Does alcohol hit harder at altitude?

This is a very widely held urban myth. Residents of Denver, Colorado (1600m), will tell you that one drink in Denver is the same as two in Chicago (179m). However, the research is against it. Numerous studies have shown that altitude has no effect on your blood alcohol concentration (BAC).



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Make drinking water at high altitude an ongoing thing. Plan for hydration breaks throughout the day and bring a reusable water bottle or hydration bladder with you so that water is always within reach.

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Specifically, the Federal Aviation Administration rulebook states that a pilot may not use alcohol within 8 hours of a flight and cannot have a blood alcohol content above 0.04%.

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Do not drink alcohol or do heavy exercise for at least the first 48 hours after you arrive at an elevation above 8,000 feet. Traveling to elevations greater than 9,000 ft for 2 nights or more, within 30 days before your trip, can help avoid altitude illness on a longer trip at a high elevation.

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FAA regulations say a pilot cannot have a blood or breath alcohol concentration of 0.04 or more, which is half the legal limit for driving in the United States.

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Hangovers are dangerous Symptoms commonly associated with a hangover are headache, dizziness, dry mouth, stuffy nose, fatigue, upset stomach, irritability, impaired judgment, and increased sensitivity to bright light. A pilot with these symptoms would certainly not be fit to safely operate an aircraft.

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