What is the best way to transport loose bottles on a flight? Best just to take it as carry-on luggage? It would be about 4 bottles pp. Has anyone done this? Thanks!

We have brought a case of wine to Hawaii on the airplane and we packed it well and checked it. If you don't have a sturdy box designed for packing wine, stop into a mailboxes, etc. store and have them pack it well for you.

Traveller, I have lots of boxes (cases) that the wine came in, that I can pack it in, but is that enough? Did you put tissue paper or other stuffing around all the bottles? Mark it fragile? The way I see those guys just through the luggage around, it doesn't seem possible that you could check it!

Meant throw the luggage around, not through.

Nina, wrap it in bubble wrap, pack it tightly in a rolling hard sided cooler, and check it as luggage. Make sure there is no space for it to move around inside the cooler. Wrap duct tape around the cooler to keep it tightly shut. Did this for a trip to the Abacos.

Nina,

I do this quite frequently when I visit my parents on the North Fork of LI (lots of wineries). I pack all of the loose bottles in my suitcases. I put the bottles first in their own individual plastic bag (in case one breaks) and then wrap them in clothes and check the suitcase. I have never had a bottle break. I brought back 14 bottles last Christmas this way and 9 in July. I have also taken one of those wine carrying boxes on the plane both from NY and from CA. Keep in mind that when you carry bottles on the plane (rather than checking them), you may be asked to open the container and show security that the bottle is not open.

Thanks Beary! My girlfriend and I are taking our wine snob husbands for some R and R on a long weekend to the Rockhouse in Jamaica for Christmas, so I think if they want some good wines, we'll have to bring them with us.

Thanks to you too Alex. I thought of that method, but what if a red broke? That would make quite the stain!

Nina, the rolling cooler doesn't have to be carried (heavy), you can pack a lot, and you have a cooler while you are there! Done this about 5 times for my wine snob. You are welcome.

I bring back wine from Napa in 6 bottle carry cartons (all the wineries and wine stores have them)

To keep the wine from being bounced around...I wrap each bottle in several sheets of newspapers before placing in in the carton.

In warm weather thsi also helps to maintain the bottle temperature.

On a similar note, I am going to NY next week, and wanted to bring a 1989 bottle of champagne to open there (one hour flight) . I was told that it may explode under the pressure on the airplane. Does anyone have any advice or knowledge? Thank you

Take it as a carry on. The cabin is pressurized.

Shouldn't be a problem...after all...many planes stock champagne on board.

Dick, yes, of course. Losing too many brain cells..... maybe should stop drinking! Thanks

I usually buy about 4 bottles from local wineries when I travel, and carry them on (loading them in the overhead). I guess it depends on how strong you are and if you trust the airlines not to throw your stuff around too much.

Lisa, the champagne should not explode in flight, but do be careful when you actually reach your party destination. The bottle needs to settle after being in transit (even in a car from the store to home!). If it does not settle, the cork will pop almost as soon as you take off the wiring!