to drink duty-free or any other alcohol they bring on board unless served by the flight crew. Some airlines, like JetBlue, will allow passengers to bring their own alcohol, which a flight attendant will then serve. This policy allows the flight crew to monitor alcohol consumption. Many other airlines will not serve passengers any alcohol that they have not purchased from the airline.
Flight attendants have the right to refuse alcohol service to passengers who appear intoxicated. There is no set limit to the number of drinks served, but airlines are imposing stricter policies to address the rise in disruptive behaviour on flights. For example, Ryanair has called for a two-drink limit per passenger, while Southwest Airlines has stopped serving alcohol on some routes.
Passengers who get drunk on a flight may face consequences such as diversion, removal from the plane, or even a flight ban from the airline.
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Drinking your own alcohol on a flight
While you may be able to sneak your own alcohol onto a plane, drinking your own alcohol on a flight is prohibited by federal aviation regulations. These regulations forbid passengers from drinking alcohol on a flight unless it is served by the airline. This restriction applies to US-based airlines everywhere, as the FAA governs these airlines across the globe.
Techniques such as discreetly disguising liquor in soda cans or water bottles, or "palming" shooters to avoid detection, have become popular ways to bypass the rules. However, attempting to drink your own alcohol on a flight can lead to serious consequences. For example, in 2021, a passenger was duct-taped to his seat by fellow passengers after repeatedly breaking out his own liquor bottles and acting aggressively.
The rules are in place for safety reasons, and drinking your own alcohol on a flight can leave you open to criminal charges for public intoxication or interfering with the flight crew. Even if you do manage to bring your own alcohol onto the plane, flight attendants can refuse to serve you more alcohol if you appear drunk or are disruptive.
Instead, it is best to enjoy the free drinks provided by the airline or pay for alcohol once you are at cruising altitude. Most airlines serve complimentary beer, wine, and spirits on long-haul international flights. On domestic routes, any alcohol usually must be purchased. Drinking ages vary by airline registration country, so it is important to check your airline's policy.
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Buying alcohol at duty-free
When buying alcohol at duty-free, it's important to remember the restrictions on carry-on liquids. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) allows unopened bottles of alcohol in carry-on bags, but they must adhere to the 3.4 oz (100 ml) rule. Mini liquor bottles typically come in 1.7 oz sizes and can be packed in a quart-sized zip-top bag. If you're travelling with checked luggage, alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited to 5 litres (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to these limitations.
It's important to keep your duty-free alcohol sealed in the provided tamper-evident bag until you reach your destination. Some countries have carry-on alcohol restrictions, and you don't want your purchases confiscated by officials. Additionally, drinking your duty-free alcohol inflight violates FAA regulations. Alcoholic beverages can only be consumed onboard if served by the airline.
Finally, remember to check the duty-free limits for your country upon return. You may have to pay additional charges if you exceed these limits. Enjoy your purchases responsibly, and always follow the guidelines and regulations of the airport, airline, and your destination country.
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How to tell if you're too drunk to fly
While there are no legal limits on the number of drinks you can be served on a plane, it's important to know your limits and be mindful of the potential consequences of drinking too much while travelling. Federal aviation regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on a flight unless it is served by the airline, and flight attendants have the right to refuse service to intoxicated passengers. So, how can you tell if you're too drunk to fly?
Firstly, it's important to remember that the effects of alcohol can be heightened at high altitudes. What might feel like a pleasant buzz at ground level could quickly turn into an unpleasant inebriation once you're in the air. This is because the lower air pressure and reduced oxygen levels in the cabin can intensify the effects of alcohol on the body.
Secondly, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can impair your judgement and coordination, making it difficult to navigate the busy and often crowded airport environment. If you find yourself struggling to walk in a straight line, bumping into people or objects, or having difficulty with basic tasks such as fastening your seatbelt, then you are likely too drunk to fly.
Additionally, alcohol can affect your behaviour and inhibitions, leading to disruptive or belligerent behaviour. Gate agents and flight attendants are trained to recognise signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, unsteady movements, and disruptive behaviour. If you find yourself becoming loud, argumentative, or making inappropriate comments, you may be deemed too intoxicated to fly.
Finally, it's important to consider the potential consequences of drinking too much while flying. These can include being denied boarding, immediate removal from the boarding area, losing your ticket, facing legal consequences, and even being placed on an airline's no-fly list.
In conclusion, while there may be no legal limit to the number of drinks you can have on a plane, it's important to drink in moderation and be mindful of your surroundings. By knowing your limits and behaving responsibly, you can help ensure a safe and pleasant journey for yourself and your fellow passengers.
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Rules for flight attendants serving alcohol
While there are no legal limits on the number of drinks flight attendants can serve to passengers, they are responsible for preventing alcohol-related disruptive passenger incidents and have full discretion to cut off alcohol service to intoxicated passengers. They are well-trained in spotting passengers who may have consumed too much alcohol and can refuse the sale of alcohol at any time during the flight.
In the UK, Article 65(1) of the Air Navigation Order 2000 states that "a person shall not enter any aircraft when drunk, or be drunk on any aircraft." While the regulations do not specify a drink limit, US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules and similar laws in other jurisdictions prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol onboard unless served by the airline. FAA regulations also prohibit carriers from serving more alcohol to those they believe to be drunk already.
To ensure the safety of the aircraft, its passengers, and its crew, airlines are imposing stricter policies around overserving. For example, Ryanair has called for a two-drink limit per passenger, and Southwest Airlines stopped serving alcohol on some Hawaii routes. Some airlines now require staff to intervene earlier when addressing concerning passenger behaviour. While an intoxicated passenger may not face legal charges, getting drunk on a flight can lead to diversion, removal from the plane, or even a flight ban from the airline.
Flight attendants also deal with passengers who bring their own alcohol onboard, which is forbidden to consume. Alcoholic drinks can be confiscated and locked away for the duration of the flight. Ground staff also play a role in preventing drunk passengers from boarding the aircraft.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no legal limit to the number of drinks you can have at an airport. However, it is illegal to board an aircraft when intoxicated, and you may be refused boarding if you are deemed to be drunk.
There is no fixed number of drinks flight attendants are allowed to serve any given person. However, they are trained to recognise the signs of intoxication and can refuse to serve passengers who are drunk or disruptive.
You cannot serve your own alcohol on a plane, but some airlines will allow you to bring your own alcohol with the intention of having it served to you by a flight attendant. You may also bring on any bottle of wine or beer you bought within the airport terminal, as long as it is unopened.
Yes, there is no rule against drinking alcohol purchased from duty-free shops in the departure lounge. However, the quantity consumed could become an issue if you are deemed too drunk to fly.
While there is no rule against drinking alcohol purchased from duty-free shops, you cannot drink your own alcohol at the airport. You must consume alcohol in designated areas and it must be served to you by a bartender or waiter.
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