If you’re looking for ways to save money on vacation, bringing your own alcohol is a great start. Generally speaking, it’s far cheaper to sip a drink in your hotel room than it is to order one in a bar or restaurant. If you’re checking a bag, you probably know that you’re permitted to transport full-sized bottles of alcohol in your suitcase. What you might not know is that you can also pack wine and liquor in your carry-on bag, although there are a few restrictions. Here’s what you need to know.
A suitcase at a security checkpoint
(EvgeniyShkolenko via Getty Images)
TSA is setting the record straight when it comes to carrying alcohol aboard a plane. In a recent Facebook post, the administration explained that you can pack mini-liquor bottles inside your carry-on. The post went on to add that, “FAA rules prohibit consuming alcohol on the plane unless it is served by a flight attendant.” In other words, you’ll have to wait until you get to your destination to enjoy those libations.
The details
Of course, mini bottles still have to meet TSA guidelines for liquids, which restrict passengers to a quart-size bag of containers of 3.4 ounces or less per item. Most mini liquor bottles are 1.7 ounces, which means they are perfectly acceptable to pack. If you’re traveling with wine or you don’t have any miniature liquor bottles at home, transfer your booze into reusable 3.4-ounce bottles (make sure they’re leakproof to avoid a big mess).
The catch
Although you are permitted to bring wine or liquor through airport security, there’s a catch. The FAA forbids passengers from drinking alcohol on board a plane unless it’s purchased from a flight attendant. This means you’ll have to wait to enjoy the liquor you packed when you reach your destination.
The bottom line
Per TSA, you can carry a quart-sized bag of 3.4-ounce bottles of liquor in your carry-on, but you aren’t legally permitted to consume them on the plane.