Yahoo News Rules for taking alcohol on planes including easyJet, TUI and Ryanair flights
There are strict rules in place for any holidaymakers who want to take alcohol on planes.
We all know that passengers must separate their liquids into 100ml bottles of no more than one litre in total – though this is set to change and some UK airports have already updated the rules. However, there are additional guidelines in place when it comes to booze.
People are only permitted to take a certain amount of alcohol on a plane whether in their checked hold luggage or in their carry-on bag. Plus, any booze brought on board must be packaged in a specific way.
The Civil Aviation Authority states that any alcohol "more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume" should be in its original "retail packaging". This means that decanting alcohol over 24% ABV into smaller bottles to pass through security is not permitted.
But, most people who want to take alcohol on holiday choose to buy their booze at the airport where they can save money on duty free. However, there are still some rules that apply to booze bought at the airport, reports the Daily Star.
Holidaymakers may take "no more than five litres per individual receptacle" and "no more than a total net quantity of five litres per person". The quantity rules do not apply to alcohol under 24% ABV such as beer or wine, however, it’s important to remember that each individual country has its own laws about what you can bring into a country. Some nations ban the import of any alcohol at all while others have tax rules about quantity.
While you do not need airline approval to pack alcohol into your hold luggage most airlines do have individual rules around the booze you can bring into the cabin of the plane. If you do not follow the guidelines then you may be refused boarding or blacklisted from an airline if caught.
Jet2, British Airways, Lufthansa and Wizz Air all allow alcohol on board flights in your cabin bag so long as they comply with the above CAA rules. However, all ban the consumption of any booze not purchased from their on-board service. It must remain unopened in your bag for the duration of your flight.
Here is a look at some of the major UK airlines' rules.
easyJet
The easyJet guidance states: "You can bring alcohol bought in the airside departure lounge into the cabin, as long as it’s unopened. Alcohol must be lower than 70% abv, and packed either in an airport shopping bag or in your cabin bag. It’s strictly forbidden to drink any alcohol that has not been purchased on board the aircraft and those found consuming their own alcohol may face prosecution."
Ryanair
"Alcohol with an ABV of more than 70% (140% proof)," is banned outright. Duty free alcohol can be purchased on the flight or at the airport but "you must not drink your own alcohol when on the plane".
The airline has also recently banned alcohol in the cabin on board certain routes – particularly those to party island Ibiza. As part of the new rules, put in place last year, Ryanair said: "Customers will not be allowed to carry alcohol on board and all cabin baggage will be searched at the boarding gates. Any alcohol purchased in airport shops or elsewhere must be packed carefully in a suitable item of cabin baggage, which will be tagged at the gate and then placed in the aircraft hold free of charge if you have purchased priority boarding or have a small piece of hand luggage.
"If the bag is unsuitable for placing in the hold (e.g. plastic bag), then customers will be required to dispose of the alcohol in the bins provided. Boarding gates will be carefully monitored and customers showing any signs of anti-social behaviour or attempting to conceal alcohol will be denied travel without refund or compensation."
TUI
TUI states that passengers may bring on board "Alcoholic beverages, containing more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol by volume, when in retail packagings in receptacles not exceeding five litres, with a maximum total net quantity per person of five litres for such beverages. Note: Alcoholic beverages containing not more than 24% alcohol by volume are not subject to any restrictions. Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume are not permitted."
The airline adds: "Any liquids you buy from duty free must be carried in a sealed security bag - you'll be given this bag when you buy the item at the airport. You'll need to keep the item and the receipt sealed in the security bag throughout the journey.
"Just so you know, security officers might need to open the bag to screen the item. If you're going to be connecting with another flight at your destination airport, let the security officer know and they'll reseal it in a new security bag."
