September 2025, London – Have you wondered what the legal drinking age is at 30,000 feet in the air? Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com), the UK's leading independent airport parking provider, has released a new comprehensive guide revealing the regulations and best practices for flying with and consuming alcohol onboard a flight.

The new guide, available at www.aph.com/alcoholrules, aims to help holidaymakers and business travellers understand the different airline rules, from the legal drinking age to duty-free policies.

The guide reveals that while cabin crew always have the final say on how much a passenger can drink, travellers should check ahead when it comes to the age restrictions for drinking alcohol during a flight as it varies. For example, passengers must be 18 and over to order an alcoholic drink on airlines such as easyJet, British Airways and Vueling. However, if flying with US carriers such as American Airlines or Dubai-based Emirates, the legal age is 21. If flying with Lufthansa, 16-year old passengers can enjoy a beer or wine but must wait to be 18 or over if choosing a spirit from the on-board menu.

For flyers looking to enjoy a tipple during the flight, most short-haul airlines allow passengers to purchase an alcoholic drink from the on-board menu. However, KLM, Lufthansa and Swiss were found to go that little bit extra and offer a complimentary alcoholic drink to customers on select flights.  

Travellers looking to buy a pre-holiday bottle (or two) in duty-free before boarding should be aware all airlines stricly ban personal consumption of alcohol in the cabin. It must also be unopened for the duration of the flight and packaged in a clear, sealed security bag with the receipt visible, and have an ABV of no more than 70%.

The guide also revealed that while most airlines allow passengers to purchase duty-free alcohol from the in-flight menu, some do not. American Airlines, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, for example, do not offer on-board duty-free purchases on long-haul flights. Travellers should also check the rules for their holiday destination, as each has it's own laws on what can be brought into the country.  

Nick Caunter, Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) said, “The rules for alcohol on a flight can be a bit confusing and our APH guide aims to make it easier to understand. By following these guidelines, we hope travellers can enjoy a hassle-free experience whether they're planning to bring some duty-free with them or just enjoy a glass on board."

For further information on Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) visit www.aph.com

or call 01342 859515.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Images

• Image Captions: Airport Parking and Hotels (APH.com) has released a new guide revealing the regulations and best practices for flying with and consuming alcohol onboard a flight. Image Credit – Adobe Stock.
• High-res images can be downloaded from https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/sbkxed5c60r8zc3z1j7am/AGs5h5SXo7skU2pJjZ1qkGU?rlkey=aswvihj14198i67sbxucn9lhh&st=o6xhl6p8&dl=0

About Airport Parking and Hotels (APH)

Established in 1980, Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) is an award-winning airport parking operator and retailer, winning the 'Best Airport Parking Company' award at the British Travel Awards 2024 for the fourteenth year running. APH also carries Which? Recommended Provider status having been voted as one of the best services available in the airport parking industry in September 2024. In addition to APH's own car parks serving Gatwick, Manchester and Cardiff Airports, APH also offers parking at all major UK airports as well as airport hotels, airport lounges and via trusted partners other extras such as car hire and travel insurance.

Media Enquiries

GEC PR

Sarah Salord, Company Director

aph@gecpr.co.uk

020 3907 6824