How to Bring and Drink Your Own Booze on a Flight

Publish date: 2024-06-24

There are ways of legally bringing — and drinking — your own booze on a flight, according to frequent flier Gilbert Ott.
On his blog God Save the Points, Ott provides the do's and don'ts of making it happen.
Whatever you do, never try and serve yourself.

Unless you're flying first class, chances are you're used to only getting one or two complimentary drinks on a flight — or at least having to pay for alcohol, even if it is just those mini bottles of wine available.

But, according to frequent traveller and air miles guru Gilbert Ott of God Save the Points, it's actually possible to legally bring – and drink — your own booze on board. Here's what you need to know:

You can make good use of the 100ml bottle rule...

While an entire bottle of whiskey won't make it through security, there's an easy way to get a smaller amount of your favourite tipple through.

"You’re probably aware that liquid containers may not exceed 100ml," Ott writes. "Same goes for perfume, cosmetics, etc.

"Fortunately, mini alcohol bottles fit into the sizing requirements, and you can bring multiple mini bottles through security. It’s absolutely fine. Just put them in a clear plastic bag, just as you would any other liquid items."

...or go shopping at duty-free.

Your second option is shopping for booze once you get into the airport lounge — as long as you're flying direct.

"If you’re travelling internationally, you could absolutely buy a bottle of wine or Champagne (anything you’ll consume entirely on the plane) on your next flight," Ott writes, warning: "Don’t buy from duty-free if you have a connection where you’ll need to re-clear security before consuming. You’ll lose it!"

Whatever you do, don't try to serve yourself

"You CANNOT serve yourself on the plane. Any plane. No. You can’t," Ott stresses. "You CAN however politely ask a member of the cabin crew if they would not mind serving you the liquor you brought on board.

"JetBlue famously made light of this policy last year — and we know many have successfully done this on other airlines around the world. There are no guarantees a crew will say YES — but this is real — and this happens."

Be prepared to drink the whole bottle

While you might get a nice flight attendant willing to open your own bottle for you, you better be ready to drink the whole thing.

"Don’t ask the crew to open anything which will not be finished on board. And please, be discrete," Ott writes. "The crew must dispose of anything open and unconsumed at the end of the flight. For that reason, it’s best to keep things simple."

Don't overdo it

According to Ott, the crew have final say on your ability to consume alcohol — so be wise in your consumption.

"If they decide you look far too ready for midnight karaoke — they have full right to cut you off," he writes. "In each and every circumstance — arguing with them is going to go poorly for you, so just don’t. Just sit back relax, enjoy the flight and politely persuade someone to pour you a lovely drink. You’ll be on the ground before you know it."