Is being drunk on a plane different?

The science behind high altitude drinking is clear: You won't get more drunk unless you're very, very high up. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), did a study in the 1970s that measured the cognitive ability of people at 12,500 feet—more than 30 percent higher than the effective air pressure in a plane cabin.



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Again, you won't get drunk more quickly on a plane. But lack of food and the aforementioned dehydration can make the effects of altitude stronger, thus making a single in-flight drink feel a lot boozier.

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While that may seem like an easy option drinking on a plane has many negative side effects. And drinking on a plane not only affects you during the flight but possibly for days after as well. The next time you have to fly, avoid the booze. You will be more alert and readier to take care of business when you get there.

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While at the airport, 6.3 % of those surveyed said they had consumed edibles and 2.6% had smoked pot, compared to 88% who said they had at least one drink before boarding a plane. The most common reason given was to relax (71%), to sleep (46%), to ease anxiety (40%) and “just for fun” (25%).

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If you find yourself beside a drunk person who is being disruptive, start with a polite request to stop the offending behavior, he said. Most people respond positively to a kind request. And what if that doesn't work? Try finding a flight attendant out of earshot of the passenger and explain the situation.

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If you're an infrequent traveler, be very conservative about how much alcohol you're drinking, Nelson urged. And every time you have a drink, have at least as much water. Jay Robert (also known as A Fly Guy) told TPG that travelers should remember that one in the air is two on the ground when drinking.

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“It can be helpful in relaxing you or easing anxiety in the beginning, and since many people are anxious flyers, this can help,” Shapiro said, while also pointing out that drinking too much can lead to increased anxiety and have a boomerang effect, so it is important to know your limit.

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Since the TSA does not conduct alcohol testing, you may get past the TSA, even if you are drunk. However, if you are visibly inebriated, the airport police could arrest or cite you for public intoxication.

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The FAA says a pilot will be removed from a plane if their breath alcohol concentration level is 0.04 or greater. Pilots also must not drink within 8 hours before flying, the so-called “bottle to throttle” time period.

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To be safe, wait 48 hours after you ascend to a higher elevation to drink, and avoid opioids (OxyContin, Vicodin) and benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin) as these can cause respiratory depression. Two days is normally enough time for your body to acclimate to the altitude.

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