Can You Bring Drinks On A Plane? TSA Alcohol Rules

Vacations are often coupled with special party plans. Apparently, it’s the time when you take a break from your hectic work-life schedule after so long, visit a destination with your friends, or family, and need to refresh your mind.

Not only vacation with family, even if you are travelling somewhere for business purposes, or you are with your corporate dream on a group travel, team parties are specially organized. Hence, how can you enjoy yourself without drinks?

But as you may already know, you have to get all your items checked at the TSA airport security checkpoint before catching your flight. So, it is crucial to stay cautious and conduct your research about everything that is allowed, strictly prohibited, or permitted with instructions by the TSA.

Explore Whether Can You Bring Drinks on a Plane?

When it comes to drinks, it is of course about the alcoholic beverages packed in your carry-on or checked bags.

So what is the take of the TSA on the same?

Don’t worry, passengers are permitted to fly with alcoholic beverages kept in their bags. However, there are certain regulations associated with the same as these are hard drinks. Following such rules enables you to proceed smoothly with your air travel without having your items getting confiscated by the TSA.

Can You Bring a Drink on a Plane in a Carry-on Bag?

Yes, you are permitted to bring alcoholic beverages on a plane. However,  you need to adhere to the TSA liquid limit or the 3-1-1 rule. You are required to bring mini bottles of drinks. Alternatively, you can pour the drink into one container or more. Keep in mind that the total capacity of the containers is not more than 3.4 ounces or 100 ml. This is the defined limit even if you bring mini bottles.

These containers or bottles need to fit into a single transparent quart-size bag with a zip. Thereafter, this bag needs to be packed in your carry-on bag or hand luggage. This is the general rule for liquid items. Even if you need to pack water bottles in a carry-on bag, the same guidelines will be applicable.

Can You Bring Canned Drinks On A Plane?

Canned drinks are not prohibited to be taken on planes. You are permitted to bring them in carry-on and checked bags.

Nevertheless, all liquids need to be taken in carry-ons as per the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids. Thus, you should check the total capacity of cans, as it should not be more than 3.4 ounces. Again, the rest is the same. The cans need to go in a clear quart-size bag, which is to be properly placed in the carry-on bag.

Well, there is a huge risk associated with the same. The TSA officer may not allow you to take the canned drinks ahead if they are found to be against the liquid guidelines, during the X-ray screening. So, you are recommended to pack them in checked baggage only. There can be more quantities of liquid items, with certain limitations though, in this type of bag.

Are Drinks Allowed On Planes in Checked Luggage?

Yes, you are allowed to pack drinks or alcoholic beverages including wine bottles in a checked bag. However, if you look at the TSA alcohol rules, you will find that the alcohol content in such drinks can be above 24%. But, it must be less than or up to 70% (or 140 proof). This means the alcohol should not be over 140 proof.

It is worth highlighting that this also includes grain alcohol as well as 151-proof rum, as mentioned on the official website of the TSA.

As far as the quantity is concerned, a passenger is allowed to carry less than or up to 5 liters of alcoholic beverages in a checked bag. So, according to this rule, 1.3 gallons of such drinks can be taken. Besides, you are required to maintain them in unopened retail packaging form.

On the other hand, if you pack beverages with up to 24% of alcohol content, there are no quantity restrictions on the same, when packed in a checked bag.

Can You Take Unopened Drinks On A Plane?

Hard drinks such as alcoholic beverages and wines are not prohibited on planes. But, there are certain guidelines to pack them in hand luggage and checked baggage, as discussed above.

When it comes to considering the fact whether they can be taken in an unopened form on a plane, there are no issues with the same. In fact, the TSA advises passengers to bring alcoholic drinks in unopened retail packaging form.

Well, for your knowledge, let’s inform you that the TSA also allows you to bring unopened water on a plane.

Can You Take a Glass Bottle of Soda On A Plane?

You are allowed to pack soda in your hand luggage and checked baggage. But, if you take it in hand luggage, you need to comply with the TSA 3-1-1 rule for liquids, which has been explained above. Large bottles of soda, which definitely go above 3.4 ounces, must be packed in checked baggage.

You are advised to keep everything well-arranged in your cabin bag, as a hodgepodge inside the bag can obstruct the view of items. This may not let the TSA officer clearly see all the items during the X-ray screening of your bag.

Also, liquid items need to be taken out for separate screening. Following such regulations will enable an easy checking process for you at the TSA security checkpoint.

If you have any queries related to taking drinks, soda, or other beverages on your flight, you can reach out to the TSA team on Twitter. Tweet your question with the TSA handle @AskTSA tagged in the same.

Final Thoughts

Well, that was a complete guide to your query, can you bring drinks on a plane? Drinks, alcoholic beverages, or wines are allowed on a flight. However, be sure to follow the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule for liquids if you pack them in a carry-on bag.

At the same time, beverages with alcohol content up to only 70% (140 proof) are allowed in checked bags. One passenger can take up to 5 liters of alcoholic drinks in this bag if the alcohol content is between 24% and 70%. Wish you a nice flight experience ahead.

FAQs About Can You Take Drinks On A Plane?

You must go through some of the major queries on whether can you bring drinks on a plane, given below.