For air passengers who want to start the party on the way to their vacation, things can get expensive.
On most major U.S. airlines, a single alcoholic drink can easily cost around $7 to $16. Southwest currently charges $7 for beer and $9 for liquor, while Delta’s alcoholic drinks range from $9 to $12. United lists inflight alcoholic beverages from $6.99 to $15.99.
If you want to have a drink while waiting in the terminal, provided you’re not getting complimentary drinks in an airport lounge, you’re also looking at inflated airport prices. At the TWA Hotel at JFK, for example, cocktails currently cost $19 each, while a bar inside Denver International Airport currently lists its cocktails for $16 to $18.
According to TikTok creator Kim Green (@thekimgreenshow1), however, there is a better way.
In a recent video posted to her account, which got over 1.9 million views, she explains how air travelers can secure a drink much more cheaply.
“Airport Hack,” she wrote in the video’s text overlay. “You know you are allowed to bring at least four shorts in your carry-on. Get a cup of ice, juice, and your shot.”
Then she shows the hack in practice.
Green starts with a cup of ice before pouring in a 50 mL bottle of Don Julio tequila, followed by some Minute Maid orange juice. And just like that, she’s got her own Tequila Screwdriver drink without paying airport bar prices.
A 50 mL bottle of Don Julio Añejo retails in some places for around $8, meaning the drink would likely cost her less than $10 in total.
Getting the mini bottles through a U.S. airport security checkpoint is allowed, with some conditions.
TSA specifically says that mini bottles of alcohol are permitted in carry-on baggage as long as they “comfortably fit into a single quart-sized bag.” Like other carry-on liquids, each container also needs to be no larger than 3.4 ounces, or 100 mL.
There is one very important restriction, however: Travelers cannot use this hack once they’re on the plane.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations prohibit passengers from drinking alcohol aboard an aircraft unless it has been served by a flight attendant. Federal regulations similarly state that passengers may not drink any alcoholic beverage onboard unless the carrier operating the aircraft served it to them.
Whether passengers can drink alcohol they brought themselves inside the terminal can also depend on the airport and local alcohol rules. For example, the Port Authority for JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark doesn’t allow outside alcohol consumption in the terminal.
“No person shall drink, or carry an open container of, any alcoholic beverage in any public area of the Air Terminal other than an area in which alcoholic beverages are served for on-premises consumption pursuant to permission granted by the Port Authority or by a lessee or a permittee of the Port Authority,” it wrote.
The hack prompted plenty of discussion in Green’s comments, with some viewers questioning why anyone would need to bring their own alcohol to the airport.
“If you can’t survive few hours without alcohol it means you have a problem,” one commenter wrote.
Others were completely on board.
“Exactly,” a second user exclaimed. “Vacation starts soon as we get past TSA.”
Another viewer defended Green against all the criticism.
“How is she an alcoholic for wanting a drink?” they asked. “She’s not letting the bars charge her $20 for a drink.”
A fourth commenter had a better idea for everyone involved.
“Whole comment section need a shot,” they wrote.
Green did not immediately respond to a request for comment via email.
@thekimgreenshow1 Cheers! Airport Hack!? #fyp #travel #traveltiktok ♬ original sound – thekimgreenshow1
