Can you bring a bottle of wine on a plane?

20 of May, 2026

Can you bring a bottle of wine on a plane?

15 Bodegas Editorial Team

As a wine lover, one of the best memories you can take away from the places you visit is a bottle of your new favorite beverage. Whether for yourself or as a gift, it is a detail that completely reflects the essence and tradition of the place you have been. This practice becomes more necessary when you participate in Wine tourism or vacation with a Wine-related plan.

One of the most frequent doubts is whether Wine can be brought on the plane. We are aware that the Regulations on the transport of liquids and alcohol in this environment can be somewhat confusing. That is why, from 15 Bodegas, we want to shed a little light on this issue.

Can you bring wine on a plane?

We have good news for you. If you are wondering if you can transport bottles of wine on the plane, the answer is yes. According to AENA (Spanish Airports and Air Navigation), the maximum amount allowed on commercial aircraft is 90 liters, 60 liters for sparkling wines such as the Anna de Codorníu cavas. Please note that this regulation applies only to travel within the European Union. For journeys from outside the EU and the Canary Islands, the maximum is 2 liters for both normal and sparkling wine.

Despite all of the above, you should know that the amounts indicated by AENA are merely indicative. The regulations of each country, whether inside or outside the European Union, may vary the amount of alcohol allowed. We recommend that, before you travel, you thoroughly investigate the Customs authorities requirements of the destination in question.

In some circumstances, alcohol transported by plane must have been purchased in the Duty-Free shops at the airports, which are located after security. If not, you must follow what the general regulations on liquids for hand luggage dictate.

Among the liquids that are allowed to be carried in hand luggage are drinks. However, you should keep in mind that in order to take them with you, they must be contained in individual containers that do not exceed 100 ml. These liquids must be stored in a transparent plastic bag with a closure system. The total volume of all liquids cannot exceed one liter, and only one bag can be carried per person.

Of course, wine can also be carried in checked baggage. In this case, to do so, you will need to comply with some guidelines:

- As with all alcoholic beverages, it is essential to be of legal age to bring wine on the plane.

- The wine must be sealed in the bottle with the original packaging for sale.

- There is no limit to transporting wine if you have less than 24% alcohol, up to five liters per person.

- The weight of the bag must comply with the restrictions and regulations established by each specific airline. Normally, the limit is 23 kilos.

The bad thing about carrying wine in checked baggage is that there is a risk that bottles may break due to baggage handling. Despite the care and attention of the airport workers, there are times when suitcases are bumped or dropped during transfer, which could cause the bottles to be damaged and ruin not only the wine, but also the rest of the contents of your luggage. That's why you must protect them properly.

How does air travel affect wine?

As you may know, wine is a drink that's alive. Therefore, it is understandable to have certain fears or concerns that the experience of the aircraft may affect its characteristics.

In this regard, you should bear in mind that air transport is accompanied by changes in temperature, pressure, motion, and vibration that can have an impact on this type of drink. However, it is nothing alarming. Normally, most wines preserve their properties quite well, and they are not severely affected by the conditions of the aircraft.

However, you should be careful if you are facing old, high-quality, or particularly delicate wines (like Reserve Wine). In these cases, alterations such as these below can occur:

- Sediment dissipation. The vibrations of air travel can alter the sediments of aged wines or wines that have not been properly filtered. These impurities usually settle at the bottom of the bottle, but with movement, they will expand throughout the liquid. Fortunately, it is a small inconvenience with an easy solution: leave the bottles upright for a few days so that the sediments return to their natural position.

- Heat stroke. Yes, not only people suffer from heat stroke; it is also something that wines can experience. High temperatures contribute to accelerated oxidation. While aircraft holds provide stable conditions, journeys to the airport can be too hot for wine.

- Oxygenation. In theory, pressure changes should not affect bottles that are properly sealed. However, to avoid possible problems, it is best not to open them until a reasonable amount of time has passed.

How to transport bottles of wine on the plane

Now that you know you can travel with your favorite drink on board, we want to share some tips on how to pack a bottle of wine in your luggage. The way you protect it will largely depend on the size of the bottle, as carrying a small Benjamin wines is very different from transporting a large Magnum wine bottle. By following these tips, you can minimize the risk of your wine being damaged while handled by staff or during the flight in the aircraft hold.

Home Packing

Most of the time, buying wine during the holidays is a spontaneous action, which can be a problem for properly protecting the bottle inside the suitcase. There are some tricks and options that will help you get around this inconvenience.

A good idea is to create a first layer of protection by wearing socks. Then, you can place the bottle inside various plastic bags so that, in the event of an accident, the liquid does not splash all over your suitcase. The next step will be to use the bulkiest and fluffiest garments you have (coats, towels, scarves, sweatshirts, etc.) to wrap the container thoroughly. Finally, ensure that the bottle does not come into contact with the edges of the suitcase.

Packaging material

If you already have the idea of buying wine on your trip, make sure you have the proper packaging material. The best thing in this case is Bubble Wrap, which will be your best ally to ensure that your favorite drink arrives intact at its destination.

We recommend coating the entire bottle with bubble wrap. Don't be afraid to wrap several layers, and remember to emphasize the neck and base, which are the most fragile parts. Of course, don't forget to put the bottle in plastic bags as before. For added security, you can place the bottle in a cardboard box, which, together with the bubble wrap, will cushion any blow it may suffer.

Wine cases

To feel like a true professional, there is nothing like cases specially designed to transport wine. They are high resistant suitcases with holes to insert the bottles so that they are safe and protected. The only negative is the high price. However, it can be an excellent alternative for you if you are used to traveling with wine regularly.

Bumpers or inflatable bags

Transporting wine on a plane is a necessity for many. Hence, solutions have emerged in this regard. You already know that the wine sector is constantly advancing and innovating. Proof of this is the proliferation of gadgets aimed at protecting wine.

You can find inflatable bags or covers with inner tubes protecting the bottle from blows and sudden movement. The best thing is that they are reusable, so you can see them as an investment. Keep in mind that these inflatable bags are also useful for protecting wine not only on the plane but also on other means of transport or even during moves.

As you've seen throughout this article, wine can be brought on the plane. Of course, for it to reach its destination safely, you must follow the rules and restrictions established by each country and airline and take the appropriate precautions. This way, your flight companion will arrive safely at your destination to be enjoyed as it deserves.