Alcohol on Flights
Find out which airlines do and don't serve alcohol on board with Alternative Airlines
Do airlines serve alcohol?
Most major airlines serve alcohol on board, however, there are some airlines that completely restrict alcohol on flights due to religious or cultural reasons, particularly those based in the Middle East and some parts of Asia.
You also might be wondering if alcohol is complimentary on board your flight or if you have to pay. To help you better understand what to expect onboard, we've done the research and created a list of airlines that do serve alcohol (and those that don't!).
Can you bring alcohol on a plane?
In most cases, you can bring alcohol on the flight with you, however, there are some restrictions depending on whether you pack it in your carry-on baggage or your checked baggage. It also depends on your destination - if you're travelling to a country that prohibits alcohol consumption and possession, you may not be able to bring alcohol with you onboard.
Based on the TSA's guidelines, there's no limit on how much alcohol you can pack in your checked baggage, as long as the alcohol content is no more than 70% ABV. The rules for carrying alcohol in your carry-on are a bit stricter. All liquids, including alcohol, need to be in 100ml containers or less and placed inside a single, clear, quart-sized, resealable bag.
The airline you're flying with may have limitations on what you can carry in your carry-on and checked baggage so be sure to check their specific baggage policies.
What airlines don't serve alcohol?
Dry Airlines
Many airlines based in predominantly Muslim countries operate as dry airlines, meaning no alcohol is served onboard. But just because an airline is based in a Muslim country, this doesn't mean that it will be a dry airline. Emirates, for example, is based in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and has recently invested over $500 million in wine, alongside an enormous wine-storage facility in France.
Alcohol is not served on the following airlines:
Saudia (Saudi Arabia)
Saudia follows Islamic laws - this means it doesn't serve alcohol on its flights. It also prohibits the drinking and carrying of alcohol on all of its routes.
Egyptair (Egypt)
Egyptair doesn't sell or serve alcohol on its flights, however, it doesn't prohibit you from bringing your own alcoholic products onto the aircraft.
Iran Air (Iran)
Iran has a ban on alcohol therefore Iran Air doesn't serve alcoholic drinks on its flights.
Royal Brunei Airlines (Brunei)
Royal Brunei Airlines doesn't serve alcohol itself but allows non-Muslim passengers to bring their own duty-free alcohol onboard for consumption during their flight. Flight attendants will also serve non-Muslims alcoholic beverages during meals.
Kuwait Airways (Kuwait)
Kuwait Airways, the national carrier of Kuwait, follows a strict no-alcohol policy on all of its flights and therefore won't serve any alcohol. However, passengers are allowed to bring unopened duty-free alcohol onboard.
Air Arabia (United Arab Emirates)
Air Arabia doesn't serve alcohol on board and also doesn't allow the consumption of alcohol by passengers. This policy is in line with the cultural and legal norms of the airline's base in Sharjah, UAE.
Turkish Airlines (Turkey)
Turkish Airlines serves alcohol on international flights, however, on some routes to and from Muslim countries, alcohol won't be served due to cultural and religious reasons. The airline also won't serve alcohol on domestic flights in Turkey due to time constraints.
Iraqi Airways (Iraq)
Iraqi Airways is a dry airline due to religious reasons, so it won't serve alcohol on board. Passengers are allowed to take purchased alcohol on board but are not prohibited to open the bottles.
Jazeera Airways (Kuwait)
With Jazeera Airways, you're allowed to take unopened bottles of alcohol on board your flight but won't be able to open it or consume it. The airline also won't serve alcohol as it follows a strict no-alcohol policy in line with Islamic laws.
Drukair (Bhutan)
Drukair doesn't serve alcohol onboard however passengers are allowed to have alcohol in checked baggage.
You can find out more about the rules around alcohol on Saudi Arabian flights here.
What airlines serve alcohol for free?
Most airlines serve alcoholic beverages, however, only a selection of major airlines offer complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Emirates
Alcoholic drinks are complimentary on Emirates flights, even in Economy Class! It provides a selection of wines, beers and spirits as part of its complimentary drinks service available to all cabin classes.
Etihad Airways
No matter what cabin class you're flying in, Etihad Airways will offer a complimentary beverage with its meal service - this includes alcoholic beverages.
Qatar Airways
All drinks are complimentary on board Qatar Airways flights, including alcoholic beverages like wine, beer and spirits. This is available for all cabin classes.
Turkish Airlines
Wine, beer and spirits are free on international Turkish Airlines flights, however, alcohol isn't served on domestic flights.
Singapore Airlines
When flying with Singapore Airlines, you can expect a selection of free alcoholic drinks, even in Economy Class. Some of the free alcoholic drinks it offers include wine, Singapore Sling, whisky, cognac, gin, vodka, liqueurs and rum.
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic offers complimentary alcoholic drinks on many of its flights, including a selection of wines, beers, spirits and cocktails. Champagne is available too but will need to be purchased onboard.
Air France
Air France does provide complimentary alcohol on all of its flights (even in Economy Class), however, free champagne is only available in Economy on long-haul flights.
Lufthansa
Onboard Lufthansa flights, complimentary alcoholic beverages are provided if you're flying in Business or First Class. You can expect an offering of wine or champagne with your meal (or any other alcoholic drink of your choice).
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FAQs
Can you bring alcohol on a flight?
Yes, but there are certain restrictions and rules that you'll need to follow before taking alcohol onto your flight.
Alcohol in carry-on baggage:
- There are no quantity limitations for containers of alcohol with an 'alcohol by volume' (ABV) of 24% or less.
- You need to follow the 3-1-1 rule for liquids - containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less, and fit comfortably in a single, quart-sized, clear, plastic bag.
- For containers of alcohol with an ABV between 24% and 70% (such as liquors, vodka, rum, etc.), the quantity you can take is limited to 3.4 ounces (100ml) per container. These containers must also fit inside your quart-sized bag.
Alcohol in checked baggage:
- You can pack up to 5 litres (1.3 gallons) of alcohol per passenger if the ABV is between 24% and 70%. The container of alcohol must be in unopened retail packaging.
Duty-free:
- If you buy alcohol at duty-free shops after you have cleared security, the same 5-litre limit applies with an ABV between 24% and 70%. Duty-free shops will usually seal the alcohol in a tamper-evident bag. We recommend keeping your receipt and not attempting to open the seal, otherwise your alcohol may be confiscated by the TSA.
How much alcohol can I bring on an international flight?
The amount of alcohol you can take onto international flights will depend on whether you're taking it in your carry-on or checked baggage, as well as your destination country.
In your carry-on baggage, all liquids (including alcohol) must be in 100ml containers or less and must fit inside a single, quart-sized, clear, plastic bag.
In your checked baggage, there is no limit on the quantity of alcohol you can take if it has an ABV of 24% or less. For alcohol with an ABV of 24% to 70%, the limit is 5 litres (1.3 gallons) per passenger. The container of alcohol must be unopened and in retail packaging.
These are general guidelines that you can follow from TSA. For more specific guidelines, please check directly with the airline you're flying with. It's also a good idea to research the customs regulations of the country you're visiting.
Can I take alcohol on a domestic flight?
Yes, you can bring alcohol on a domestic flight (depending on the country you're flying within) but you will need to follow specific rules.
TSA guidelines state that containers of alcohol must be 100ml or less, and must fit comfortably inside a single, clear, quart-sized bag. Mini liquor bottles will need to be small enough to comply with this size restriction.
TSA also states that if you have checked baggage on your domestic flight, there is no limit on the quantity of alcohol you can take if it has an ABV of 24% or less. For alcohol with an ABV of 24% to 70%, the limit is 5 litres (1.3 gallons) per passenger. The container of alcohol must be unopened and in retail packaging.
These rules apply for domestic flights within the USA, however, the rules may differ for other countries. For example, if you have booked domestic flights in Saudi Arabia, you won't be allowed to bring your own alcohol into the country as it is illegal to do so. For flights within the Middle East, the rules are similar, though some countries allow the sale of alcohol in specific areas for tourists.
Which airlines don't serve alcohol?
Airlines that choose not to sell alcohol onboard may do so for various reasons, such as cultural considerations, cost-saving measures, safety concerns, or to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere.
If you'd like to book flights with an airline that doesn't serve alcohol, or you want to make sure you book a flight with an airline that does serve alcohol, check out our blog post on the 'Top 10 airlines that don't serve alcohol'.