Alcohol and flying: What are the rules?

For many of us, a pre-flight pint or glass of wine is a time-honoured tradition that marks the start of our holiday. But could the ritual be in jeopardy?

A recent row over airport drinking between the bosses of Ryanair and Wetherspoons ignited a heated debate about alcohol on planes and unruly passengers.

At the heart is Ryanair's famously frank CEO Michael O'Leary, who has called for a two-drink maximum at airport bars. His rationale? A concerning spike in disruptive passenger behaviour, with violent incidents now a weekly occurrence. These aren't just rowdy tourists – we're talking about alleged assaults on cabin crew and brawls between passengers.

Meanwhile, Wetherspoons' boss Tim Martin is defending his airport pubs. With locations at major hubs like Stansted (Ryanair's main UK base), Gatwick and Heathrow, ‘Spoons is a go-to for many pre-flight drinkers. Martin counters that they've long since nixed two-for-one deals and ‘shooters’ like Jägerbombs, adding that alcohol only accounted for a third of their airport sales during peak summer travel.

So, with airlines and airport pubs at odds, what's a thirsty traveller to do? We thought it was the perfect time to cut through the turbulence and get to the bottom of drinking before and during flights.

What does the law say about drinking on flights?

In the UK, it is a criminal offence to enter an aircraft when drunk or to be drunk while on an aircraft. Penalties can be severe, including fines of up to £5,000 and two years in prison.

In cases where an intoxicated passenger's behaviour forces a flight to divert, they could potentially face a bill of up to £80,000 to cover the airline's costs.

The law also gives cabin crew significant authority. They have the right to refuse to serve alcohol to any passenger and if they believe someone is drunk, they can take measures to restrain them if necessary.

Are there limits to how much I can drink on a plane?

While there's no universal limit on the number of drinks you can have, airlines have complete discretion over alcohol service. Cabin crew are trained to monitor passengers' alcohol consumption and behaviour and they have the authority to refuse service if they believe a passenger has had enough.

Some airlines have implemented their own specific policies. For instance, Ryanair has taken the step of banning passengers from bringing duty-free alcohol on board flights to certain destinations known for party tourism, such as Ibiza.

Many incidents of disruptive behaviour occur when passengers consume their own alcohol surreptitiously. This is why airlines are particularly vigilant about passengers attempting to drink their own duty-free purchases on board.

How does alcohol affect you differently on a plane?

According to the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), alcohol can affect you differently at altitude. The low air pressure associated with flying effectively thins the blood, potentially strengthening the effects of alcohol.

While some experts debate the direct impact of altitude on alcohol metabolism, various factors associated with flying can make it seem like alcohol hits you harder.

• Hypoxia: At cruising altitude, cabins are pressurised to the equivalent of 6,000-8,000ft above sea level. This can result in less oxygen uptake in your bloodstream, potentially giving you a sensation of being more intoxicated.
• Dehydration: The air in plane cabins is very dry, which can lead to dehydration. This can exacerbate the effects of alcohol.
• Fatigue: Travel is tiring, and fatigue can amplify the effects of alcohol.
• Reduced mobility: Sitting still for long periods can slow down your metabolism, potentially prolonging the effects of alcohol.
• Empty stomach: Passengers often eat less during flights, which can intensify alcohol's effects.

Because of these factors, it's a good idea to drink more slowly and consume more water than you typically would on the ground.

What about drinking at the airport before my flight?

Airport bars and restaurants can serve alcohol at any time, unlike establishments outside of airports, which are subject to licensing hours.

However, airlines have the right to refuse boarding to passengers they believe are intoxicated. This is both for safety reasons and to prevent potential in-flight incidents. Some airlines, like Jet2 and Ryanair have called for further restrictions on the sale of alcohol at airports, including proposals to make alcohol sales illegal before 10am.

Many airports have voluntary codes of practice. These might include measures like not selling shots or doubles and training staff to recognize signs of intoxication.

Can I bring my own alcohol on the plane?

You can purchase alcohol after passing through security, but drinking it on the plane is universally prohibited by airlines. Any duty-free alcohol should remain sealed until you reach your destination.

Some airlines have taken extra steps to enforce this. Ryanair, for instance, requires any duty-free alcohol purchases to be placed in the hold for flights to certain destinations.

Are some flights completely alcohol free?

Yes, some airlines don't serve any alcohol on their flights. This is particularly common with airlines based in predominantly Muslim countries, such as Saudi Arabian Airlines, Kuwait Airways and Iran Air.

Some other airlines may have alcohol-free flights to certain destinations or during certain religious observances.

How common are ‘air rage’ incidents and what are the consequences?

While still relatively rare in the context of millions of flights each year, the number of reported ‘air rage’ incidents have increased.

In the UK, the CAA reported 1,028 cases of disruptive behaviour in 2022, a significant increase from 373 cases in 2019 before the pandemic.

Passengers who engage in disruptive or dangerous behaviour on a flight can face a range of very serious penalties, including:

• Fines: In the UK, disruptive passengers can face fines of up to £5,000.
• Prison sentences: Serious incidents can result in prison sentences of up to two years.
• Airline bans: Many airlines will ban disruptive passengers from future flights.
• Civil lawsuits: If a flight has to be diverted due to a passenger's behaviour, they could be sued by the airline to recover costs, which can run into tens of thousands of pounds.
• Travel restrictions: Some countries may deny entry to passengers with a history of disruptive behaviour on flights.

Does Ryanair serve alcohol on its flights?

Yes. Despite Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary's vocal concerns about pre-flight drinking and its impact on passenger behaviour, the carrier does serve alcohol on its flights.

Ryanair, like many airlines, maintains that serving alcohol on board allows them to monitor and control consumption more effectively than if passengers were to bring their own drinks onto the plane.

Top tips for responsible drinking while travelling

If you’d like to enjoy a drink to kick-start your holiday, consider these simple tips:

• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before and during your flight. A good rule of thumb is to have at least one glass of water for every alcoholic drink.
• Eat well: Don't drink on an empty stomach. Having food in your system can help slow alcohol absorption.
• Know your limits: Remember that factors like fatigue and dehydration can amplify alcohol's effects.
• Be respectful: Keep in mind that you're in a confined space with many other people. Behaviour that might be tolerable in a pub can be disturbing on a plane.
• Follow crew instructions: Cabin crew are there for your safety. If they suggest you've had enough to drink, it's best to listen.
• Save some for later: Your destination probably has some great local drinks to try. Part of the joy of travel is experiencing new things at your destination.
• Plan ahead: If you know you'll want to sleep on a long-haul flight, consider how alcohol might affect your sleep quality.