Many passengers “have courage” before they get on the plane and want to continue to consume alcohol, without even thinking that there are airlines that can refuse boarding and completely prohibit alcoholic beverages.
Some passengers consume excessively alcohol in the plane. Photo shutterstock
Often, passengers believe that a beer or even “a strength” helps them to endure the inevitable delays, boredom and general humiliations that sometimes cause the plane trip.
However, although there is no legal limit on the amount of alcohol that passengers can consume, the state of intoxication is actually illegal – and the incidents related to alcohol are increasing, say airlines.
In March, a passenger of Wizz Air was fined 15,000 pounds after her behavior under the influence of alcohol was so disruptive that Gatwick’s flight was diverted to Athens, writes The Telegraph, specifying that in recent months there have been similar incidents to Easyjet and United Airlines. Indeed, almost one in five tourists had disturbed flights by drunk passengers, says Gocompare.
Is it illegal to be drunk on a plane?
Yes. According to the 2016 Air Navigation Order, the regulations established by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom: “A person should not enter any aircraft when he is in a state of intoxication, nor be in a state of intoxication.“So, if the second Gin Tonic” gives you head “, you actually violate the law. But what is, in fact, “drunkenness“?
“There is no legal definition”says Craig Phillips, main partner at Express applicors. “The court established that the term should be used the daily meaning of the word “drunkenness”. The “drunkenness” was described by the judge as: “affecting the body of alcohol to such an extent that the person does not have full or adequate control over his own mental faculties or his behavior.” he added. So, it all depends on your conduct, not the amount you consumed.
And the punishments are stinging. “If they are found guilty, passengers may face a fine of up to 5,000 pounds and maximum two years in prison“, Explains Phillips.”In addition, they could be prosecuted for the costs incurred by the airline if the aircraft is diverted and, possibly, with a life prohibition. ” Deviation costs “vary between 10,000 and 80,000 pounds“He said.
And can you refuse boarding if you are drunk at the airport?
Absolute. If the staff thinks you are intoxicated with alcohol, it can refuse to embark or it can kick you before taking off – and your insurer will not cover any interruption of your trip.
Following a number of incidents related to alcohol consumption on Ryanair flights, Ryanair’s executive director, Michael O’Leary, requested a limit of two drinks per passenger in August 2024. Incidents of violence during flight, O’Leary said.
What happens to drunk and disordered passengers?
Is at the discretion of the captain. The crew will stop serving alcohol and will try to “defuse” the situation, but if they are considered a danger to those on board (and for themselves), the plane can be diverted and the police can be involved.
“We have a zero tolerance approach to disturbing verbal and physical behavior ”says Valeriu Ciocan-Boicea, a senior cab attendant at Wizz Air. “Depending on the severity of the situation, the captain can decide to deviate the flight to ensure the safety of all those on board. In these cases, Wizz Air will take legal measures against the passenger, perceiving the cost of disturbance caused to the airline and its clients.” he added.
Behavior -related deviations are more common than you might think. In March 2025, an Easyjet Glasgow-Hurghada flight would have been diverted to Puglia, Italy, due to two intoxication passengers. Also that month, with Easyjet, a Manchester-Tunisia flight was diverted to Sardinia to place a turbulent man in police custody.
How many drinks can you order on a plane?
There is no official limit – as long as you can manage the effects of alcohol consumption. If the crew thinks you drank enough, it will not serve you anymore.
Can you take alcohol on the plane – and in what quantity?
Yes, but only alcoholic beverages that you bought from duty free before or during flight: you are not allowed to bring your own alcohol (for example, miniature spirits from home).
There are rumors that Egyptair, Kuwait Airways and Royal Brunei Airlines allow passengers to consume their own alcohol, but they are false. Attempting to do this is a serious offense.
How much duty free alcohol can you take on board?
Depends on the rules of destination. For example, the amount of wine allowed for EU entry is 4 liters, while the US allows 2.25 liters, and South Africa 2 liters. Some countries, such as Maldives and Qatar, forbid travelers to import alcoholic beverages.
If you travel with an internal flight to the UK, you can buy paid alcohol with customs taxes “at prices comparable to the average price on the UK main streets“, Recommends the World Duty Free. However, you will not be able to consume alcohol on board.
What is the minimum age for alcohol consumption during flights?
There is no single legal age for alcohol consumption, imposed for all flights; Airlines usually comply with the laws of the country where they are registered, for example, in the US is over 21 years. While the plane is on the ground, local rules are usually applied, so if you fly from Riyadh to Heathrow with a European airline, for example, no alcohol will be served.
Airline companies serve free alcohol?
Alcohol is offered free of charge on most long -distance flights, but some airlines do not accept alcohol consumption, regardless of flight duration – such as Royal Brunei, Saia, Air Arabia and Egyptair.
Airlines on short distances and “low cost” (such as Wizz Air, Jet2, Easyjet and Ryanair) serve alcohol on board, but it is for a fee. British Airways offers free drinks on long distance routes, but if you travel to the economic class with a Euroflyer flight, drinks are not included.
How does the cabin crew evaluate the drunken levels?
“Our cabin staff is well trained to identify passengers in a state of intoxication before boarding“Says Ciocan-Boicea.”They are attentive to ordinary signs: unclear speech and stumbling. These would be an alarm signal before or during boarding and urging the crew to check if you are able to fly. “
Does the altitude get stronger?
Several factors make the alcohol look stronger and act faster during the flight, says Dr. Enam Abood, chief doctor at the Harley Street Health Center. “Some are related to the environment in which the plane is located, such as the different air pressure and lower levels of oxygen. But Factors that have the highest impact They are related to things that we have control, such as lack of ordinary sleep, less water consumption and alcohol consumption earlier than usual, as well as the consumption of fewer foods. ”, the doctor explained.
