Can You Carry Alcohol in Domestic Flight | DGCA Rules For Travelers

Rules For Carrying Alcohol On Flights

Knowing these rules is mandatory for all to avoid any last-minute disturbances and hassle. Let’s have a look at all the rules and regulations appointed by DGCA for carrying alcohol in flights.

Carry-On Luggage

DGCA clearly instructs that passengers should not carry alcohol inside their cabin baggage on domestic flights. This is because consuming alcohol on board is strictly prohibited.

However, each airline has its own internal policies regarding carrying alcohol, which often confuses travellers.

Here’s what major airlines follow:

• IndiGo Airlines – IndiGo allows passengers to carry up to one litre of alcohol in carry-on bags if it is purchased from an airport shop. This is important for passengers who think of carrying alcohol on flights Indigo, and whether Liquor is allowed in domestic flights IndiGo, because IndiGo’s policy is more flexible compared to others.

• Air India – Air India does not allow passengers to carry alcohol inside cabin bags. Many passengers question, Can we carry alcohol in a domestic flight Air India, and the answer is no, it must only be in checked baggage.

• SpiceJet – SpiceJet permits alcohol purchased from duty-free shops to be carried onboard in cabin luggage, but it must remain unopened.

Since every airline has slightly different rules, passengers must always confirm policies before packing.

Some travellers also wonder How much liquor can I carry in a domestic flight in hand luggage? The answer is, for domestic flights, alcohol is generally not allowed in hand luggage except for duty-free purchases on certain airlines like IndiGo or SpiceJet, and even those must follow DGCA quantity limits.

Duty-Free Purchases

Alcohol purchased from duty-free shops inside the airport is permitted on board if:

• The bottle remains unopened

• It is packed in Tamper-Evident Security Bags (STEB)

• The purchase receipt is clearly visible inside the bag

These bottles must be kept in cabin luggage, but passengers are not allowed to open or consume them on board. The airline is responsible for strict enforcement of this rule.

For international travellers, carrying alcohol on flights, international duty-free rules are extremely relevant because these limits differ from domestic flights.

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Domestic Flights

When it comes to domestic travel within India, passengers cannot keep alcohol in carry-on bags. It must always be packed inside checked luggage.

As a frequent traveller, if you also have a question, How much liquor can I carry in a domestic flight in India? Then the answer is that under DGCA guidelines, the limit is:

• Up to 5 litres of alcohol per passenger

• Alcohol must be between 24% and 70% alcohol content

• Bottles must be sealed and properly packed

This same rule answers another frequent query: Is liquor allowed in domestic flights in India? Yes, alcohol is allowed, but only in checked baggage and within DGCA limits.

Quantity

Passengers can carry up to five litres of alcoholic beverages for domestic flights. This varies from airline to airline, but it is mostly up to five litres per person and is subject to certain conditions. These conditions depend on the alcohol content percentage the beverages contain.

Alcohol Content Percentage

DGCA has set rules based on alcohol strength:

• Alcohol content under 24%: No upper limit, but overall baggage weight rules apply.

• Alcohol content between 24% – 70%: Maximum 5 litres allowed per passenger.

• More than 70% alcohol: Strictly prohibited on all flights (domestic or international).

Passengers should always check bottle percentages before packing.

Packaging

Improper packing is one of the biggest reasons for alcohol being rejected at check-in counters.

Here are the DGCA-approved packaging rules:

• Alcohol bottles must be placed in leak-proof plastic bags with a 1-litre capacity.

• Bag dimensions should be 20.5 cm × 20.5 cm or 25 cm × 15 cm.

• Airlines that permit alcohol in cabin baggage (like IndiGo for duty-free) require it to be sealed in STEB bags.

• Bottles should be cushioned inside check-in bags to avoid breakage.

Following these rules prevents damage, spills, and penalties.

International Flight Rules

International rules differ slightly because foreign airports also apply their own guidelines.

Travellers often search, How much liquor can I carry in international flight?

Here is the rule followed by most countries:

• Up to 2 litres of duty-free alcohol can be carried on international flights.

• The bottle must be purchased after security check.

• It must remain sealed in an official STEB bag.

However, some countries have stricter rules — for example, the USA and Australia allow only 1 litre. Therefore, always check the destination country’s limit before travelling.

This also answers passenger concerns under the Carrying alcohol on flights international, because DGCA rules alone do not apply when travelling abroad, immigration policies of both countries must be followed.

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