When you finally get seated on your plane after days of packing and running around gathering last-minute holiday items, there’s no feeling like it.

You can finally switch off and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, perhaps opting for a meal or favourite alcoholic beverage whilst in the clouds.

With the summer holidays well underway now and with one-third of Brits looking forward to a trip abroad this year, it’s important that people know the limits around driving after drinking on a plane.

News Shopper: The Uswitch Temporary Car Insurance survey revealed that only one in five (20.40%) people are aware of the time it takes for alcohol to leave their system The Uswitch Temporary Car Insurance survey revealed that only one in five (20.40%) people are aware of the time it takes for alcohol to leave their system (Image: Getty)

According to Uswitch Temporary Car Insurance’s recent survey, a “worrying” 63% of respondents admitted they wouldn’t wait until they felt sober enough to drive home and over half (58.31%) of participants felt uncomfortable in someone else’s car due to their alcohol consumption.

The survey also revealed that only one in five (20.40%) people are aware of the time it takes for alcohol to leave their system and 18% (18.49%) of those surveyed don’t consider their alcohol consumption when deciding whether or not to drive home.

What are the dangers of driving after drinking on a plane?

Experts at Uswitch Temporary Car Insurance have issued a warning to travellers about the risks associated with driving after consuming alcohol on a plane.

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While studies suggest that drinking alcohol at altitude does not affect the concentration of alcohol in your blood any more than it does at sea-level, Dr Clare Morrison, from online doctor MedExpress, explained that we sometimes feel more drunk on a plane than on land, despite consuming the same volume of alcohol – and it’s all to do with air pressure.

“When on a plane, the barometric pressure in the cabin of a plane is lower than it normally is, lowering the amount of oxygen you absorb into your blood.

“The lower level of oxygen in your blood means that you may seem more drunk in the air than you would on the ground after consuming the same amount of alcohol.”

The study also found 60% of adult Brits who have travelled by air have encountered drunk passengers and the majority (51%7) believe there is a serious problem with excessive alcohol consumption during air travel.

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Top 10 UK holiday destinations for 2023 and corresponding Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limits

  • Benidorm, Spain: BAC 0.05%
  • Antalya, Turkey: BAC 0.05%
  • Paris, France: BAC 0.05%
  • Barcelona, Spain: BAC 0.05%
  • Costa Adeje, Spain: BAC 0.05%
  • Amsterdam, Netherlands: BAC 0.05%
  • Dubai, UAE: BAC 0.00%
  • Rome, Italy: BAC 0.05%
  • New York, USA: BAC 0.08%
  • Albufeira, Portugal: BAC 0.05%

Uswitch Temporary Car Insurance expert Leoni Moninska commented: "The summer holidays are a time for relaxation and fun, but it's important to remember that drinking and driving is not just a dangerous idea, it’s also illegal and could lead you to losing your licence.

“We urge all travellers to prioritise their safety and the well-being of others by making responsible decisions when travelling on a plane.

"If you do drink, consider asking a sober friend or travelling companion to drive you from the airport using Temporary Car Insurance, which is a quick and easy solution to ensuring a successful end to your holiday with you and your car getting home safely.”