Flying with wine: methods, risks and alternatives

Introduction

Do you love traveling and wine and find yourself wondering about the best way to bring wine back home on a plane? If you’re passionate about collecting local wines from your trips but are uncertain if buying them at the duty-free shop and carrying them on board is the ideal choice, this article is just what you need.

Have you ever considered if there’s a safer and more convenient way to bring wine back home? In this article, we’ll look at different methods for transporting wine by plane and give you the information you need to choose the best option.
Besides buying from duty-free shops, we’ll also look into shipping wine directly to your home, offering a potentially safer and more convenient choice.

So, if you’re keen to discover the different options for bringing home wines from your travels, keep reading for all the information you need to understand how to transport wine by plane.

How to transport wine by plane

Let’s say you’ve decided to carry wine in your carry-on luggage. As you may know, this isn’t always possible!

It’s essential to be aware of the restrictions on carry-on luggage when it comes to transporting wine by plane. Let’s take a closer look.

Liquid restrictions on airplanes

Security regulations limit the amount of liquids you can carry in the airplane cabin.

• If you bought the wine at the airport’s duty-free shop, you can bring it on board without any issues, as it is considered a post-security purchase.
• However, if you bought the wine elsewhere or if the content exceeds 100 ml, you won’t be able to carry it in your bag or carry-on luggage. In these cases, you’ll need to pack the wine in your checked luggage, which has different requirements for liquids.

Make sure to pack the bottles carefully to protect them from bumps during transport in the cargo hold.

If you only have one carry-on bag, consider using containers with a maximum capacity of 100 ml or opting for travel-size wine bottles to make transport easier while adhering to the volume restrictions.

What bottles of wine can you bring on a plane?

When deciding how to transport wine by plane, it’s important to be aware of the specific rules and restrictions of the airport and airline you are flying with. However, in general, here are some points to consider:

• Bottles purchased at the airport duty-free shop: You can bring these on board without any issues as they are sold after security checks.
• Bottles with contents under 100 ml: You can carry wine or liquor bottles in your carry-on as long as the liquid in each bottle is under 100 ml.
• Transporting wine in checked luggage: If the bottles exceed the 100 ml limit or you prefer not to carry them in the cabin, you can place them in your checked luggage. Make sure to pack them carefully to prevent damage during transport.
• Check the airline’s restrictions: Each airline may have specific rules regarding transporting bottles on a plane. Check the airline’s policies to ensure you follow their guidelines.

Always remember to check the specific regulations of the airport and airline you are traveling with to ensure the safe transport of your wine bottles.

Packing wine for the cargo hold

If you’re planning to transport wine by plane, it’s essential to understand the importance of proper packaging. Without careful and precise packing, your wine could get damaged during the journey. Here are some basic tips for packing wine safely:

1. Use protective materials: to protect wine bottles during transport, use waterproof bags or materials specifically designed for wine transport. These materials reduce the risk of bottle breakage and minimize damage from potential leaks.
2. Choose suitcases with designated compartments: if packing wine bottles in a suitcase, look for one with compartments designed for wine transport. These compartments are usually padded and offer better resistance to bumps and vibrations.
3. Protective containers: if you regularly transport wine bottles, consider purchasing protective containers specifically designed for transport. These containers offer optimal protection and can be reused multiple times.

Remember that transporting wine bottles requires careful planning and high-quality packing materials to ensure their safety.

How many liters of wine can you bring in checked luggage?

Wondering how many liters of wine you can bring in checked luggage? There isn’t a precise number. The exact quantities can vary depending on the airline you’re flying with.

Typically, the limits for transporting liquids in checked luggage range between 2 and 5 liters, but there may be additional regulations depending on the departure and destination countries.

It’s always advisable to check the airline’s website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date information on specific restrictions regarding wine transport in checked luggage.
This way, you’ll ensure compliance with the rules and enjoy your trip.

Risks and limits of putting wine in checked luggage

If you’re reading this, you’re likely a wine enthusiast and know how delicate and sensitive wine is to shocks, temperature changes, and pressurization, all of which can irreparably compromise its quality and integrity.

Therefore, it’s crucial to take special precautions to protect the bottles during the journey (read the precautions).

So, what are the risks and limits of putting wine in checked luggage and transporting it independently? Here they are:

• Volume limitations: check the volume restrictions set by the shipping service or airline, which may limit the maximum number of bottles or total volume allowed for shipment.
• Pressurization: during transport, wine bottles can undergo pressure changes, especially if shipped by air. Ensure the bottles are well sealed and protected to prevent leaks or breakage.
• Bottle breakage: wrap each bottle individually with protective materials and secure them in the packing container to prevent movement and possible breakage during transport.
• Temperature and humidity: extreme temperature and humidity variations can affect and compromise the wine’s flavor and quality.

The solution: shipping wine

An alternative solution for understanding how to transport wine by plane in the simplest, most effective, and safest way is to use specialized shipping companies!

Choosing a company like Way To Go for international wine shipping offers numerous advantages and safety assurances. WaytoGo specializes in transporting wine bottles and is committed to providing reliable and high-quality service.

Our core value is to offer an ideal and secure solution for professionally shipping your bottles. With extensive experience in the field, WaytoGo understands the specific needs associated with shipping such a delicate and valuable product as wine.

You can rely on our safe and effective packaging. We use high-quality protective materials to wrap and protect each bottle individually, minimizing the risk of damage during transport.
This attention to detail and industry experience ensures that your bottles will arrive intact and ready to be enjoyed.

How much does it cost to ship wine?

WaytoGo already offers a cost calculator available on their website. Before placing an order, you can use this tool to get an accurate quote.

Simply enter the information about the number of bottles, their weight, and the desired destination to get a clear idea of the shipping costs. This allows you to plan ahead and make informed and thoughtful decisions.

Conclusion

If you’re planning to transport wine by plane, this article has guided you on how to do it yourself while following specific guidelines for quantity and packaging for bottles to be shipped in the cargo hold.

On the other hand, the rules can vary depending on the chosen airline, requiring significant effort on your part.

Alternatively, if you choose to ship your wine bottles, you can count on a personalized and reliable service to meet your specific needs.

Way To Go is committed to offer a tailored shipping and delivery service to ensure your bottles arrive in perfect condition. You can enjoy your passion for wine knowing that a team of professionals will do everything possible to ensure your bottles reach their final destination safe and sound.