Alcohol on a plane?

[Piecey]

Anyone know if it's okay to take unopened alcohol in your checked baggage?
My brother is wanting to do this for our trip to Orlando next week and asked me to check on it for him..

Looked all over the airlines webpage and the TSA Prohibited/Permitted page but didn't find anything saying one way or another.

Wondered if anyone has any personal experiences

We're flying on USAir. Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

I often bring some home duty free when abroad---shouldn't be a problem.

 

[CarolA]

I would carry it on.... What if it BREAKS!!! (I had a friend who had a bottle of RED wine break in her luggage!)

 

[Piecey]

Hmm.. I don't know what type of alcohol he's planning on bringing. Probably just something like jack and he can wrap it up pretty well in clothes (and I'll make sure to take a bag to wrap it in, just in case )

wouldnt taking it on carry on cause some problems?? I'd think so..

 

[Vavasmon]

As long as you are 21 and the bottle is sealed you can carry alcohol onto any flight in the US. You can not open any alcohol on the plane - winearies often sell carrying boxes for that exact purpose. I have carried a single bottle home on many trips.

Like the previous poster - I am to afraid to check it in my baggage. If it broke it would be a huge mess.

 

[safetymom]

Also be careful if you carry it on. I once had my clothes drenched when a bottle of alcohol broke in the overhead compartment. When we went to take off I was bathed in alcohol. Not a great way to start the trip. The gentleman next to me was in a business suit and headed for a meeting straight from the airport.

Make sure your alcohol is protected.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Anyone know if it's okay to take unopened alcohol in your checked baggage?
My brother is wanting to do this for our trip to Orlando next week and asked me to check on it for him..

Yes, but carry your unopened bottles onto the plane; don't check them. Checked luggage is treated roughly, so even well wrapped bottles can be broken. Also, there's always a possibility that someone will open the bag and steal the bottles.

There are limits on the dimensions of carry-on luggage. For US Airways' limits, see http://www.usairways.com/travel/airport/index.htm#BaggagePackingTips

 

[Poohbear123]

I use the small plastic bottles, about a pint I think. Had no problem, and I put tape around the lid also.

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I put more than a case of beer in a carry on once with no problem (although it was pre TSA). It was a really excellent microbrew that was only sold in one or two states and I couldn't get it at home, so I brought home as much as I could fit into the carry on. That bag was heavy!!

 

[Brian Noble]

(Sorry, I missed the bit about checking it. Definitely carry it on.)

 

[salmoneous]

Here's the current reg on what is allowed:

49 CFR Regulatory Text

175.10(a)(17)
Alcohol beverages containing:
(i) not more than 24% alcohol by volume; or
(ii) more than 24% and not more than 70% alcohol by volume when in retail packaging not exceeding 5 liters (1.3 gallons) carried by a crew member or passenger in checked or carry-on baggage, with a total net quantity per person of 5 liters (1.3 gallons) for such beverages.

 

[QT Pooh]

Yes, we've done it in both our carry-ons and our checked luggage. Just make sure they're wrapped up in bubble wrap. After they're wrapped, I also put them inside a 2 or 2 1/2 gallon plastic bag depending on the size of the bottle. If it's something that's available everywhere, you might just want to go to a liquor store at your destination.

 

[snowbunny]

You can do it but you're taking a big risk of a mess if it breaks. My brother transported a special bottle of wine this way, put it in one of his moccasins inside the suitcase. When it broke, of course the wine was lost but the shoe was filled with shards of broken glass and the pair had to be tossed...I would not do it.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes, you can carry liquor onto the plane - you just can't drink it.

 

[manning]

Also be careful if you carry it on. I once had my clothes drenched when a bottle of alcohol broke in the overhead compartment. When we went to take off I was bathed in alcohol. Not a great way to start the trip. The gentleman next to me was in a business suit and headed for a meeting straight from the airport.

Make sure your alcohol is protected.

Must have been an interesting flight and business meeting. Sounds like one of those times when you are looking for that hole to crawl into.