Most airlines serve an assortment of alcoholic drinks on their aircraft in addition to their normal selection of beverages and soft drinks. For many frequent flyers, a pre-departure drink has become part of their traveling routine. I still remember how pampered I felt the first time I was served a cocktail on an aircraft, and there is just something special about imbibing while hurtling through the air at 500+ mph. Many airlines also serve complimentary drinks on international flights. In fact, my very first legal drink was onboard a Virgin Atlantic 747-400 en route to collecting my first passport stamp ever:
After tweeting about this story earlier this summer, I got some questions about how alcoholic beverages are served across the industry. I decided to dig a bit further into the published airline policies and share what I found with you all. Keep in mind that I wrote this from a U.S.-centric perspective, but the general principle can be applied broadly.
What is the drinking age on board my domestic U.S. flight?
When flying within a country’s border, the drinking age onboard an aircraft is no different than the drinking age on the ground. For the sake of simplicity (and to minimize liability) airlines generally default to their country’s laws.
That means the U.S.-based carriers will not serve alcohol to anyone under 21 years old. Sorry, young ones. It’s simply just the rule of the land (and of the sky).
Easy enough, right?
What is the legal drinking age on international flights?
This question requires a much more nuanced answer. In my experience, most airlines will serve alcohol based on their home country’s drinking laws (regardless of which country’s airspace you are currently in). Let’s dive into a couple examples to illustrate how these drinking policies are applied on international flights.
Alcohol served on international flights operated by U.S.-based airlines
International flights flown by U.S.-based airlines abide by American drinking laws. This means that you must be 21 years old to be served any alcoholic beverage, even if you are flying to or from a country with a lower drinking age. Keep in mind that this applies to all passengers, regardless of your nationality; don’t expect special treatment because you are allowed to drink in your home country!
Alcohol served on international airlines traveling to/from the U.S.
Young Americans, rejoice. While you may not be able to drink at home if you are under 21, many international airlines will serve you alcohol on board their aircraft if you meet their home country’s drinking age requirements.
For example, a 20 year old passenger on JAL’s LAX-HND flight would be able to enjoy beer or sake with her meal. If they were flying LAX-HND on an American or United plane instead, that same passenger would not be able to order an alcoholic drink even though the route is exactly the same.
Some countries allow for even younger passengers to order alcohol. Given the choice of carriers between the US and many international destinations, I wouldn’t be surprised if college students studying abroad in Europe opt to book with British Airways or Iberia; both of these airlines are headquartered in countries that allow 18 year olds to be legally served alcohol.
What is the legal drinking age on international fifth freedom flights?
Fifth freedom flights, or flights operated by an airline between two foreign countries, are treated the same by cabin crew.
For example, Air Canada operates a YYZ-SCL-EZE flight that evokes the fifth freedom rule. Passengers who booked from Toronto to Buenos Aires will have to deal with a stopover in the Chilean capital of Santiago. Some passengers will disembark in SCL, and a small number of new passengers will board the aircraft for the 2nd leg of the flight to Argentina.
Both legs are operated by Air Canada crew onboard Air Canada aircraft, so the Canadian drinking age applies to passengers on all flights.
