A mother-of-two found herself in hot water after guzzling duty-free alcohol before her flight – only to be stopped by airport security in a humiliating ordeal.
The woman, who had purchased two bottles of spirits from the duty-free shop at Manchester Airport, decided to drink them in the departure lounge to avoid wasting them. However, her plan backfired when security staff spotted her suspicious behaviour.
"I panicked because I didn’t want to throw them away," she later admitted. "I thought drinking them quickly was the best option."
Airport officials swiftly intervened, confiscating the remaining alcohol and issuing a stern warning. The incident delayed her flight as she was questioned about her actions.
Why You Should Never Drink Duty-Free Booze Before Flying
Consuming alcohol purchased in duty-free before boarding is strictly prohibited. Airlines and airport security enforce this rule to prevent disruptive behaviour mid-flight.
- Airport security can confiscate alcohol if they suspect passengers will consume it before boarding.
- Excessive drinking before a flight can lead to being denied boarding.
- Passengers risk fines or bans for violating airport regulations.
The embarrassed mum later admitted she hadn’t realised the severity of her actions. "I just didn’t think it through," she said.
Experts advise travellers to either pack duty-free alcohol in checked luggage or wait until reaching their destination to avoid similar mishaps.
