High and dry with airline booze rules

Passengers must stick to strict regulations on what alcohol they can bring on board, and how to behave, as CHARLOTTE OWEN explains

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Spirits in the sky

Holidays are often a great chance to bring home some unusual drinks and duty-free bargains. But airline regulation surrounding what you are allowed to bring on board can be a major source cause of confusion and could end in more headaches.

Travellers flying with popular British airlines including TUI, Jet2, British Airways, EasyJet and Ryanair should check the specific rules set by each company before heading off on their flight to avoid any problems at the gate.

Passengers are banned from consuming their own alcohol onboard a flight - including duty-free bottles - but they are allowed certain sealed bottles in their cabin or hold luggage.

The key thing to note is the Alcohol By Volume (ABV) content, with airlines having strict rules around percentages, governed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and cover carry on and checked in baggage.

The CAA states alcoholic beverages with an ABV of 24% to 70% must be in its retail packaging - and no more than five litres per person is allowed.

Alcohol containing under 24% ABV, such as wine, is not subject to any restrictions under CAA rules. But it's important to remember each country has its own laws about what you can bring in.