Bringing Alcohol To The Airport: What You Need To Know

Bringing alcohol into an airport is a tricky task, and it's important to be aware of the rules and regulations to avoid any issues. While the rules may vary slightly depending on your location and airline, there are some general guidelines to follow. Firstly, alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of less than 24% are typically allowed in carry-on bags, but they must adhere to the standard liquid restrictions, meaning containers should be 3.4 ounces or less and fit comfortably in a clear, quart-sized bag. For alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content between 24% and 70%, the rules are more stringent. In carry-on bags, the same restrictions as above apply, and for checked bags, the limit is five litres per passenger, and the bottles must be in unopened retail packaging. It's important to note that alcohol with an alcohol content above 70% is prohibited in both carry-on and checked bags. Additionally, it is prohibited to consume your own alcohol during the flight, and it must be packed securely to avoid any damage or spills.

Alcohol in carry-on bags

While the TSA may allow liquor in carry-ons, specific airlines can impose stricter rules, so it's always good to check with your airline before bringing alcohol on board. The key is to ensure that whatever you pack complies with TSA liquid rules and seals securely.

If you're thinking of bringing back alcohol from duty-free, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, duty-free alcohol is typically allowed only if purchased at an international airport duty-free shop and not domestically. Secondly, the retailer must seal the duty-free liquids in a tamper-evident bag. Thirdly, you must have a receipt proving the purchase was made within the last 48 hours, and the bag must show no signs of tampering when screened by the TSA.

Finally, it's important to remember that while you can carry duty-free alcohol onboard, you cannot consume it inflight. Federal aviation regulations prohibit passengers from drinking their own alcohol on a flight or drinking any alcohol that was not directly served to them by a flight attendant.

Alcohol in checked bags

When packing alcohol in checked bags, it is important to secure the bottles well. Wrapping bottles in protective materials such as bubble wrap or wine-shipping packaging is recommended. It is also a good idea to place bottles inside a sealable plastic bag, which will help to contain the alcohol and keep it from spilling on other belongings should the bottle break. Positioning the bottle in the centre of the suitcase and surrounding it with clothes can also help to protect it.

It is worth noting that some types of alcohol are not suitable for checked bags. Carbonated drinks, for example, are not recommended as they pose a risk of exploding due to pressure changes in the cargo hold. Partially consumed bottles are also prohibited, so any bottles must be either unopened or empty.

The rules around alcohol in checked bags can vary by airline and destination country, so it is always best to check with the relevant authorities before travelling.

Drinking your own alcohol in-flight

In one incident in 2021, a passenger was duct-taped to his seat by fellow passengers after repeatedly breaking out his own liquor bottles mid-flight and acting aggressively.

If you are caught drinking your own alcohol on a flight, airlines' penalties range from confiscating the alcohol to assessing fines. A JetBlue customer on a flight in December 2020 was fined $14,500 for drinking his own alcohol and refusing to wear a mask.

While it may be tempting to BYOB on a plane, the rules are in place for safety reasons. It is best to simply enjoy the free drinks or pay for alcohol served by the airline once you are at cruising altitude.

Bringing duty-free alcohol onboard

In 2014, the TSA updated its security rules to allow passengers to bring duty-free liquids, including alcohol, in carry-on bags on international connections. However, there are specific criteria that must be met to bring duty-free alcohol onboard:

• The alcohol must be purchased at an international airport duty-free shop, not domestically.
• The retailer must seal the duty-free liquids in a tamper-evident bag.
• You must have a receipt proving the purchase was made within the last 48 hours.
• The bag must show no signs of tampering when screened by the TSA.

It is important to note that while you can transport duty-free alcohol in a carry-on bag, drinking your own alcohol inflight, including duty-free liquor, violates FAA regulations. Alcohol can be carried onboard but cannot be consumed unless served by the airline.

The updated rule allows duty-free liquor to be screened at the boarding gate rather than packed in checked luggage. It is crucial to understand and follow the specific criteria to avoid any issues when travelling.

How to pack alcohol

To pack alcohol safely, you must follow the rules and regulations that govern alcohol on aircraft, such as limits on quantity and alcohol content. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pack alcohol:

• Make sure you are of legal drinking age. The legal drinking age is 21 years in the United States. If you are travelling outside the US, check with your airline about the legal drinking age.
• Transport alcohol in its original container. On most airlines and in most countries, alcohol must be unopened and in its original container.
• Check country-specific regulations on alcohol content. For example, in the US, the Federal Aviation Administration forbids beverages containing over 70% alcohol or more than 140 proof.
• Abide by quantity limits. Individual countries have restrictions on the amount of alcohol you can take on board. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration limits the amount of alcohol to no more than a total of 5 litres or 1.3 gallons per passenger.
• Understand that you can only drink alcohol served by the airline. On most flights, you are only allowed to drink alcohol served by the airline.
• Make sure your alcohol meets quantity restrictions for liquids in carry-on luggage. Alcohol in carry-on luggage must be in containers that are no more than 3.4 ounces or 100ml in volume. These containers must fit into a 1-quart-sized resealable plastic bag.
• Understand the rules for duty-free alcohol. Duty-free alcohol can be carried onboard on inbound international flights to the US. It must be in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100ml if packed in a secure, transparent, tamper-evident bag by the retailer. You must have the original receipt during your flight and the bag must show no signs of tampering.
• If you are packing alcohol in checked baggage, exercise caution. The last thing you want is to open a suitcase filled with shards of glass and alcohol-soaked clothing.
• Pad the bottles in your luggage. Wrap the bottles in newspaper, bubble wrap, or clothing to protect them against impact and accidents while in transport.
• Wrap bottles in plastic bags. This will help contain the alcohol and keep it from spilling on your belongings in case the bottle breaks.
• Place a barrier between bottles. If you are transporting multiple bottles, put a barrier between them to prevent them from smashing into each other. A simple barrier can be a pair of shoes or several pieces of rolled-up clothing.
• Pad your luggage. Make sure that the sides, bottom, and top of your luggage are padded with bulky items such as clothing, towels, or blankets. This will help create a barrier between the outside of your bag and the alcohol inside.
• Consider professionally shipping your alcohol. This option may be easier and ensure your alcohol arrives safely.

Frequently asked questions