6 mistakes to avoid when packing alcohol in your luggage for a flight
When you bring back the best drinks from a "rich" vacation, you pack alcohol in your luggage for the flight. And this can damage your belongings. Alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content between 24 and 70 percent generally need to be transported in proper retail packaging, but there are no rules for those with less than 24 percent alcohol by volume (abv), according to the Civil Aviation Authority.
There are also no regulations on the packaging condition of liquids, so it's up to travelers to protect their bottles. Avid travelers and alcohol experts have shared the do's and don'ts of flying with your favorite drinks. This is stated in the material of cntraveller.com.
The experts shared the mistakes to avoid when packing alcohol on an airplane.
Transportation of carbonated drinks in checked baggage
You are allowed to carry carbonated drinks in checked baggage, but they can explode due to changes in cargo pressure. Although the cargo hold in most commercial aircraft is pressurized, we recommend that you check with your airline before packing. Even so, spirits always run the risk of spilling or exploding, so it's not advisable to take seltzer and champagne on a plane. If you do, pack them in separate, sealed bags and place them between clothing and objects to ensure minimal movement. You can also buy bottles at duty-free shops to get around the 100 ml limit and carry them with you in the cabin.
Sticking cellophane tape on the bottle
Despite all the preparation, there's always a small chance of spills and corks coming loose, so it's important to make sure your bottle is completely sealed. Sticking cellophane tape directly to the bottle can potentially damage it due to the sticky adhesive and its odor. Instead, use a thread-sealing tape that can stick to itself and not the bottle so you don't damage the label when you unpack. Seal cork bottles with paraffin tape to prevent any impact on the taste or flavor of your drink.
Wrapping bottles in fragile materials
You don't know how your bags will be handled in transit. To avoid damage, skip the thin cellophane film and cover your bottles with thicker materials. Specially designed wine shipping packaging as well as readily available bubble wrap, provides sound cushioning and prevents damage. Using thick socks can further secure the bottle and prevent it from shaking or breaking during the flight.
Discarding the packaging canister
Trust us: the original retail packaging is worth the space it takes up. While it may seem like the canister is taking up extra space, the metal case can serve as an extra layer of protection, especially in checked baggage. When traveling, research your destination as well as the brands of alcohol. Destinations such as California have a thriving retail business where most wineries and liquor stores offer travel packages, so you don't need to put in any extra effort. European destinations, on the other hand, are a network of small wineries and distilleries where you may not find bottles in sturdy packaging. Therefore, when visiting countries like Greece and Italy, you'll want to bring spare cases and covers.
Returning partially consumed bottles
According to the rules, travelers can carry up to 100 ml of liquid in their hand luggage. For alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content of 24 to 70 percent, up to 5 liters of alcoholic beverages are allowed in checked baggage. However, bottles of partially drunk alcohol are generally prohibited on flights. This means that none of your bottles can have even a few sips of leftover liquid. Consider pouring the drink into a smaller bottle that can be properly sealed and packed for transportation.
Opening wine immediately after the flight
While most alcohol stagnates when it is transferred from barrel to bottle, wine continues to age. It's a living alcohol that is exposed to heat, pressure, and motion during the flight. Even if you want to celebrate your arrival, it's not wise to open your wine as soon as you land. Allow the alcohol to stabilize for 48 hours after arrival, keeping it in place so that the liquid does not touch the cork.