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The first time I packed wine into my luggage to take an international flight, I too had this thought cross my mind: will wine explode on a plane?
It was a comical thought that quickly resulted in a, “but would it?” I wasn’t really sure what I needed to do to not end up with a blood-bath situation inside my suitcase, and how I could pack my bottle of wine so it would arrive safely to its destination.
Will wine explode on a plane during your flight? Nope! You can drink… I mean, breathe now. Your bottle of wine won’t explode because the cargo compartments in most commercial airlines are pressurized and climate-controlled (keep in mind: this is where animals go too!). And although the interior of the plane might experience some changes in atmospheric pressure (like the ones that make your ears pop), your bottle of wine will be perfectly safe.
There are a few other factors in play regarding the security of your packed bottle of wine and whether it’ll survive the plane ride: how you pack it, making sure it’s sealed properly, and checking for any cracks beforehand. If you follow the tips and suggestions below, you won’t have to think through any of it.
How to pack wine in checked luggage to avoid baggage accidents
Now that you know your bottles of wine won’t explode mid-flight, it’s time to plan how to pack them safely.
7 steps to packing wine in checked luggage
- Check your bottle and make sure it’s in good shape: completely closed, no cracks, and no leaking from the cork. Missing any of this could have your bottle break before you even get to the airport.
- Place your bottle in a self-sealing bag. Even though your bottle isn’t going to explode during the flight, luggage gets tossed around at the airport every day – so if the bottle isn’t well protected, you’re risking a pretty messy accident. Considering the worst-case scenario of damaging practically everything in your luggage, you’ll want to start by protecting all of your stuff from possible leaking with an enclosed, self-sealing plastic bag.
- Now’s your chance to give your bottle of wine some love and clothe it properly. This means covering it in bubble wrap, using a shirt you wouldn’t mind sacrificing, or a hefty towel. (Keep reading into the next section for more details on what to wrap the bottle with!) Also, if your wine comes with a box, you can place the wrapped bottle inside the box for even more shielding inside your luggage.
- Find a strategic position inside your luggage for the bottle. Avoid the corners, bottom, and top – all of which are likely to take the hardest hits as your luggage gets tossed around. Your best bet is to create a cushion with your clothes to give your sealed-and-wrapped bottle that last level of protection.
- Strap up the interior of your luggage. After placing everything where it belongs and building a solid fortress around your bottle of wine, make sure to immobilize the interior as much as possible by using the bag’s included straps.
- Repeat this process (steps 1–4) with as many bottles of wine as you need.
- Enjoy your wine-full worry-free flight!
Wine Gear to protect your non-exploding bottle of wine
So we’ve determined that your bottle of wine won’t explode on a plane, and how to best package it to protect its delicious contents. But what exactly can you use to package and protect it?
You can now buy gadgets specifically for keeping your wine safe during travel. In this section, I’ll cover several options you can pick up if you want to be 100% sure your bottle is secure through the length of your travels.
Inflatable Bags for Packing Wine
Inflatable bags wrap around your bottle and create an air cushion that absorbs impacts. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and one of the most popular options for wine travelers.
You just place the bottle inside, inflate through the valve, and the bag expands to fit snugly around it. The air layer does all the heavy lifting if your suitcase takes a hit. They’re also reusable, which makes them a solid long-term investment for anyone who brings wine home from trips regularly.
WineSkin to Cover Wine Bottles
WineSkin is a flexible, padded envelope built specifically for wine bottles. It’s got a waterproof exterior, so even if the bottle cracks somehow, the liquid stays contained and doesn’t ruin everything else in your suitcase.
Slide the bottle in, seal it shut, and you’re good. The padding absorbs impacts, and the waterproof layer acts as a failsafe. It’s one of the simplest options – no inflating, no fuss.
Wine Diaper to Keep Your Wine from Losing it
The Wine Diaper works differently from the options above – instead of just padding, it’s made of a soft, absorbent material that actually soaks up liquid if a leak happens. Think of it as a safety net for worst-case scenarios.
Place the bottle inside, seal it, and the padded exterior handles impact protection while the absorbent lining handles leaks. If your main concern is keeping the rest of your luggage dry even if something goes wrong, this is the option to go with.
Bubble Wrap to Keep Your Wine in One Piece
Bubble wrap is my favorite and most affordable option. You can buy it in all shapes and sizes, and it’s easy to find at dollar stores or convenience stores.
You can go with the classic rounded bubble wrap and roll it as many times as you want around your bottle so it becomes the exact shape you need.
People Clothes (or… Wine Clothes?)
Covering your bottle of wine in clothes is the DIY, at-home method that many travelers have used at least once. Unless of course you decide to go with the wine clothes in this picture, for a cuter, easier setup.
There isn’t much to this technique: roll your bottle of wine in as many layers of clothes as you can (ideally, not your favorite attire) and for extra protection, “seal it” with a large rubber band or hair tie so the clothes don’t come apart.
This is the riskier option for your clothes, but if you want to save money, it’s definitely better than nothing.
Will sparkling wine explode on a plane?
This is a specific question, but one we’ve seen and heard often: will sparkling wine explode on a plane?
No – when it comes to wine bottles breaking on a plane, there’s no difference between sparkling wine and any other kind.
As I mentioned earlier, airplane compartments are pressurized and climate-controlled so they maintain constant pressure and temperature. Your bottle of wine (sparkling or not) doesn’t need to fear spontaneously spilling its goods.
Also, don’t forget to weigh your bag! Adding liquids to your luggage might increase the weight considerably, so make sure you don’t exceed the limits. Here are a few options for weighing your luggage.
Wine and Planes: Related Questions
Can you take alcohol on a plane in hand luggage?
Although this might be a bit obvious for frequent travelers, there are limitations to the liquids you can take on a plane in hand luggage.
Travelers are limited to 3.4-ounce bottles, and only the amount that fits in a quart-sized, clear zip-top bag. So the only way to take wine with you onboard is to buy mini-size bottles of wine (1.7 ounces).
How many bottles of alcohol can you bring in checked luggage?
Good news! In the US, according to the TSA, alcoholic beverages with alcohol levels under 24% aren’t subject to quantity limitations when in checked luggage. For reference, wine typically falls between 9% and 16%.
Alcoholic beverages between 24% and 70% are a different story. Per the TSA:
“Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol are limited in checked bags to 5 liters (1.3 gallons) per passenger and must be in unopened retail packaging. Alcoholic beverages with 24% alcohol or less are not subject to limitations in checked bags.”
Different countries have different rules about how much alcohol you can carry in checked luggage, so keep that in mind when you travel internationally.
Can I buy alcohol in duty-free stores and take it on the plane? (+ connecting flight warnings)
Of course! You can buy your bottles of wine or alcohol in duty-free shops while you’re waiting for your plane and bring them with you onboard.
Here’s the catch though: if you have a connecting flight and need to pass through a TSA security checkpoint again, your bag will be subject to the normal carry-on restrictions and you won’t be able to access your checked luggage to pack it.
If you’ve got any kind of connecting flights, buy the alcohol at the last duty-free stop before arriving at your final destination.
Will Prosecco Explode on a Plane?
It’s highly unlikely. While changes in air pressure can affect the pressure inside a sealed bottle, they won’t cause it to explode. The bigger risk is the bottle breaking or leaking from rough handling during travel, so pack it carefully using one of the methods above.
Will Alcohol Explode on a Plane?
It’s safe to travel with alcohol on a plane. A sealed bottle could potentially break or leak from rough handling, but it won’t explode from cabin pressure changes. Pack it carefully and you’ll be fine.
Can I Take an Unopened Bottle of Wine Through Airport Security?
Yes, but only in checked luggage. The TSA allows up to 5 liters of alcohol per passenger in checked bags (for bottles with no more than 24% alcohol content, like wine). Higher-alcohol bottles may be allowed but they’ll go through additional screening. You can’t bring a full-size bottle through the carry-on security checkpoint.
Wine in Checked Baggage on an International Flight
You’re usually fine to pack wine in checked luggage on an international flight. Check the rules of your specific airline and the laws at your destination – some countries restrict how much alcohol you can bring in. And pack it carefully to avoid breakage or leaks.
Can You Bring a Wine Glass On a Plane?
No matter how much you love your favorite wine glass at home, it’s not recommended to bring it on a plane. Airlines don’t allow glass items including wine glasses due to safety concerns. Even if the glass is packed with enough cushion to prevent breakage, airport security checkpoints don’t accept glass for travel and will have it removed.
Will a Champagne Bottle Explode on a Plane?
It’s highly unlikely for a champagne bottle to explode on a plane from pressure changes. The real risk is the same as with any glass bottle – rough handling during travel can cause it to break or leak. Pack it using one of the protection methods above (inflatable bags, WineSkin, Wine Diaper, or bubble wrap) and it should arrive intact.