What is the rule for alcohol in aviation?

The FAA alcohol rule states that a pilot and any crew member may not consume alcohol within 8 hours of flying and may never have a BAC exceeding . 04 percent when reporting for duty and while operating a plane.



Aviation rules for alcohol are strictly divided between passengers and crew. For crew members, the FAA (and global equivalents like DGCA) mandates a "8 hours from bottle to throttle" rule, meaning no alcohol consumption 8 hours prior to duty, and a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of less than 0.04%. Many airlines enforce even stricter rules, such as 12 or 24 hours of abstinence. For passengers, FAA regulation 14 CFR 121.575 states that you are legally forbidden from drinking your own "personal" alcohol on a flight; you may only consume alcohol served by the airline's flight attendants. This allows the crew to monitor your intake and ensure no one becomes a safety risk. Airlines also reserve the right to refuse boarding to any passenger who appears "visibly intoxicated," as a drunk passenger is considered a liability during an emergency evacuation.

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Pilots may not use alcohol “while on-duty or within 8 hours of performing flight crew member duties.” The regulations also require that crew members submit to blood alcohol tests when requested by law enforcement officials authorized to ask for those tests.

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The FAA alcohol rule states that a pilot and any crew member may not consume alcohol within 8 hours of flying and may never have a BAC exceeding . 04 percent when reporting for duty and while operating a plane. It places no limitations on alcohol consumption other than that.

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The TSA allows unopened bottles of alcohol in carry-on bags. There are no proof limits for liquor in carry-ons like there are for checked luggage. However, all liquids must follow the 3.4 oz (100 ml) rule.

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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. Some airlines have stricter requirements.

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In most large commercial airlines, pilots are allowed to have facial hair, as are the flight attendants. However, this facial hair does need to be kept tidy (neatly trimmed) or stylish (longer beard styles) and shouldn't make the aviation pilot look less professional.

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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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