Yes, alcohol can go in cabin baggage on most flights, but only small travel-size bottles or duty-free sealed bags that meet liquid and strength limits.
Not Allowed
Conditional
Allowed
Carry-On
- Minis up to 100 ml each
- All liquids in one quart bag
- No self-serve drinking on board
Cabin
Checked
- 24–70% ABV: up to 5 L
- Retail-sealed packaging
- ≤24% ABV: no set limit
Hold
Duty-Free (STEB)
- Keep seal and receipt visible
- Okay through transfers
- Open only after arrival
Special
Carrying Alcohol In Cabin Baggage: Practical Rules
Two things decide what fits in a cabin bag: liquid size and alcohol strength. Travel-size bottles up to 100 ml live inside a single quart bag. Beer, wine, and low-proof drinks follow that same liquid size cap at the checkpoint. Anything bigger than 100 ml only flies in the cabin when it comes sealed as duty-free in a tamper-evident bag that stays closed during transfers.
Strength matters too. Drinks stronger than 70% ABV never fly in hand luggage or the hold. Mid-strength bottles from 24% to 70% ABV can ride in checked bags in retail packaging, up to five liters total per traveler. Lighter drinks under 24% ABV face no set quantity cap when checked, though airline and customs rules still apply.
If you’re flying in the United States, the TSA 3-1-1 rule sets the cabin liquid size. For the strength caps and the no-self-pour rule on board, see the FAA PackSafe page. On many routes outside the U.S., security accepts duty-free liquids in a sealed STEB, with the receipt visible.
Quick Matrix: What Fits In The Cabin
| Item | Cabin Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Miniatures (≤100 ml each) | Allowed | All bottles must fit in one quart bag |
| Beer, wine, cider (≤100 ml) | Allowed | Counts toward your 3-1-1 bag |
| Beer, wine, cider (>100 ml) | Duty-free only | Sealed STEB with receipt |
| Spirits 24–70% ABV (>100 ml) | Duty-free only | Keep sealed until final arrival |
| Anything >70% ABV | Not allowed | Ban applies to cabin and hold |
Duty-Free Liquor And Connections
Buying after security helps, since duty-free shops seal bottles in a tamper-evident bag. Keep the receipt visible. At a transfer point, screeners may scan the bag or reseal it. If you leave the secure area during a long layover, you may need to follow the local 100 ml rule again to re-enter, so plan your purchase close to the last leg when you can.
Rules differ by airport and region. Many hubs in Europe still follow the 100 ml cabin limit at security, yet accept duty-free liquids in a STEB during transfers. You’ll still board with that bottle as long as the seal remains intact and secondary screening clears it. Local exemptions change as new scanners roll out, so always check your departure and transfer airports before you shop. A short read on the European Commission liquids page explains the baseline many airports use.
Packing And Behavior Inside The Cabin
Cabin space is tight, so think leak-proof. Keep minis upright inside the quart bag and tighten caps. A slim zip pouch or a small hard case stops rattling. Never open personal alcohol in flight. Crew must serve any drink on board; that’s the rule across U.S. carriers and many others. A sealed duty-free bag stays closed until you land.
Expect the bag search if a bottle looks oversized. Officers may measure or test the liquid. A clear answer and a tidy setup usually speeds that chat. If a screener needs to open a duty-free bag, ask for a fresh STEB once they finish. That keeps your transfer on track.
Checked Vs Cabin: Picking The Right Spot
Bring minis in the cabin when you only want a small amount at your destination. If you’re gifting a full bottle, checked baggage is the safer ride, within the strength and quantity caps. Use a padded sleeve or molded bottle protector. Double-bag the neck with tape to stop drips. Wrap in soft clothes near the center of the case, away from edges.
Customs duty is separate from airline carriage. Local import limits still apply when you cross a border, even if the airline allowed the item. That’s why the receipt stays handy. Border agents may ask about origin, volume, and proof.
Regional Nuance You Should Know
Screening tech now varies widely. Some airports use CT scanners that allow larger cabin liquids for local departures. Many still run the classic 100 ml limit. When you start in a “larger-liquids” airport and connect through a “100 ml” airport, the stricter limit can bite during re-screening. Duty-free in a sealed STEB reduces that risk, yet staff at the connection still make the final call.
Outside the U.S., the European Commission maintains the liquids and gels policy that many airports follow, including the STEB transfer exemption. Airports publish local notes too, so check your route before you pack.
Smart Packing Steps
For Cabin Minis
- Count the bottles before you fly and test each cap.
- Stand them upright inside the quart bag to save space.
- Add a small napkin in the bag to catch any mist.
For Duty-Free Bags
- Ask the clerk to place the receipt where screeners can see it.
- Keep the seal intact until your last exit door.
- Leave space in your personal item for the STEB so hands stay free.
For Checked Bottles
- Pick retail-sealed bottles for mid-strength liquor.
- Pad the base and the neck, then surround with clothes.
- Mark the case “Fragile” and photograph the contents before closing.
Airline Fine Print That Triggers Snags
Some carriers restrict cabin alcohol beyond the standard liquid limits, especially on certain routes. Cabin crew can also hold duty-free items if a passenger opens a seal too soon. If your carrier runs a tight policy, buy at the final airport or gate shop once you clear the last checkpoint.
Upgrades and seat changes can shift your boarding group or overhead space, which affects where that STEB sits. If the bag must go in the bin, lay it flat, away from moving wheels. Avoid a crowded footwell; stray pressure can pop a twist cap.
Real-World Scenarios
Same-Airport Round Trip With Carry-On Only
Pack two minis in your quart bag, fly out, and fly back with the bag unchanged. Simple and tidy. No duty-free buying needed.
International With A U.S. Connection
Buy after security at your last foreign airport, ask for a STEB, keep the receipt visible, and keep the seal closed through the U.S. connection. If you must exit and re-enter security, you’ll need that sealed bag to pass the second check.
Gift Bottle To Check
Choose a 700 ml spirit at 40% ABV. Leave it unopened. Pack in a bottle sleeve in the checked case. You’re inside the 24–70% ABV range and under the five-liter cap.
Second Matrix: Packing Choices And Tradeoffs
| Goal | Best Place | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Quick taste on arrival | Cabin minis | Fits liquid rule and saves time at baggage claim |
| Premium gift bottle | Checked bag | Room for padding and no size cap inside the case |
| Tax-free savings | Duty-free STEB | Sealed bag passes transfer screening when intact |
Short Checklist Before You Leave Home
- Match each bottle to its spot: mini, STEB, or checked.
- Confirm strength and volume against your route.
- Save a photo of the TSA alcohol page to your phone in case a question comes up.
- Carry spare zip bags and a small roll of tape.
- Leave space in your bag for a duty-free purchase on the last leg.