Travel Guides International Travel Etiquette
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Camila Pérez B
Always drink responsibly
Sure, airports feel like a different dimension, but they’re still public spaces — and that means you should always act accordingly. That said, if you are planning on hitting up the bar or paying for the airport lounge, make sure you drink in moderation and remain aware of your surroundings. Never overindulge to the point of impairment. You wouldn’t want to sit next to another passenger smelling like the bottom of a wine barrel, right? So don’t be that person.
What happens if you do get a little carried away with the drinks before you board your flight? While getting a little tipsy at the airport isn’t a crime per se, this doesn’t absolve you from responsibility for your actions. On most occasions, a flight attendant will simply address you with a warning and cut you off for the remainder of the flight so you can sober up.
However, if you continue to be a nuisance to the crew and the passengers around you, you’re in for a much tougher response — including the possibility of a 20-year federal prison sentence and up to $35,000 in fines. All of which goes to say: go easy on the drinks, and the crew won’t need to treat you like a misbehaving toddler.
