Want to bring some ‘air sodas’ on your next flight? That’s cool with us! Whether you are traveling with craft beer, cougar juice or hard liquor, we’ve got you covered. Don’t be absinthe-minded and make pour choices, follow these tips on your next trip! According to the FAA, it’s all about the alcohol content! Alcohol less than 24% alcohol by volume (ABV) or 48 proof, like most beers and wine:
For carry-on you are limited to containers of 3.4oz or less that can fit comfortably in one quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. If it’s overflowing from the bag, that isn’t comfortable. Please remember, one bag per passenger, For checked bags, there is no limit! I wish this was true when I was in college.
Alcohol between 24% – 70% ABV (48 – 140 proof):
For carry-on, same rules apply as above. You are limited to containers of 3.4oz or less that fit in your quart-sized bag. For checked bags you are limited to five liters per passenger. However, it must be in unopened retail packaging!
Alcohol over 70% ABV or over 140 proof:
Leave your bathtub brew at home! Seriously the strong stuff isn’t allowed in carry-on or checked bags!
Our airline partners and the FAA ask that you don’t drink your own booze while flying. Let’s leave the pouring to the pros! And be sure to check your airline’s website to make sure they are cool with being a designated flyer for your hooch. Planning on buying some ‘cough medicine’ at the duty-free store after the security checkpoint? You’re limited to 5 liters of alcohol between 24%-70% ABV or 48 – 140 proof.
The bottles are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer. Don’t try to sneak a swig! If the bag looks opened or tampered with, then it won’t be allowed to fly in your carry-on bag. Keep the receipt! You must show that the alcohol was purchased within the last 48 hours.
Are you brining wine or other spirits from overseas? Our friends at Customs and Border Protection are in charge of the rules for bringing alcohol into the United States, Cheers! Jay Wagner
Contents
What is the liquid limit for checked baggage?
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process.
Can I bring my own alcohol on a plane?
How Much Alcohol Can You Bring on a Plane? – 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 less in a clear, quart-sized bag.
If you have already passed through the security checkpoints and decide to buy alcohol at a duty-free store inside the airport, make sure to keep your receipt and don’t remove the bottle from the sealed bag provided at checkout. When you’re packing alcohol in your checked bag, you are limited to five liters of alcohol.
For reference, a standard bottle of wine is 750 milliliters, which means you can fit about six bottles. For liquor connoisseurs, the alcohol by volume percentage also becomes a factor. The TSA rule of thumb is that all alcohol must be less than 140-proof (70% ABV).
Can I take duty free on a plane?
Duty free allowances – There are certain limitations on duty free shopping, however, they are set individually by the governments of each country or economic region. Note, that in case of exceeding these limits, you may be asked to pay the duty and tax difference on them.
- Find out more about shopping allowances When shopping duty free, you can take one regular sized airport shopping bag of items with you onto your flight.
- This means that you can pick up toiletries, baby food, perfumes, alcohol, and any other security-restricted items at a duty free shop and take them onto the plane with you when you travel.
Please note, some flights with connections require you to go through security again. If this applies to your travel plans, speak to a member of staff in the duty free shop and they will be able to put your items in a STEB (Security tamper-evident bag) so you can take it through security at the airport you are connecting from.
What is the 3 1 1 rule?
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes through the checkpoint. These are limited to 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. This is also known as the 3-1-1 liquids rule.
How do you pack liquor bottles for air travel?
Choose the right suitcase – Always pack wine or spirits in a hard-sided spinning suitcase rather than a soft-sided suitcase or duffel bag—the more durable the better. Look for hard-sided options that are made with heavy-duty material like aluminum or polycarbonate,
This will ensure that the contents don’t get squished or move around while in transit and will also help to absorb any inevitable shock from external factors between gates. Wine-specific suitcases exist if you frequently purchase wine or spirits as a souvenir. These types of suitcases used to be bulky and inconvenient for regular travel but have recently become much more versatile.
“One of my favorite ways to travel with wine or to pack wine on the way home from a trip is to use FlyWithWine’s VinGardeValise suitcases,” says Brianne Cohen, a Los Angeles–based wine educator and sommelier. “They come in five, eight, and twelve bottle options and what is so great about these hard-sided suitcases is that they are modular in design, and you can pull out the bottle inserts as needed.” “For example, if I’m traveling to wine country, I keep the inserts on one side of the suitcase (this side travels empty on my way to wine country) and remove the inserts on the other side, which is where I pack my clothes and toiletries,” explains Cohen.
What is 1 liter of alcohol?
TTB | Distilled Spirits | Conversion Tables
| Container size | Equivalent fluid ounces | Containers per case |
|---|---|---|
| 1.00 liters | 33.8 Fl. Oz. | 12 |
| 750 milliliters | 25.4 Fl. Oz. | 12 |
| 500 milliliters | 16.9 Fl. Oz. | 24 |
| 375 milliliters | 12.7 Fl. Oz. | 24 |
