Hi, I will be in Napa in October and flying on USAirways hopefully. I have checked boxes of wine before but was wondering with the new security if that is still possible. I was also curious if the 15 bottle shipper was within the weight limit? W wanted to check a 15 bottle shipper per person. Thanks

Checking wine is still easy, until some jerk tries to smuggle on an explosive in a wine bottle; then they'll ban wine. I believe the weight limit per package is 70 pounds. Best to call the airline.

Board_O is right...best to call the airline. There have been a lot of changes over the past few years. As far as I know all airlines still allow you to check a box of wine as luggage but most have lowered their weight limits to 50 lbs per checked piece. At 15 bottles in a shipper you're pushing the limit; especially if you check in "barbell" bottles.

Is it safe to check wine as luggage, even in a styrofoam shipper?

welcome aboard, jenman!

Checking wine is no problem, and a 15-bottle mailer ought to weigh about 45 pounds, so it shouldn't be a problem for you.

The allowed number and weight of packages will vary depending on which airline (& seating class) you're flying, so it's best to check with your airline for specifics as others have pointed out.

For example, I've checked three cases per person and carried on another 16 bottles in my rollaboard, but that's only if I'm flying First Class on Northwest -- they only allow two checked bags for coach passengers. Other airlines have similar quirks & perks, so it pays to ask.

Yes TJ it is safe to check a styrofoam shipper. The baggage gorillas aren't any tougher on the box than the UPS monkeys.

I will tell you that on American you can check two bags per person and both must be below 50 lbs each. You will be charged otherwise. Period.

Thanks Everyone, I am planning on 2 -15 bottle shippers and a 6 pack under one seat for carryon. Wasn't sure what a 15 bottle carrier weighed. Thats great at 45lbs. The airline allows 50 lbs. I brought back 6 cases once but that was before 9/11, just tipped the curbside checkin guy $20 and he checked them in but those days are gone. Thanks again

On United you are allowed two checked bags of less than 50lb each. Over 50 but less than 65 is a $25 charge per bag.
If you are a Gold Premier or 1K frequent flyer you are allowed three checked bags. I use Styrofoam shippers inside of equipment cases and have never had a problem.

15 bottles of Pahlmeyer will weigh well over 75 pounds. Seriously, depends on the winery. 12 bottles of Pahlmeyer or Darioush will be pushing it. Last time I had a case of Beaux Freres shipped to me, I had a heck of a time carrying it downstairs and out to my car.

Planning a trip to Beaux Freres and DD in the next week or two :-)

Think about sending the wine ahead FecEx or something.

But WHY would you want to bring so much coal to New Castle?

I assume that the wine is leaving Napa not coming in.

But maybe not! I left Napa with less than I came with last November! Of course the vintage (2000) and you wine swilling offliners had nothing to do with it.

Cool, thanks for the info, dudes. Now, do wineries typically have styrofoam shippers available if you're buying from them in person, or do you need to make a visit someplace locally to buy these shippers ahead of time? I plan on hauling back at least two cases on the plane and perhaps shipping more back, too, when we head out next year.

We always travel with wine in styrofoam shippers and have never had a problem. TJ, you get them from a shipping company, though the wineries may have them. I always bring them with me with wine in them, then replace what I drink with what I buy. You want me to bring you a couple at the 10/23 dinner?

Grazie, Board-o. I have a few shippers lying around, but I wasn't planning on taking them with me. Maybe I should. Unfortunately, I won't be making the East Coast VC thing, it's a no-can-do this go around.

Sorry to miss you and Mrs. TJ.

I have never bothered with the styro shippers when travelling, and have never had a bottle break in my luggage. IMO, the styro shippers are overkill, simply packing well with clothing does the trick nicely.

On my travels to London last week I was taken by surprise at British Airways when the told us that our carry-on weight was limited to 6kg person (approx. 10lbs). I had packed my bag with 7 bottles of wine, and had intended to carry it on - whoops! Forced to check it through, I hadn't packed it nearly as carefully as I would have had I known I was going to be cehcking those bottles, yet they all came though in perfect condition. This is a soft-sided bag as well.

On our recent trip to Paso, the wineries were happy to give shippers.

Eric the White,

10 pounds? Man, that sucks! Maybe it is for international flights or something. A month ago when I went to Las Vegas I put seven bottles in my wine-tote and easily carried it on.

A story about security:
When I travel by plane it is my custom to pack my wine-tote with several bottles of wine plus all my diabetic supplies including needles, syringes, and insulin (which likes to be kept cold). Of course there are a couple of ice-bricks in the bag also. Running this stuff in the bag through the security x-ray machine it would seem to me would be a guaranteed "open the bag goose". I've done this maybe two dozen times in the past two years and never, not once, have I ever been asked to show them what is in the bag.

So am I happy? Not really. If they don't care about ice-blocks, little containers of insulin (or who knows what), and a bunch of needles going on the plane... not to mention a half-dozen big bottles of some liquid...

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Eric - Please give us the low down on your British travels.