We generally carry glass bottles when traveling from one place to another. Typically, these bottles become part of our checked-in luggage. So, their chance of breaking becomes high due to having lots of stuff in checked suitcases. This brings us to the question: How to pack glass bottles in luggage?
Improperly packing glass bottles results in many problems. Glass bottles can contain wine, whiskey, or any other precious liquid. No one would like to spill their beverages, right? That’s why this article will prove to be a great help. I will discuss how you can pack glass bottles in your luggage with 100% safety. So, let’s get started!
Importance of the Right Glass Packing in Luggage
Before discussing the safer way of bottle packing, let’s consider why it matters.
When traveling, we have two types of luggage. The first one is carry-on luggage, which remains with us. This luggage will be in the cabin if you’re on an airplane. On the flip side, checked-in luggage is bigger and remains in the storage compartment of the airplane.
Carry-on luggage is small and consists of those routine items you need on the plane. Therefore, glass bottles generally go into the checked-in baggage. As you keep, most items are checked-in luggage, resulting in more load. So, if you don’t pack a glass bottle, it will face pressure in the checked-in baggage.
As a result, the chances of the bottle getting broken are very high. So your liquid or beverage will contaminate other items in the suitcase (luggage). Moreover, if the beverage is precious, it will spill away, costing you money. Furthermore, the glass bottles can change into particles. So they can get injured when you open the briefcase (check-in luggage).
When you pack glass bottles, they become safer. Packing absorbs the pressure from other items, so the glass bottles don’t break. Even if they break, their liquid won’t spill and contaminate the items due to packing. Packed glass bottles in luggage give you peace of mind during travel.
How to Pack Glass Bottles Safely? Step-by-Step
Packing the glass bottle in the luggage is straightforward. However, you’ll need some additional equipment. Those include towels, bubble wrap, and ziplock bags. If you have these items, you can carry the bottle in your luggage with 100% safety. In the section below, I will explain the glass bottle packing process in easy steps:
1- Put the Glass Bottle in a Plastic Bag or Ziplock
First, you should carefully check the sealing of the glass bottle. The cap can be loose, resulting in leakage issues. Once the sealing is checked, put your glass bottle into a plastic bag. Interestingly, people don’t use plastic bags, which can be a big mistake. Imagine a worse case where your bottle gets broken. The liquid will contaminate your other items if it is not in a plastic bag. You can use a Ziplock to ensure the glass bottle remains perfectly secure.
2- Wrap in Bubble Wrap on a Bottle
Once you have put the glass bottle in plastic, proceed to the second step. In this stage, you must wrap the glass bottle with multiple layers of bubble wrap. Remember, the bubble wrap layers will cover the plastic bag where the bottle is already present.
Many don’t use plastic bags, so they wrap the bottle directly, which is wrong. Multiple layers of bubble wrap ensure the safety of the glass bottle. In case of a gentle collision of the bottle with another item, bubble wrap will absorb the impact.
3- Fold the Wrapped Bottle into Towel
As I said, bubble wrap layers protect the glass bottles. However, I also recommend folding the wrapped bottle into a towel. This ensures that your bottles get extra protection. Imagine any item placed near a bottle colliding with it. In such a case, the folded towel will first absorb the impact.
The minimal impact will go to bubble wrap. If you don’t use a towel, the entire impact will be on the bubble wrap layer. If the effect is harsh, it can damage the wrap layer and break the bottle. You should fold the bottle into a towel to cover all its parts. You can use any other cloth if you don’t have a towel.
4- Place in the Center of Luggage & Add Cushioning
One of the biggest mistakes people make is putting bottles inside suitcases. If the briefcase falls or moves, the sides are the portion that gets the impact. So, bottles present on the sides will also have an effect. Therefore, I recommend putting the bottle in the middle of the suitcase.
You should keep a dress, shoes or any other soft material in the corner of your suitcase. Moreover, there should not be any space around the bottle placed in the bag. You should put on some clothing for added cushioning. If you leave space, it will allow the bottle to move. So, movement can make it collide with other items.
5- Upright Position to Avoid Leakage Issues
Ideally, the glass bottle should be positioned upright. The advantage of an upright position is that fluid won’t put pressure on the bottle cap. In this way, the chances of leakage from the cap are reduced. However, placing the bottle upright is impossible if the suitcase is small.
In such a case, put the bottle normally, but keep the neck slightly up compared to the bottom. This way, the fluid will remain on the back side and won’t pressure the cap, saving you from accidental leakage. By following these five steps, you’ll be able to transport bottles from one location to another safely.
Is It Allowed to Pack Glass Bottles in Luggage?
The answer is YES! You can carry the glass bottle in your luggage. But, most airlines recommend checking the bottles in checked-in luggage instead of carry-on luggage. There are some restrictions for carry-on luggage. You can only carry 100 ml-sized bottles in carry-on luggage.
As you know, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) makes airline rules. Customers have to follow these rules for better safety. According to the TSA, your carry-on luggage can hold a bottle of 100 ml. If the bottle size is bigger than that, you may not be allowed to carry it. However, there is no restriction when carrying bottles in check-in luggage.
Moreover, the content present inside the bottle also matters. For example, carrying water in the bottle is perfectly fine. However, some airlines can have restricted rules for whiskey or any other alcohol-based beverage. Therefore, I recommend asking the airline authorities for permission to carry wine or such drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take glass bottles in checked luggage?
Yes, you can carry glass bottles in checked luggage. There is nothing wrong with that. However, I recommend following our guidelines when packing the bottle.
What is the best way to pack glass?
Ideally, you should pack the bottle using a plastic bag and bubble wrap. Plastic bags will protect from accidental leakage. The bubble wraps will absorb the impact if the bottle collides with other items.
Can I pack wine or alcohol bottles in my suitcase?
Yes, it is allowed to pack wine or any other alcohol-based liquid in a suitcase. However, you must declare your bottles and their liquid to airport authorities.
What happens if a glass bottle breaks in my suitcase?
This will result in fluid leakage, which will make your other items in the suitcase dirty and contaminated. Moreover, the bottle can break into pieces, which could cause injuries. Lastly, breaking a bottle can also cost money.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, airline staff generally don’t handle luggage carefully. They use conveyor belts to transport bags and throw them at their destination. As a result, the bottle inside the luggage can get damaged. If this happens, there will be only a mess inside the suitcase.
Therefore, it is essential to pack the glass bottle properly. In this article, I have discussed five easy steps for safer transportation of your bottles. We hear many complaints at airports that customers’ luggage gets mishandled. If you take the precautionary step, it will save you from an unwanted accident.
