Yes. Wine under 100 ml can go in carry-on; full bottles belong in checked bags. Don’t drink your own onboard; pack sealed bottles per TSA rules.
What the rules say for wine
Most wine ranges from 9% to 16% alcohol by volume, so it falls in the ≤ 24% bracket that airlines and security use. In checked baggage, that bracket has no quantity cap. Your real limits are airline weight rules and how carefully you cushion glass. In carry-on, wine is treated like shampoo or lotion: each container must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and all of them must fit in one quart-size bag under the 3-1-1 liquids rule. If a bottle is bigger than 100 ml, it needs to go in a checked bag or be bought duty-free after screening.
| Scenario | Carry-on | Checked bag |
|---|---|---|
| Wine ≤ 24% ABV (most still and sparkling) | Allowed only in containers ≤ 100 ml inside one quart-size bag | No quantity cap; wrap bottles well against impact |
| Fortified wine up to 24% ABV (many ports, sherries, vermouths) | Same 100 ml rule as above | No quantity cap when ≤ 24% ABV |
| Alcohol 24%–70% ABV (not typical wine) | ≤ 100 ml per container; quart-bag limit applies | Max 5 L per person; must be unopened and in retail packaging |
| Alcohol > 70% ABV | Not permitted | Not permitted |
| Duty-free wine in a STEB (sealed, tamper-evident bag) | Usually allowed through transfers when sealed and screened | Always fine when packed safely |
| Corkscrew without blade | Allowed | Allowed |
| Corkscrew with a small blade or foil cutter | Not allowed | Allowed; wrap to protect inspectors |
| Drinking your own wine on board | Not allowed; only crew may serve alcohol | Not applicable |
Two links worth bookmarking: the TSA page on alcoholic beverages lays out the ABV brackets, and the 3-1-1 page explains the carry-on bag and container limits. Stick to those and you’ll glide through screening.
Bringing wine on a plane: rules that matter
Security treats wine like any liquid. Tiny portions can ride in your cabin bag. Full bottles ride in your checked bag. That’s the simple split. Beyond that, three points trip up travelers again and again: duty-free detours, self-service in the cabin, and misunderstanding the alcohol brackets.
Carry-on wine rules
Carry-on wine must live inside your quart-size liquids bag, in containers that hold 100 ml or less. Airline “splits” of 187 ml are too big for screening, so don’t plan on bringing those through a checkpoint. Even if you pack legal minis, you still can’t sip them in your seat. U.S. regulations say passengers may not drink alcohol unless it’s served by the operator of the flight. The cabin crew pours the drinks, sets limits, and can say no. If you want a glass during the ride, order from the menu and let the professionals handle service.
Checked bag wine rules
Checked bags are perfect for full bottles because most wine sits below the 24% cutoff that has no quantity cap. Focus on protection, not permits. Glass fails when it takes a sharp hit or when pressure squeezes the neck. The fix is simple: cushion the sides, support the base, and immobilize the neck so it can’t lever against luggage walls. Commercial sleeves work great. A doubled zip bag and a sweater work too. Place bottles in the center of the suitcase, surrounded by soft items, never hard edges.
Where duty-free fits
Buying wine after security is convenient, especially with tight layovers. Shops seal bottles in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt visible. That package can pass transfer screening at many airports as long as the seal stays intact and the item clears the scanner. If a connection sends you back to public screening, be ready to check the bottle or move it into checked baggage before you re-enter the line. Keep the receipt handy, and don’t open the bag until you reach your final stop.
Taking wine on planes: packing and policy tips
Good packing prevents leaks and broken glass. It also speeds screening. The ideas below come from real-world trial and error and match the way bags get handled behind the scenes.
Build a leak-tight package
Start at the top. Tape the capsule and cap so nothing can work loose. Slip the bottle into a heavy zip bag and squeeze out air. Wrap in soft clothing that fills space and absorbs shock. If you carry more than one bottle, put a thick layer between them so glass never touches glass. A hard-shell suitcase helps because the wall resists flex when bags stack in the hold.
Shield the weak points
The neck and shoulders take the worst knocks. Give them extra padding. A thick sock or a foam sleeve around the neck helps a lot. Lay the bottle vertical if your suitcase has a snug corner that holds it tight. Lay it horizontal with padding on both sides if not. Before you zip the case, pick it up by the handle and shake lightly. If you feel movement, add another wrap.
Mind pressure and temperature
Cabins and holds are pressurized, so intact bottles rarely pop. Small leaks come from loose closures or big temperature swings before the bag goes on the belt. Keep wine out of hot cars and direct sun. If you chill a bottle, use frozen ice packs at drop-off. Gel packs that slosh can flag a bag for inspection, so freeze them solid.
Think ahead for souvenirs
Headed to a wine region? Toss two inflatable sleeves or a fold-flat shipper in your luggage. They weigh almost nothing and save you a scramble at checkout. If you plan to bring back several bottles, ask the winery for a foam shipper and check it as luggage. Many airlines accept these as standard checked bags when they fit size and weight rules.
Safety and etiquette on board
The law puts alcohol service in the crew’s hands. That keeps the cabin calm and predictable. In the U.S., the rule reads plainly: no one may drink alcohol on an aircraft unless it’s served by the operator. So don’t crack a mini, don’t pour from a duty-free purchase, and don’t argue with a cut-off. If you’re served wine by the airline, sip slowly and drink water. A flight is not the place to test your limits.
Common edge cases many travelers miss
Gate-checking a bag. If a full flight forces you to gate-check a carry-on that holds wine, screening rules still apply. A sealed duty-free bag often passes at the jet bridge on domestic hops, but agents can say no. Ask before boarding starts and keep a backup plan ready.
International connections. Airports handle duty-free liquids in different ways. Some keep you airside and wave a sealed bag through secondary screening. Others route you back to public screening where the 100 ml rule returns. Keep the receipt visible and the bag sealed until you reach your final stop.
Sparkling wine. Pressure inside the bottle runs high, so pad the cork and neck generously. Keep sparkling away from hard corners and heavy shoes. If you open it at your destination soon after landing, crack it gently.
Opened bottles. Resealed wine leaks and often fails screening. Pour leftovers into food-safe 100 ml containers if you must carry it on, or enjoy the rest before you head to the airport.
Corkscrews. A bladeless corkscrew can travel in your cabin bag. Any version with a small knife or foil cutter belongs in checked luggage and should be wrapped so inspectors don’t get nicked.
Weight fees. Two standard bottles add about three pounds. Weigh your luggage at home if you’re close to a tier, since overweight fees sting more than a corked bottle.
Carry-on vs checked: quick comparison
| Aspect | Carry-on wine | Checked wine |
|---|---|---|
| Legal size/limit | ≤ 100 ml containers inside one quart-size bag | No cap for ≤ 24% ABV; up to 5 L per person for 24%–70% ABV |
| Breakage risk | Low with tiny containers | Low when bottles are padded and immobilized |
| Screening friction | Higher if you forget the liquids bag | Lower; checks happen behind the scenes |
| Access during flight | No self-service in the cabin | No access until landing |
| Best use | Small tastings or gifts under 100 ml | Winery buys, gifts, and duty-free bottles |
Mini packing checklist for wine
- Sturdy suitcase or a foam shipper for multiple bottles
- Two heavy zip bags per bottle for leak containment
- Soft clothing or bubble sleeves for padding and immobilizing
- Tape for capsules and screw caps
- Bladeless corkscrew in carry-on; bladed opener in checked
- Printed receipts for duty-free purchases and transfers
- Luggage scale to verify weight before you leave home
Bottom line for wine on planes
Wine flies just fine when you keep three things straight. Keep any carry-on portions at 100 ml or less and in one quart-size bag. Put full bottles in checked baggage with real padding around the sides, base, and neck. Let the crew handle all service in the cabin. For the letter of the rules, see the TSA’s pages on the 3-1-1 rule and alcoholic beverages, and the federal regulation that bans self-pouring in flight, 14 CFR § 121.575. Follow those, pack smart, and your bottle will land ready for a proper toast.