Travel Tip Tuesday | Traveling with Alcohol

Traveling with alcohol can be tricky. Be prepared with our airline polices when bringing your purchases on your next vacation.

There are several important regulations about traveling with alcohol on a flight. If you don’t want your hooch confiscated then follow these tips on your next trip!  The most important thing to keep in mind when traveling with alcohol according to the Federal Aviation Administration is the alcohol content or proof. How much ABV (alcohol by volume) your bottle has determines how many bottles can bring with you! The FAA divides alcohol by volume or proof into three basic categories. 

Alcohol less than 24% or 48 ABV,  like most beer and wine, can be carried on as follows:
Carry-on Bags are limited to containers of 3.4 oz or less that can fit comfortably in one quart-sized, clear, zip-top bag. If it’s overflowing from the bag, it is considered inappropriate. 

For checked bags, there is no limit! Just make sure that you bubble wrap the bottle and put it in a plastic baggie to avoid breakage. 

Alcohol between 24% - 70%, or 48-140 ABV can be carried on as follows: 
For carry-on, the 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 (1.3 gallons) per passenger. However, it must be in unopened retail packaging!

Alcohol over 70% ABV or over 140 ABV:
Leave this brew at home or at your destination! This seriously strong alcohol isn’t allowed in carry-on or checked bags! To read the regulation stipulating this click here.

Duty - Free Stores:
Keep the limitations in mind when purchasing alcohol at a Duty-Free Store after the security checkpoint at the airport. Passengers are limited to five liters of alcohol between 24%-70% ABV or 48-140 proof. 
If you have purchased the alcohol overseas and have a connecting flight in the United States, the alcohol is allowed in your carry-on bag if:

The bottles are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer. Whatever you do,    don’t try to sneak a swig! If the bag looks opened or tampered with, it will not 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.

FAA regulations also prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol on board the aircraft unless it is served by the air carrier.