How many drinks can I ask for on a flight?
On a recent Air India international flight from Delhi to London, I was surprised when the flight attendant politely declined my request for a third glass of wine, citing safety concerns. This experience led me to explore the rules around alcohol service on flights, especially for economy passengers, and whether premium drinks or unlimited alcohol are ever offered.
Flight Alcohol Limits: How Many Drinks Can You Have Mid-Air?
Alcohol service on flights can elevate a vacation vibe, but excessive consumption risks disruptive behavior, endangering passenger safety. While international flights often serve alcohol, domestic Indian flights, including Air India, prohibit it entirely. This guide dives into airline alcohol policies, limits for economy passengers, premium liquor options, pre-booking, and safety regulations, ensuring you know what to expect before ordering that in-flight beer.
Table of Contents
- How Many Drinks Can I Ask for on a Flight?
- How Much Alcohol Is Provided in a Flight?
- How Much Alcohol Can You Drink in a Flight?
- Alcohol on Domestic Indian Flights
- Which Airlines Serve Premium Quality Liquor for Economy Passengers?
- Pre-Booking for Alcoholic Beverages
- Does Air India Serve Unlimited Alcohol on Flights?
- How Many Beers in One Flight?
How Many Drinks Can I Ask for on a Flight?
There’s no universal limit on drinks you can request on international flights, but cabin crew have discretion to stop serving if a passenger appears inebriated, per DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). Typically, economy passengers can expect 1–3 drinks (e.g., wine, beer) during meal service on long-haul flights, depending on the airline. Over-serving risks unruly behavior, as seen in 2022 Air India incidents where drunk passengers caused disturbances. Always ask politely and respect crew decisions.
How Much Alcohol Is Provided in a Flight?
Alcohol provided varies by airline, route, and class. On international flights, economy passengers typically receive complimentary beer, wine, or spirits (30–50ml per serving) with meals. For example, Emirates offers 150ml wine pours, while Qatar Airways includes free beer and wine in economy. Business and first class get larger pours and premium options (e.g., single-malt whiskey). Domestic Indian flights, including Air India, serve no alcohol due to a 1994 DGCA directive.
How Much Alcohol Can You Drink in a Flight?
The DGCA leaves alcohol limits to airlines, with no fixed cap on international flights. Crew monitor consumption to prevent intoxication, guided by CAR clause 4.3, which allows airlines to set policies against inebriation. On a 7-hour flight, economy passengers might consume 2–4 drinks if spaced out, but crew may cut off service after 2–3 if signs of intoxication appear. Safety is paramount, as drunk passengers have caused emergency landings.
Alcohol on Domestic Indian Flights
Since 1994, all Indian airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, and Vistara, prohibit alcohol service on domestic flights, per DGCA rules. Passengers cannot consume personal alcohol onboard, and violations may lead to fines or boarding denial. This strict policy ensures safety, given India’s diverse alcohol laws across states. Travelers can carry up to 5 liters of alcohol (under 70% ABV) in checked baggage, with no limit for beers or wines (24% ABV or less).
Which Airlines Serve Premium Quality Liquor for Economy Passengers?
Few airlines offer premium liquor in economy, but some stand out:
- Emirates: Offers Johnnie Walker Black Label and Chivas Regal 12.
- Qatar Airways: Provides Grey Goose vodka and Bacardi Carta Blanca rum.
- Singapore Airlines: Includes Tanqueray gin and premium wines.
Pre-Booking for Alcoholic Beverages
Pre-booking alcohol is rare for economy passengers. Some airlines, like Air India, allow pre-booking duty-free alcohol (up to 2 liters) at Indian airports (e.g., Delhi, Mumbai) for international arrivals, but this is for personal use, not onboard consumption. Emirates and Qatar offer pre-order duty-free liquor for delivery onboard, but it’s sealed until landing. No airline allows pre-booking drinks for in-flight service in economy.
[](https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/travel-tips/trip-planning/guide-to-carrying-alcohol-on-a-plane/)Does Air India Serve Unlimited Alcohol on Flights?
Air India does not serve unlimited alcohol. On international flights, economy passengers get complimentary drinks (beer, wine, whiskey) with meals, typically 1–2 per service, with crew discretion to limit further servings. Domestic flights serve no alcohol. Air India’s policy aligns with DGCA safety guidelines, and crew are trained to prevent overconsumption, as seen in the 2024 Surat-Bangkok flight where passengers were denied third drinks.
How Many Beers in One Flight?
On international flights, economy passengers can typically have 1–3 beers (330ml cans) during a long-haul flight, depending on meal services and crew discretion. For example, a 7-hour Air India flight might offer 2 beers with meals. Shorter flights (under 3 hours) may limit to 1. Domestic Indian flights offer no beers. Overconsumption risks cut-off, as crew prioritize safety. Always confirm with the airline’s service policy.
[](https://news.onepercentclub.io/news/how-much-alcohol-can-you-drink-in-a-flight-heres-what-dgca-says/6604/)Alcohol on flights enhances enjoyment but requires responsibility. Domestic Indian flights ban alcohol service, while international flights limit drinks to prevent inebriation. Check airline policies, respect crew decisions, and enjoy your flight safely! For more insights, visit Quora discussions on in-flight drinks.
[](https://onemileatatime.com/guides/dry-airlines/) [](https://www.fjordsandbeaches.com/qatar-airways-alcohol/) [](https://www.indiatoday.in/amp/india/story/alcohol-curb-surat-gujrat-thailand-bangkok-flight-air-india-express-airline-limit-passengers-post-x-2654511-2024-12-24) [](https://news.onepercentclub.io/news/how-much-alcohol-can-you-drink-in-a-flight-heres-what-dgca-says/6604/)
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