# Can I take alcohol on an airplane? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 30, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962 "2005-03-30T16:19:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/1 "2005-03-30T16:19:28Z")
I’m travelling to Chicago in a few weeks. I like to drink a couple of beers a night, but don’t know about the availability of beer there (I won’t have my own transportation). Of course, if the hotel I’m staying at has a bar, I could buy it there, but it would likely be expensive. I’d rather take some with me. Is it legal to take alcohol on an airplane, provided it’s in an unopened container, and in my suitcase (as opposed to my carry-on bag)? ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/2 "2005-03-30T16:43:10Z")
According to [Northwest Airlines](http://www.nwa.com/travel/tips/baggage.html), it’s is acceptable to pack: > [@](#): > > Alcoholic Beverages: In retail packaging containing between 24% up to 70% alcohol by volume and in receptacles not exceeding 5 liters and a total quantity per person of 5 liters may be accepted in carry-on luggage or checked luggage. Here’s [Southwest Airline’s policy](http://www.southwest.com/travel_center/alcohol.html): > [@](#): > > Alcoholic beverage must be in the original container with the manufacturer’s label. > > Flasks or unmarked containers cannot be carried onboard unless they are empty. > The seal may be broken or unbroken. > > The maximum quantity of alcohol that may be transported on Southwest Airlines per Customer is five liters. Wine is not subject to the five-liter-per-person limitation. Wine in checked baggage must be securely packaged in a leak-proof bag with a Styrofoam cushioning and a sturdy cardboard outer package to prevent spillage. > > Alcohol content may not exceed 70% by volume (140 proof) in either checked or unchecked luggage. Finally, [Delta](http://www.delta.com/travel/plan/baggage_info/special_baggage/dangerous_goods/index.jsp) lists alcohol over 140 proof as hazardous items that are prohibited. I would call the carrier to err on the side of caution, but it looks like you’ll have no problems. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/3 "2005-03-30T16:54:37Z")
You’d better bring a supply with you. There is no beer to be found anywhere in Chicago. Especially in Rigleyville or Lincoln Park. There are definitely no [Irish bars](http://centerstage.net/bars/articles/irish-eyes-drinking.html) in Chicago. Not one to be found anywhere. Nope, nope, nope. The above was sarcasm, by the way. As for the question about transporting alcohol; on the occasions I travel abroad, it is usually my custom to pick up a couple of bottles of some pricey stuff at a duty-free shop. No problem. I often carry a flask of hydroxyl nector in my carry-on. No one has ever made a peep about it. Anecdote: While on training with some cow-orkers in Cincinnati several years ago, one bloke wanted to bring back a couple of cases of some beer that couldn’t be found in our state (Missouri…now there’s a place that has some screwed up liquor laws.) We were flying in some Delta puddlejumper and the crew didn’t want us to put the beer in the unpressurized cargo compartment, so we _had_ to bring it on as a carry-on. No huhu, except for all the envious passengers. I don’t think you’ll have any problem locating your beverage of choice in Chicago, either in the city center or in the outlying regions. If beer’s your thing, keep an eye out for [Sprecher](http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/sprbeer.html), which is distributed in Chicago (but not California, unfortunately.) Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/4 "2005-03-30T17:09:55Z")
I’ve carried my own liquor on SW many times. Opened bottles, left overs from a vacation/weekend, carry on. Never tried beer (as luggage…). ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/5 "2005-03-30T17:17:22Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > I would call the carrier to err on the side of caution, but it looks like you’ll have no problems. Actually, if **norinew** is flying Northwest, it looks like beer _will_ be a problem. The quote you provided says that it is permissible to take alcohol containing between 24% and 70% alcohol by volume. This excludes just about any beer you’re likely to find, as well as virtually all wine. ---
**Author:** ![davmilasav](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9bcb4/32.png) [@davmilasav](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davmilasav)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/6 "2005-03-30T17:19:21Z")
When I worked at PIA\* we had to make sure to serve beer in plastic cups so that the alcohol was non-transportable. Security told us that if you take open alcohol on a plane that’s moving it across state lines…aka bootlegging. Gotta get them Duke Boys somehow, I guess. \*Pittsburgh International Airport ---
**Author:** ![UrbanChic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9dc877/32.png) [@UrbanChic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UrbanChic)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/7 "2005-03-30T17:23:15Z")
Good catch, mhendo. For some reason, I read that as 2\*\*.\*\*4% ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/8 "2005-03-30T17:41:56Z")
I would assume that you can carry on board anything that you can buy in duty-free stores anywhere in the world. (Since if you buy it, e.g., in Sydney, Australia, you may be carrying it on your second or later leg of your trip on a US domestic flight). And,yes, I’ve seen beer in duty-free stores. (Though I would not buy beer there, since the tax on beer is usually not that high, and you aren’t likelky to get a good price in duty-free). You may have problem if you open it and start drinking it on the plane, however. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/9 "2005-03-30T18:14:42Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Delta lists alcohol over 140 proof as hazardous items that are prohibited. Hell, _I’d_ consider alcohol over 140 proof as a hazardous item! > [@StrangerOnATrain](#): > > You’d better bring a supply with you. There is no beer to be found anywhere in Chicago. Especially in Rigleyville or Lincoln Park. There are definitely no Irish bars in Chicago. Not one to be found anywhere. Nope, nope, nope. > > The above was sarcasm, by the way. Well, I don’t have a problem with purchasing my beer _in_ Chicago. My only difficulty might be that I don’t have my own transportation, so I might be at the mercy of whatever businesses are in walking distance of the hotel, which is on Michigan Ave. > [@davmilisav](#): > > When I worked at PIA\* we had to make sure to serve beer in plastic cups so that the alcohol was non-transportable. Security told us that if you take open alcohol on a plane that’s moving it across state lines…aka bootlegging. I actually may be flying out of Pittsburgh, although I don’t know on what airline. It’s a conference, and all the arrangements are being made for me, and paid for by my hosts. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/10 "2005-03-30T18:30:21Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I would assume that you can carry on board anything that you can buy in duty-free stores anywhere in the world. (Since if you buy it, e.g., in Sydney, Australia, you may be carrying it on your second or later leg of your trip on a US domestic flight). I don’t see why. It is the responsibility of the passenger to know the regulations of every leg of his trip; the airlines are under no obligation to allow whatever the duty-free stores choose to sell. I think anyone following this reasoning might be in for a surprise when they try to board an airline that adopts regulations without consulting all the duty-free stores in the world. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/11 "2005-03-30T18:49:01Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Well, I don’t have a problem with purchasing my beer _in_ Chicago. My only difficulty might be that I don’t have my own transportation, so I might be at the mercy of whatever businesses are in walking distance of the hotel, which is on Michigan Ave. You aren’t going to have _any problem_ getting access to beer, there. OTOH, if you’ve the time and budget, there are a lot of nice pubs and bars within a cab or EL ride. I’m kind of partial to Rigleyville, personally. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/12 "2005-03-30T18:57:30Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > My only difficulty might be that I don’t have my own transportation, so I might be at the mercy of whatever businesses are in walking distance of the hotel, which is on Michigan Ave. You’ll be fine. [Here](http://www.thelocaltourist.com/Shopping/Food.htm#Liquor%20Stores%20&%20Wine) is a partial list of liquor stores in downtown Chicago. I’m sure there are plenty more. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/13 "2005-03-30T19:07:16Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > My only difficulty might be that I don’t have my own transportation, so I might be at the mercy of whatever businesses are in walking distance of the hotel, which is on Michigan Ave. Michigan and what? Although it’s been a couple of years, I had, um, a passing familiarity with one or two establishments in Chicago. And of course, in a pinch, there’s always the El, which can take you to some great places. Our motto in Chicago was “I just have to be sober enough to get on the El going the right way.” Have I mentioned that I miss Chicago? ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Doris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@Sir\_Doris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Doris)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/14 "2005-03-30T19:09:09Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I might be at the mercy of whatever businesses are in walking distance of the hotel, which is on Michigan Ave. I walked up and down Michagan Avenue looking for alcohol myself last year. There was a deli/liquor store not far from Millenium Park (heading North). There were a couple of grocery stores on East Illinois St (heading toward the lake) but I wasn’t looking for beer at the time so I can’t remember if they sold any. Of course this depends where you are and how far you are prepared to walk! Millenium Park is worth a visit though, you could combine the two. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/15 "2005-03-30T20:24:10Z")
Hmm. 70%. That means most Absinthes should be ok. 🙂 Blech. ---
**Author:** ![aaslatten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f14d63/32.png) [@aaslatten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aaslatten)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/16 "2005-03-30T20:26:47Z")
Slight hijack: What is the penalty for carrying and using a flask onboard? ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/17 "2005-03-30T20:43:37Z")
> [@Campion](#): > > Michigan and what? I’m not familiar with Chicago at all (never been there), but it’s the Westin Michigan Ave. at 909 N. Michigan Ave. > [@Stranger](#): > > OTOH, if you’ve the time and budget, there are a lot of nice pubs and bars within a cab or EL ride. Well, I’m not going to have an extravagant budget, but my hosts are giving me a _per diem_, and if I’m careful with most of the meals I have to supply myself, I should have the money to have some fun on Friday night. Any Chicago Dopers wanna join me at a pub? 🆒 :eek: 😃 (These smilies added at the request of my five-year-old, and have no relevance to the post). ---
**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/18 "2005-03-30T20:56:06Z")
Finding liquor in Chicago? LOL. I have no fear that you’re resourceful enough to find it. It’s a rare thing that a downtown area doesn’t have a few stores. Even in NH, with state controlled liquor stores, where you just have to go a little further. Beer and wine at nearly every place that sells gas and/or food (convience stores, grocery stores, etc.) As for taking it on a plane, though not in a flask, I’ve been known to mix a little of my friend Jim Beam in a 1Liter bottle of Diet Coke for a long flight. Never had a problem, though I don’t know what the penalties would really be if caught. As I don’t understand these folks that are just too drunk to get on a plane in the “airline” series on A&E, I don’t usually create a problem that anyone would notice the potential alcohol content of my blood. YMMV, IANAAW (airline worker) or anything else related to this subject, except IAAD (I am a drinker 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/19 "2005-03-30T21:57:10Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > I’m not familiar with Chicago at all (never been there), but it’s the Westin Michigan Ave. at 909 N. Michigan Ave. You’re in the right place. There are a ton of bars (some good, some way too college) on Rush Street. Go west from your hotel a couple blocks to hit Rush, then go north toward Division. I’d also try the River North area, which is (surprisingly) north of the river. From your hotel, go south to Chicago Ave., then go west to State or LaSalle, then go south. I haven’t been there in a while, but I hear they’ve done a fine job revitalizing that area. I never had any problems wandering around there at night, but YMMV. > [@norinew](#): > > Any Chicago Dopers wanna join me at a pub? Have I mentioned I miss Chicago? Have one for me. And I suppose it’s now appropriate to say, in response to the OP, it doesn’t matter: buy your beer when you get to Chicago. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2005, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962/20 "2005-03-30T23:15:57Z")
Every time I travel to Mexico, I come back with a few bottles of good tequila. I declare them at customs, tell the security folks about them, and nobody’s ever said a word. Never tried taking beer, though. I don’t know how the liquor laws work in Illinois, but around here (Montana) most of the bars are happy to sell you full (unopened) bottles or cans “to go” of your favorite beverage, so you can take some back to your hotel room. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-i-take-alcohol-on-an-airplane/296962.md?page=2)