
02/05/2025
I also learned this one the hard way! When I went to South Korea, I was overly enthusiastic about all the free plum wine served on board, and may or may not have started collecting some unopened bottles. Well, I didn't anticipate having to go through security again when I landed in Japan. The sad moment when I had to toss them 😩
I have seen this happen to others quite a bit since. People having to toss expensive olive oils, limoncello, and other airport purchases. I wouldn't recommend purchasing liquids unless you have a direct flight or are flying domestically, and never from the Middle East to the US.
This is because you're having to go through security again to meet the measures of the country you're in/flying to. Another example: I was flying direct Istanbul to Atlanta, but since flights originating from the Middle East to the US have more stringent security, I had to go through another screen at my gate (wasn't the case for my flight to Cairo). I had just bought a tea at the airport and was told I couldn't bring it in the boarding are. They also checked my passport and boarding pass as well as did the metal detector wand and searched my bag. The same happened when leaving Dubai.
Other examples: Flying Spain to Greece via Italy is like flying domestically since they're all part of the Schengen area agreement. But, if you're flying Spain to Atlanta to Nashville, you're gonna have to toss your liquids in Atlanta.