Alcoholic beverage on a plane

Depends on your item

Short answer: Under TSA and FAA rules: in carry-on bags, it is allowed with alcohol by volume up to 70 %, volume of one container up to 3.4 fl oz (100 ml), alcohol by volume more than 24 % and total volume up to 5 l; in checked bags, it depends on alcohol by volume (reviewed 2026-10-27).

These are the reviewed rules for a alcoholic beverage on flights departing the United States. Each rule is listed as its official source states it, with the date we last reviewed it. A rule from security screening, from the dangerous goods regulations and from your airline can all apply at once, and you need to meet every one of them.

Most recent review on this page: 2026-10-27. Also called: alcohol, wine, beer, liquor, spirits.

Alcoholic beverage: each airline's own limits

Rules each airline adds for a alcoholic beverage. TSA and FAA rules, listed below, apply as well.
Airline	Carry-on bag	Checked bag
Alaska Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Allegiant Air	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
American Airlines All American Airlines rules for this item	Not allowedAlcohol by volume: more than 70 %	Not allowedAlcohol by volume: more than 70 % AllowedAlcohol by volume: less than 70 % AllowedAlcohol by volume: at least 24 %; Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %Total volume: up to 5 l
Breeze Airways	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Delta Air Lines All Delta Air Lines rules for this item	AllowedAlcohol by volume: less than 48 proof AllowedAlcohol by volume: at least 48 proofAlcohol by volume: up to 140 proofTotal volume: up to 5 l	AllowedAlcohol by volume: less than 48 proof AllowedAlcohol by volume: at least 48 proofAlcohol by volume: up to 140 proofTotal volume: up to 5 l
Frontier Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
JetBlue Airways	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
Southwest Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed
United Airlines	No airline rule reviewed	No airline rule reviewed

Check your alcoholic beverage with the item checker

Alcoholic beverage in a carry-on bag

Security screening (TSA)

Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage up to 70% alcohol: allowed in carry-on bags in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %
Limits
Volume of one container: up to 3.4 fl oz (100 ml)
Also note
- Mini bottles of alcohol in carry-on must fit comfortably into a single quart-sized bag.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Alcoholic beverages. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Not allowed
Alcoholic beverage with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof): not allowed in carry-on bags.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Dangerous goods (FAA)

Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage with more than 24% and not more than 70% alcohol: 5 L per packaging and 5 L in total per passenger, in unopened retail packaging.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 24 %
Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %
Limits
Volume of one container: up to 5 l
Total volume: up to 5 l
Also note
- Must be in unopened retail packaging.
- Liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on baggage are further limited to 100-ml (3.4 oz) containers at the TSA security checkpoint.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: PackSafe - Alcoholic Beverages. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

American Airlines policy

Not allowed
Alcoholic beverage over 70 percent by volume on American: not allowed.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Delta Air Lines policy

Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcohol under 48 proof on Delta (carry-on): permitted.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: less than 48 proof
Also note
- Only alcohol bought after the security checkpoint, and it must meet carry-on guidelines. Alcohol bought before the checkpoint follows the security rules.
- Alcohol must be in its original unopened retail packaging.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Delta Air Lines: Food & Alcohol Transportation. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcohol of 48 proof or more on Delta (carry-on): at most 140 proof, up to 5 liters per person.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: at least 48 proof
Limits
Alcohol by volume: up to 140 proof
Total volume: up to 5 l
Also note
- Only alcohol bought after the security checkpoint, and it must meet carry-on guidelines. Alcohol bought before the checkpoint follows the security rules.
- Alcohol must be in its original unopened retail packaging.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Delta Air Lines: Food & Alcohol Transportation. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Alcoholic beverage in a checked bag

Security screening (TSA)

Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage with 24% alcohol or less: no limitations in checked bags.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: up to 24 %
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Alcoholic beverages. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage with more than 24% and not more than 70% alcohol: up to 5 liters per passenger in checked bags, in unopened retail packaging.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 24 %
Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %
Limits
Total volume: up to 5 l
Also note
- Must be in unopened retail packaging.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Alcoholic beverages. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Not allowed
Alcoholic beverage with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof): not allowed in checked bags.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %
Source: TSA: What Can I Bring? Alcoholic beverages over 140 proof. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Dangerous goods (FAA)

Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage with more than 24% and not more than 70% alcohol: 5 L per packaging and 5 L in total per passenger, in unopened retail packaging.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 24 %
Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %
Limits
Volume of one container: up to 5 l
Total volume: up to 5 l
Also note
- Must be in unopened retail packaging.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: FAA: PackSafe - Alcoholic Beverages. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

American Airlines policy

Not allowed
Alcoholic beverage over 70 percent by volume on American: not allowed.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage under 70 percent by volume on American: allowed in checked bags; opened containers are not allowed.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: less than 70 %
Also note
- Opened containers are not allowed.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcoholic beverage of 24 to 70 percent alcohol by volume on American: a maximum of 5 liters per passenger in checked bags.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: at least 24 %
Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %
Limits
Total volume: up to 5 l
Source: American Airlines: Restricted items in bags. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Delta Air Lines policy

Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcohol under 48 proof on Delta (checked): permitted.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: less than 48 proof
Also note
- Alcohol must be in its original unopened retail packaging.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Delta Air Lines: Food & Alcohol Transportation. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.
Allowed, with the conditions listed
Alcohol of 48 proof or more on Delta (checked): at most 140 proof, up to 5 liters per person.
Applies when
Alcohol by volume: at least 48 proof
Limits
Alcohol by volume: up to 140 proof
Total volume: up to 5 l
Also note
- Alcohol must be in its original unopened retail packaging.
Being rechecked: we are comparing this rule with its source again, so it is not shown. Check the official source below.
Source: Delta Air Lines: Food & Alcohol Transportation. Reviewed on 2026-10-27.

Before you pack alcoholic beverage

Use this list with your actual item and itinerary. It summarizes the current source-reviewed entries below; it does not replace the complete conditions or the airline's instructions.

Check the reviewed Carry-on bag and Checked bag rules below. If a bag type is not listed, that does not mean it is allowed: verify it with the airline and relevant authority.
Check the item's specifications against the listed requirements:
- Carry-on bag · security screening: Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %; Volume of one container: up to 3.4 fl oz (100 ml). Official source.
- Carry-on bag · security screening: Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · dangerous goods: Alcohol by volume: more than 24 %; Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %; Volume of one container: up to 5 l; Total volume: up to 5 l. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: less than 48 proof. Official source.
- Carry-on bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: at least 48 proof; Alcohol by volume: up to 140 proof; Total volume: up to 5 l. Official source.
- Checked bag · security screening: Alcohol by volume: up to 24 %. Official source.
- Checked bag · security screening: Alcohol by volume: more than 24 %; Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %; Total volume: up to 5 l. Official source.
- Checked bag · security screening: Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %. Official source.
- Checked bag · dangerous goods: Alcohol by volume: more than 24 %; Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %; Volume of one container: up to 5 l; Total volume: up to 5 l. Official source.
- Checked bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: more than 70 %. Official source.
- Checked bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: less than 70 %. Official source.
- Checked bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: at least 24 %; Alcohol by volume: up to 70 %; Total volume: up to 5 l. Official source.
- Checked bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: less than 48 proof. Official source.
- Checked bag · airline policy: Alcohol by volume: at least 48 proof; Alcohol by volume: up to 140 proof; Total volume: up to 5 l. Official source.
Do not pack a configuration covered by these prohibitions without checking the full rule and its conditions:
- Carry-on bag: Alcoholic beverage with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof): not allowed in carry-on bags. Read the source.
- Carry-on bag: Alcoholic beverage over 70 percent by volume on American: not allowed. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Alcoholic beverage with more than 70% alcohol (over 140 proof): not allowed in checked bags. Read the source.
- Checked bag: Alcoholic beverage over 70 percent by volume on American: not allowed. Read the source.
Confirm the operating airline, connecting airports and destination rules. This site does not verify destination customs or quarantine restrictions.
Recheck the linked official sources shortly before departure; published guidance and your flight circumstances can change.

What you need to know about your alcoholic beverage

The rules above depend on:

Volume of one container
Total volume
Alcohol by volume

Commonly confused

Allowed in a carry-on bag does not mean allowed in a checked bag. The rules for each are listed separately above.
Security screening (TSA) and dangerous goods rules (FAA) are different rules. An airline can also set stricter limits. Where a source has no rule for a case, we say so instead of guessing.
Airline rules come from the airline that operates the flight, which can differ from the one you booked with.
Being allowed on board does not mean the item is allowed into your destination. Customs rules are not covered.

Airlines with their own alcoholic beverage rules

Airline pages for alcoholic beverage show only the airlines whose own rules differ from the TSA and FAA rules.

Official sources

This page lists rules as the official sources state them, for travel departing the United States. It is not a decision about your item: security officers and your airline make the final call, and rules can change after the review dates shown. Destination customs and quarantine rules are not checked. See the terms and disclaimer.