# What is the age limit for drinking on international Delta flights? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 25, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282 "2017-12-25T21:29:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rastafarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6a8cbe/32.png) [@rastafarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rastafarian)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/1 "2017-12-25T21:29:52Z")
I’ll be travelling from DUB airport to JFK in a couple of days. It’s an international Delta flight that’s just about 8 hours long. I’m 20 so not yet 21 (next May). It’s legal to drink alcohol here in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland along with almost all of Europe. I have been given alcohol on an Ethiopian flight back in the summer. From what I’ve read, the carrier’s original nation determines the drinking age regardless of destination or whether it has taken off in nother far away countrt or not. Does this mean then that Delta Airline f/a’ s are definitely not allowed to serve me? I’ve heard otoh that they don’t ask for I.D. and are pretty leninet. I’m not underage in my country so should this be an issue? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/2 "2017-12-25T21:37:28Z")
I’ve been carded on a flight. I was into my 30s, I looked really young. It wasn’t a overseas flight. So I don’t know about that. But they can and do card. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/3 "2017-12-25T21:39:26Z")
From [Delta’s website](https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/traveling-with-us/onboard-experience/main-cabin-economy-class.html): > [@](#): > > Find regionally-selected craft beer, select wines and even a wide array of spirits for purchase for 21+; please drink responsibly. All available to purchase aboard each aircraft, along with complimentary non-alcoholic beverages. Looks like no by Delta’s rules … ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/4 "2017-12-25T21:54:06Z")
> [@rastafarian](#): > > From what I’ve read, the carrier’s original nation determines the drinking age regardless of destination or whether it has taken off in nother far away countrt or not. Does this mean then that Delta Airline f/a’ s are definitely not allowed to serve me? > > I’ve heard otoh that they don’t ask for I.D. and are pretty leninet. I’m not underage in my country so should this be an issue? You are underage if you fly Delta. I just picked several other US-based airlines and they are all 21 or older. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 25, 2017, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/5 "2017-12-25T22:08:54Z")
If you are worried about not being able to sleep on the flight, and really need to sleep, buy an antihistamine and bring it in your carry-on. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/6 "2017-12-26T04:13:18Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > Looks like no by Delta’s rules … Looks like you’ve quoted a policy for their domestic flights - I don’t think I’ve ever been on an international Delta flight where drinks weren’t free - anyway, to the OP, it’s basically going to be at the discretion of the flight attendant. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/7 "2017-12-26T05:50:53Z")
All the US based carriers use 21 as a policy. Flight attendants don’t appear to be very strict about the policy, they rarely check IDs. Sorry no good cites. This reporter asked and was answered 21 for delta. > **[How Airlines Decide the Drinking Age on International Flights](https://www.cntraveler.com/story/how-airlines-decide-the-drinking-age-on-international-flights)** > > After packing, getting to the airport, and clearing security, you finally fall back into your seat for the long flight ahead. You’re definitely ready for a drink, but will the cabin crew serve you? ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/8 "2017-12-26T06:05:26Z")
Forgot to add that your “Delta” flight may well be operated by a partner carrier (e.g. when we flew “Delta” JFK-Heathrow RT a couple of months ago the flights were actually with Virgin Atlantic.) ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/9 "2017-12-26T16:32:13Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > If you are worried about not being able to sleep on the flight, and really need to sleep, buy an antihistamine and bring it in your carry-on. QFT. Just to add, that all over the counter “sleep aids” at the drug store are–if they’re not things like “sleepy time” chamomile tea and the like–chemically equivalent to antihistamines (you can check the label). Also, FTR, good old Benadryls differ from the “24-hour” antihistamines (I forget their names) not only are they not “non-drowsy” (yay! for OP) but they kick in much faster. I keep both around. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/10 "2017-12-26T21:17:46Z")
In 1965 I was 16 years old and was on an international flight from LA to Argentina. As soon as we were over Mexico, I ordered a scotch and soda. I thought, well we are no longer in the USA. The stewardess brought me the scotch and soda, Why did I order a scotch and soda? Because I had seen it in the movies. Never had one, and that is what they drink in the movies. So, why not? I sampled it. It was disgusting. I watched the ice melt. Then took it to the bathroom to dispose of it. So, in times past you could order booze when you are a minor. Apparently times have changed. ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/11 "2017-12-26T22:03:54Z")
> [@harmonicamoon](#): > > So, in times past you could order booze when you are a minor. Apparently times have changed. That was true on the ground, too. When I was exactly 21, I never got carded, nor when I was 22, and 23 and 24. The first time I ever got carded, I was 29, and I got carded a lot after that. I got carded into my 40s. When I was in my early 20s, I served alcohol in my home to friends who were 19 & 20. I would not dream of doing that now, and it’s not because I’m 50 and the age difference is a little weird-- if I were 22 right now, I wouldn’t serve underage people in my home. The culture around alcohol has changed drastically since the 60s, and even quite a bit since the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/12 "2017-12-28T03:01:35Z")
> [@zombywoof](#): > > Forgot to add that your “Delta” flight may well be operated by a partner carrier (e.g. when we flew “Delta” JFK-Heathrow RT a couple of months ago the flights were actually with Virgin Atlantic.) But when you make the reservation, that’s always very clearly spelled out. You even have the option to exclude partner flights. There’s no easy way to excluded subsidiary flights, though. That is, “Delta Connection” is, strictly speaking, a different company, but can’t be excluded from results. But you certainly can exclude, say, Aeromexico and China Eastern. ---
**Author:** ![anomalous1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@anomalous1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anomalous1)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/13 "2017-12-28T03:10:22Z")
The drinking age of the country of original departure is what I’ve been led to believe. I’ve never been carded on a flight. Even when I was 20 or so. Only been on 6 flights or so. Just throwing my two cents in if that helps. ---
**Author:** ![rastafarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6a8cbe/32.png) [@rastafarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rastafarian)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2017, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-age-limit-for-drinking-on-international-delta-flights/805282/14 "2017-12-28T13:50:30Z")
Well times have certainly changed. I was denied.😃 Anyway, this is a lesson that I should choose another carrier like KLM or Aer Lingus. I think though I look extraordinarily young. No one can believe that I’m 20. Been denidd twice in the past even with I.D.