Owais Crawford
Drinking while travelling can be a contentious issue, with rules and regulations varying across different airports and countries. While there is no universal rule that every airport must follow, it is generally understood that alcoholic drinks in to-go cups from airport bars or kiosks are allowed in certain designated areas. However, consuming duty-free alcohol in the departure lounge may be frowned upon, and passengers are prohibited from drinking their own alcohol on the plane.
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What You'll Learn
Drinking at the airport bar vs. elsewhere
Drinking at the airport can be a confusing affair, with different rules and norms to the outside world. There is no universal rule or policy that every airport must follow, and policies differ from airport to airport. Some airports allow you to buy a drink and take it with you, while others have marked-off areas where you can enjoy your drink.
Drinking at the airport bar can be an interesting social experience. The unique atmosphere of the airport bar, with no clocks, bright fluorescent lights, and sports or news playing on a loop, can encourage camaraderie among strangers. Sociologists note that travel is a chance to try out alternate identities, and this can extend to drinking at airport bars. The rules of everyday life do not apply, and you may find yourself drinking a giant beer at 8 am without worrying about judgement from fellow travellers. Airport bars often offer larger drinks for a small additional cost, and you may find that drinking at an airport bar is cheaper than drinking at a non-airport bar. However, the quality of drinks and service at airport bars is often lacking, and you may need to manage your expectations.
Drinking elsewhere in the airport can also have its perks. Some airports, such as Nashville International, Chicago’s Midway and O’Hare, both Houston airports, Fort Lauderdale International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Miami International, and Tampa International, allow you to buy a drink and enjoy it wherever you like, even at your gate. This can be convenient if you want to kill time while walking around the airport or waiting at your gate. However, it is important to note that you cannot bring your own alcohol and drink it in the airport or on the plane, as this is against FAA regulations. If you do choose to drink elsewhere in the airport, be sure to dispose of your empty drinks responsibly and follow all local regulations.
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Drinking your own alcohol on a plane
Despite this, some people still choose to drink their own alcohol on planes. Some travellers with severe flying-related anxiety may use alcohol to calm their nerves. Others may not want to pay for overpriced drinks on the plane or in the airport. However, drinking your own alcohol on a plane can lead to trouble with the flight crew. For example, a passenger who was consuming their own alcohol became loud, argumentative, and rude when asked to hand over their bottle.
While you can bring your own alcohol on a plane, drinking it is another issue entirely. All liquids, including alcohol, must be in 3.4-ounce or less-sized bottles. These small bottles can be packed in a clear, quart-sized bag. However, it is important to note that the final decision on whether an item is allowed through the checkpoint rests with the TSA officer.
Although drinking your own alcohol on a plane is prohibited, there are some airports that allow you to buy a drink and enjoy it wherever you like, even at your gate. For example, Nashville International, Chicago's Midway and O'Hare, both Houston airports, Fort Lauderdale International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Miami International, and Tampa International have this policy. Additionally, in airports with tablet ordering stations, it is implied that you can drink from wherever you place your order.
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Drinking duty-free alcohol at the airport
In the United States, for example, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has specific requirements for transporting duty-free alcohol. If you are travelling with alcohol purchased overseas and have a connecting flight in the US, the alcohol must be packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer. Additionally, the bag must not be opened or tampered with, and you must keep the receipt as proof of purchase within the last 48 hours.
When it comes to consuming duty-free alcohol at the airport, it is generally not allowed to drink your own alcohol in airport bars or on the plane. This is because bars and airlines have liquor licenses, and it is illegal to consume any alcohol on their premises that has not been purchased through them. However, some people discreetly mix their duty-free alcohol with other drinks or consume it in the airport bathrooms. While this may be common, it is still against the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) regulations.
It is important to note that drinking excessive amounts of alcohol before a flight may lead to denied boarding. Airlines are becoming stricter about this, and it is always best to follow their guidelines and local laws to avoid any issues. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to make an informed decision and consume alcohol responsibly, especially when travelling.
To summarise, while there is no one-size-fits-all rule for drinking duty-free alcohol at airports, it is generally advised to check the regulations of the specific airport and country you are travelling through to avoid any issues. Responsible consumption and discretion are key when it comes to navigating the grey areas of duty-free drinking at airports.
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Airports with relaxed drinking policies
While there is no universal rule that dictates the policies that every airport must follow, some airports have more relaxed drinking policies than others. For instance, Nashville International Airport, 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 Airport all allow passengers to purchase alcoholic drinks and consume them anywhere within the airport, including at their gates. These airports also have designated areas where passengers can enjoy their drinks, whether from a plastic to-go cup purchased at an airport bar or from a kiosk.
At some airports, passengers can also drink from wherever they place their order, such as at tablet ordering stations. For example, Buffalo Niagara International Airport has tablet ordering stations, implying that drinking may be allowed in these areas.
In Thailand, airports are among the few places where alcohol can be served at certain times of the year. Typically, the sale of alcohol is prohibited on the country's five national Buddhist days. However, rules have been relaxed to allow airports to continue serving alcoholic beverages to passengers on these dates.
It is important to note that while drinking may be allowed in certain areas of an airport, passengers are still subject to the rules and regulations of the airline and the country or state they are in. As such, it is always best to check with the specific airport and airline for their policies on drinking.
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Drinking discreetly at the airport
Firstly, it's important to know that there is no universal rule that all airports follow. Policies differ from airport to airport, and country to country. Some airports, like Nashville International, Chicago's Midway and O'Hare, Houston airports, Fort Lauderdale International, Las Vegas McCarran International, Miami International, and Tampa International, allow you to buy a drink and take it with you wherever you please. However, this does not necessarily mean you can bring your own small bottles through security and drink them at the gate. Many airports have designated drinking areas, usually with marked-off spaces, where you can enjoy a drink from a plastic to-go cup or a kiosk.
Now, here's where it gets tricky. While you cannot bring your own alcohol onto the plane, you can buy minis at the airport and take them through security. But, if you decide to drink them, you need to be very discreet. According to one source, you can buy a Coke and mix your alcohol into it, or you can quietly pour it into your drink and pocket the empty bottle. Just be aware that if you're caught, the staff will likely just take it away and tell you to stop. As long as you're not causing a disturbance, you should be fine.
If you're looking for a more low-key drinking experience, skip the bars, which tend to be more expensive, and head for the kiosks, where you can often find a decent selection of beer at cheaper prices.
Remember, the key to drinking discreetly at the airport is to know the rules, be mindful of your consumption, and always stay respectful and courteous to those around you.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no universal rule or policy that every airport must follow, and policies differ from airport to airport. However, you can generally buy alcoholic drinks to-go at the airport and walk around with them, but you can't bring them on the plane. You also can't drink your own alcohol on the plane—it must be served by the air carrier.
Many airports have designated areas where people can enjoy a drink, whether from a plastic to-go cup from an airport bar or from a kiosk. At airports with tablet ordering stations, it is implied that you can drink from wherever you place your order.
There is no rule against drinking alcohol purchased at duty-free in the departure lounge. However, the quantity consumed could become an issue if you are deemed too drunk to fly.
