Dry Airlines and Airports: A Guide to Alcohol-Free Travel
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Edited by Adinda Irawan
Edited by TL;DR: Based on a Sept 2026 ranking, 13 airlines (Air Arabia, EgyptAir, Saudia, etc.) serve no alcohol at all; some allow BYO at crew discretion, others (Saudia, PIA) forbid it outright. Also covers countries/airports with legal alcohol bans.
Which airlines don't serve alcohol?
The travel site One Mile at a Time lists 13 dry airlines (updated September 11, 2026): Air Arabia, Biman Bangladesh, EgyptAir, Iran Air, Iraqi Airways, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Mahan Air, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), Riyadh Air, Royal Brunei Airlines, Saudia and Turkmenistan Airlines. The Saudi low-cost airlines flynas and flyadeal also serve no alcohol. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad are not dry: they serve alcohol on flights to every destination except Saudi Arabia.
We checked this table in October 2026. The column "Can you drink your own?" shows only what an airline or a traveler report says. Where we found nothing, the table says so.
| Airline | Home country | Serves alcohol? | Can you drink your own? | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Arabia | United Arab Emirates | No | No published policy found | Main hub is Sharjah, where drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal |
| Biman Bangladesh | Bangladesh | No | No published policy found | |
| EgyptAir | Egypt | No | Reported, at crew discretion | A traveler report says you could buy alcohol in Cairo duty free and drink it on board |
| Iran Air | Iran | No | No published policy found | The UK government advises against all travel to Iran |
| Iraqi Airways | Iraq | No | No published policy found | |
| Jazeera Airways | Kuwait | No | No published policy found | Importing alcohol into Kuwait is illegal |
| Kuwait Airways | Kuwait | No | Reported, at crew discretion | Importing alcohol into Kuwait is illegal |
| Mahan Air | Iran | No | No published policy found | The UK government advises against all travel to Iran |
| Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) | Pakistan | No | No | Its conditions of carriage do not allow it (The Points Guy, 2018) |
| Riyadh Air | Saudi Arabia | No | No published policy found | Public scheduled flights since June 2026 |
| Royal Brunei Airlines | Brunei | No | Reported, at crew discretion | Brunei requires you to declare alcohol on arrival |
| Saudia | Saudi Arabia | No | No | Passengers may not carry or drink their own, on any flight |
| Turkmenistan Airlines | Turkmenistan | No | No published policy found | |
| flynas | Saudi Arabia | No | No published policy found | Low-cost airline |
| flyadeal | Saudi Arabia | No | No published policy found | Low-cost airline |
| Emirates | United Arab Emirates | Yes, except on flights to and from Saudi Arabia | No published policy found | More than 20 spirits in First and Business Class |
| Qatar Airways | Qatar | Yes, except on flights to and from Saudi Arabia | No published policy found | Lounges still serve alcohol in Ramadan, but do not display it at the bar |
| Etihad Airways | United Arab Emirates | Yes, except on flights to and from Saudi Arabia | No published policy found | Lounges still serve alcohol in Ramadan, but do not display it at the bar |
| Turkish Airlines | Turkey | Yes, on international flights | No published policy found | Domestic flights are dry |
| Royal Air Maroc | Morocco | Yes | No published policy found | Serves Moroccan and French wines |
What a dry airline is, and why some airlines are dry
A dry airline serves no alcohol on board. Some dry airlines also forbid passengers from drinking their own, and some leave it to the crew. Saudia bans it outright, while crews on EgyptAir, Kuwait Airways and Royal Brunei have let passengers drink alcohol they brought.
Dry policies follow the home country's law or religious practice. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, Pakistan and Brunei ban or restrict alcohol, and the same laws apply at their airports. Knowing the rules before you fly helps you avoid surprises on board and at customs.
Dry airlines that let you drink your own
EgyptAir, Kuwait Airways and Royal Brunei Airlines serve no alcohol, but travelers report that crews have let them drink alcohol they brought. This is the crew's decision on the day, not a published airline policy, so ask before you open a bottle.
- EgyptAir: One Mile at a Time says you could buy alcohol in duty free in Cairo and drink it on board.
- Kuwait Airways: On a 2017 flight, a flight attendant told a One Mile at a Time writer "As long as you stay sober you can do that" and brought glasses for the wine he had bought in duty free. Importing alcohol into Kuwait is illegal (see the country list below).
- Royal Brunei Airlines: crews have allowed it on board, but alcohol brought into Brunei must be declared to customs on arrival (see the country list below).
Saudia is the opposite case. It "does not serve or permit passengers to carry or drink alcoholic beverages on its flights." PIA's conditions of carriage also do not allow passengers to drink their own. For Saudia and every flight to Saudi Arabia, see Saudi Arabia's alcohol rules for flights.
Is Emirates, Qatar Airways or Etihad a dry airline?
No. Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad serve alcohol on flights to every destination except Saudi Arabia. The Saudi exception applies all year, not only during Ramadan. In Ramadan, Etihad and Qatar Airways lounges still serve alcohol but do not display it at the bar.
Emirates lists more than 20 spirits in First and Business Class, "our selection of popular spirits in Economy Class", 18 cocktails and a wine list, plus non-alcoholic mocktails (Emirates drinks menu).
Two other airlines people often ask about are not dry either. Turkish Airlines serves alcohol on international flights but not on domestic flights. Royal Air Maroc serves "a refined selection of Moroccan and French wines, as well as various alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages" (Royal Air Maroc dining).
Airlines that are dry on some flights only
- Flights to and from Saudi Arabia, on any airline: airlines flying to and from Saudi Arabia cannot serve alcohol in Saudi airspace, and most ban alcohol on Saudi routes altogether. This is why Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad flights to Saudi Arabia are dry.
- Domestic flights on Air India, Oman Air, Thai Airways and Turkish Airlines: these airlines serve no alcohol on domestic flights. Their international flights are not dry.
- Malaysia Airlines: no alcohol on domestic flights since January 1, 2016. On international routes it serves alcohol only on flights of three hours or more, on request, and none on flights to Jeddah, according to Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke (October 30, 2025).
Some airlines also serve no alcohol while the plane is on the ground, whether or not they are dry.
Dry countries and airports: where you can't drink or bring alcohol
Whether you can buy or carry alcohol at an airport depends on the law of the country it is in, or in the UAE, the emirate. These are the places to know, with the rule from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO):
- Saudi Arabia: every airport is dry, including King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. Saudi law prohibits importing alcohol, and the FCDO says: "Do not bring alcohol into Saudi Arabia or arrive under the influence of alcohol." Brewing, possessing or selling it can bring severe penalties, including prison (FCDO). Details: Saudi Arabia's alcohol rules for flights.
- Kuwait: importing alcohol is illegal. Buying, selling or carrying it, and public intoxication, can lead to fines, prison and deportation (FCDO).
- Iran: it is illegal to import, sell, manufacture or drink alcohol, and that includes Tehran Imam Khomeini International Airport. The FCDO advises against all travel to Iran (FCDO).
- Sharjah, UAE: drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal in the emirate of Sharjah, 30 km north of Dubai (FCDO). Sharjah International Airport is Air Arabia's main hub.
- Maldives: bringing alcohol into the country is illegal. Alcoholic drinks are only available on resort islands, and possessing or drinking alcohol outside a resort can lead to arrest and deportation (FCDO).
- Brunei: selling alcohol is illegal. Non-Muslims aged 17 and over may bring in a limited amount, which must be declared to customs on arrival and drunk in private (FCDO).
- Pakistan: importing alcohol is illegal, and you could be detained if you try (FCDO).
Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha are not dry. Dubai and Abu Dhabi allow alcohol in licensed venues for people aged 21 and over. In Qatar, licensed hotels, restaurants and bars sell alcohol, but drinking in public is illegal.
Flying a dry airline: duty free, transit and what you'll drink instead
- Check your airline and route before you fly. If you enjoy a drink, use the table above: some airlines serve none, and flights to and from Saudi Arabia are dry on every airline.
- Do not carry duty-free alcohol into Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Maldives or Pakistan. Importing alcohol is illegal in all four, so a bottle bought on the way can get you into trouble at customs.
- On a trip through a dry country, do not pack alcohol. If your itinerary passes through one of the countries listed above, keep alcohol out of your carry-on and checked bags.
- Ask the crew before you open your own bottle. On EgyptAir, Kuwait Airways and Royal Brunei, crews have allowed it at their discretion. On Saudia and PIA, the answer is no.
- Know what is served instead. Saudia offers Arabic coffee, dates and juices. Emirates, which is not dry, also lists non-alcoholic mocktails.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Qatar Airways a dry airline?
No. Qatar Airways serves alcohol on flights to every destination except Saudi Arabia.
Is Turkish Airlines dry?
Only on domestic flights. Turkish Airlines serves alcohol on international flights.
Does Air Arabia serve alcohol?
No. Air Arabia is a dry airline. Its main hub is Sharjah, where drinking or possessing alcohol is illegal under the emirate's law.
Is Riyadh Air a dry airline?
Yes. "National airlines, including Riyadh Air and Saudia (SV), remain subject to the alcohol ban" (AviationA2Z, December 2025). Riyadh Air started public scheduled flights on June 10, 2026, from Riyadh to London Heathrow, then added Jeddah, Dubai, Cairo, Madrid (from July 17) and Manchester (from July 23). It had flown Riyadh to Heathrow on an invitation-only basis since late October 2025.
Can I bring duty-free alcohol on a dry airline?
It depends on the airline and where you land. Saudia does not let passengers carry or drink their own, and PIA does not let them drink their own. Crews on EgyptAir, Kuwait Airways and Royal Brunei have allowed it at their discretion. Never take alcohol into Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the Maldives or Pakistan, where importing it is illegal. In Brunei, non-Muslims aged 17 and over must declare it on arrival.
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