Do you love drinking wine when you travel? Us too!
Anyone who has attempted to open a wine bottle without a corkscrew knows the frustration that comes along with it. While it would be nice if screwtops became more popular in the wine world, I think we all know that good wine often requires uncorking.
Avoid being forced to borrow or buy a corkscrew on your next trip (and prevent TSA from confiscating your own) by learning what you need to know before bringing a corkscrew on a plane.
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Which types of corkscrews can you bring on a plane?
When shopping for a travel corkscrew, the important thing to consider is whether or not it features an attached blade (for cutting through foil).
According to the TSA’s website, only corkscrews without blades are allowed on an airplane. As long as your wine key is bladeless, TSA will allow you to pack it in your pocket or carry-on bag.
If you can’t stand the thought of using a bladeless corkscrew, fret not!
Corkscrews with blades may be packed in your checked luggage per the TSA (just make sure to stow the blade so you don’t put anyone’s fingers at risk).
Keep in mind that this regulation is very country-specific. For example, I flew down to Chile with a TSA-compliant corkscrew in my bag and didn’t have any issues. When I went through airport security on the way back from Santiago (SCL), my TSA-approved corkscrew was promptly confiscated by Chilean security personnel. If you plan on bringing a corkscrew on a plane in another country, make sure to check their federal restrictions before your trip.
Our Favorite Travel Corkscrew Recommendations
Corkscrews are fairly simple tools, but there are a ton of different options currently available on the market. Once we filtered out all corkscrews with foil cutter blades, here are three of our favorite corkscrews to bring on trips.
Best Overall Travel Corkscrew: Franmara Boomerang Two-Step
Price: $10 (check price on Amazon)
The Franmara Boomerang isn’t just a good “travel corkscrew”; it is a highly-regarded wine key that also happens to be TSA-compliant.
Franmara accomplishes this by incorporating an ingenious bladeless foil cutter system. Instead of a small knife, the Boomerang uses a set of 4 rollers that clamp down on the neck of the bottle to remove foil faster than a traditional corkscrew.
This two-step corkscrew is a gamechanger. Be careful: it is hard to go back to a traditional corkscrew after using this one!
Most Pocket-friendly Corkscrew: Portable Keychain Corkscrews
Price: $12 for set of two (check price on Amazon)
Are you someone who struggles with forgetting to pack important items on your trip? If that is the case, this keychain corkscrew is for you.
This little two-piece tool clips right onto your keyring so you never leave home without it. I can’t even begin to explain how many times I wish I had this earlier in my life.
With this emergency corkscrew in your back pocket, you can be the hero of any situation!
To use this corkscrew, you have to remove both the screw & lever from your keyring. It isn’t quite as user-friendly as a traditional corkscrew, but this lightest & most compact option available.
Cheapest Travel Corkscrew: Pocket Corkscrews
Price: $4 for set of two (check price on Amazon)
If you want to keep it budget-friendly, nothing beats the simplicity of these pocket corkscrews. The plastic cap of this corkscrew can be removed & re-inserted through the top hole to create a makeshift corkscrew.
This is the corkscrew that I used to fly around with when I first started getting into wine (until SCL security ripped it from my hands, of course). Stashing a few of these in your various travel bags is a cost-effective way to ensure you will never be corkscrew-less during your travels. It doesn’t take much to break one of plastic corkscrews, so it wouldn’t hurt to stock up on a few spares just in case.
Final Thoughts
A little preparation goes a long way, so kudos to you for doing your research before your next trip. As long as you make sure you carry a bladeless corkscrew through a U.S. airport, you have nothing to worry about.
If you plan on visiting other countries with your corkscrew, recognize that getting there isn’t the problem; it’s the non-American airports that tend to be more strict about bringing these wonderful gadgets on board.
Check each respective countries’ airport regulations so you don’t end up losing your corkscrew while going through security.
Now go forth & enjoy some great wine! Tag us on Twitter or Instagram if you pick up some great wine on your next trip.
