How to Drink for Free on a Plane

Flying has become increasingly more expensive over the decades, as airlines nickel and dime passengers for everything from checked baggage to extra leg room and in-flight meals. Surprisingly, there are still ways to drink for free during your flight and, with all of the stress that travel brings, you might just need a drink or two to get you through it all.

The website Maphappy has a complete list of airlines that serve complimentary cocktails. Unfortunately, most of them offer the perk on international flights only, but the longer the flight is, the more you might need those “perks.”

Whether you’re drinking in the airport or on the plane, always be sure to do it responsibly and know your limit. Flight attendants are not allowed to serve alcohol to anyone that appears drunk, and they can keep you off of your flight. Plus, no one on the plane wants to deal with your drunken antics anyway.

Another way to avoid paying high prices for drinks during flight is to bring your own mini bottles on the plane, and have the flight attendant mix the drink for you, as long as you conform to the current liquid restrictions, which is about 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters per bottle, and they fit in a quart-sized plastic bag. According to the FAA’s Federal Aviation Regulations, Sec. 121.575, “no person may drink any alcoholic beverage aboard an aircraft unless the certificate holder operating the aircraft has served that beverage to him.” In other words, you can’t drink it unless a flight attendant serves it to you. JetBlue offers this option, and while other airlines don’t state anything specific on the matter, it’s always best to ask first.