Any young traveler knows that once you leave the US and head to, say, Europe, alcohol regulations can be a bit looser. In the US, drinking is prohibited for people under 21, but in most European countries, drinking is permitted, with some restrictions, from the age of 18, and in some cases even from 16.
When it comes to boarding a plane, since you’re technically flying in the air, you might be wondering what the rules are. Can Americans drink alcohol on U.S.-based airlines? What about foreign airlines? To help young travelers navigate this aspect of international and domestic travel, we asked travel experts about the rules.
Can you drink alcohol before you turn 21 on a US airline?
In short, not really.
“Generally, if you’re flying on a US-based airline (think the big three: Delta, United and American), the drinking age in the US remains 21,” says Katie Nastro, travel expert at Going.
That means that even if you’re flying and not technically on US territory, US-based airlines tend to respect their own country’s rules. So, generally speaking, if you’re underage, no mimosas. Sorry!
What about international flights? Can you drink alcohol before you turn 21 on a foreign airline?
Nastro said you might have better luck flying with a non-U.S. airline, as long as you keep a few restrictions in mind.
“Things change a bit once you’re traveling on a foreign airline and leave U.S. airspace,” Nastro explains. “Foreign airlines are more likely to adhere to their own country’s laws regarding alcohol consumption. For example, an 18-year-old can drink beer on a British Airways flight to Spain.”
But it’s important to note that the rules aren’t always that simple: As Nastro points out, some airlines don’t serve alcohol at all, so it’s best to check with the airline before you fly, and age restrictions for alcohol consumption can vary by airline.
Make sure you bring a valid form of identification with you; a passport is fine. “All airlines reserve the right to ask for ID to verify your age, regardless of their policy,” says Nastro.
