Ever tucked an energy drink into your suitcase, picturing a mid-air soda fountain show? It’s a quirky thought: Can plane pressure turn our go-to pick-me-ups into pop-goes-the-can surprises?
Before you sideline your favorite boost for a calmer cup of tea, let’s get to the bottom of this bubbly mystery. Sit tight, dear reader, as we jet through facts and fizz, minus the jargon. Who knew science could be this… effervescent? Ready to lift the tab on the truth? 🛫🥤
Will Energy Drinks Rupture On A Plane?
As a general rule, energy drinks will not rupture on a plane. The airplane cabins are pressurized to simulate the pressure at 8000 ft. To simply put it, the conditions inside the plane are such that the energy drinks would withstand the pressure and remain unaffected in most cases.
According to the anecdotes of travelers, the consensus seems that you won’t have any problem related to the rupture of energy drinks.
You can wrap the energy drinks in individual plastic bags for additional safety. Then you can keep and pack them all in your suitcase. In almost all cases, they shouldn’t rupture, and you should be good to go.
Please note that we are not ruling out that they can’t rupture. Yes, they do! However, suitable conditions should be present that support the can to rupture.
Temperature change, pressure change, and too much turbulence (that can create the shaking effect unless the can is packed well to withstand) may lead to the can rupturing.
Usually, the climate is controlled in most modern cargos, so you shouldn’t worry much about the fluctuations. In most flights that accept pets, the climate of cargo areas is maintained similar to that of the passenger cabin.
In addition, the pressure of the plane cabin and the cargo is also the same on most flights.
So if the can is unlikely to explode in a passenger cabin, then the same should be the case with the cargo section.
Considering the turbulence factor, usually, planes are made such that they can handle some of the worst conditions. So even in the worst turbulence cases, the planes don’t move as much as you may assume.
Long story short, as per the general consensus, the chances of energy drink explosion seem to be low.
Conditions That Can Cause An Energy Drink Rupture or Explode?
Energy Drink cans usually rupture mainly in the following three conditions:
- When the inside pressure is greater.
- When you freeze it.
- When you shake it.
#1. Understanding the Energy Drink Can Rupture Due To Pressure Difference
Considering the air pressure difference, an energy drink can only rupture when the outside pressure of the can is much lower than that of the inside.
Or, to put it another way, when inside pressure is too much than its surrounding, only in such a situation can you expect it to rupture.
#2. Understanding the Energy Drink Can Rupturing Due To Freezing
Energy drinks typically have water apart from other ingredients. So when you keep an energy drink can in a freezer, the water inside it cools down and is converted to ice.
The interesting thing about water is that, unlike most other liquids, it tends to expand when it freezes.
Generally, what happens to most liquids is that they contract as they are cooled. But with water, it contracts as you would expect until 4 degrees Celsius. But after that, it starts expanding slightly until the freezing point. And when it freezes, it expands by around 9%.
So when you place the can in the freezer, the water inside it expands. The inside volume keeps on expanding, and the pressure builds up in the can. The can will reach a point where it’s unable to hold the pressure and will eventually rupture.
#3. Understanding the Energy Drink Can Rupturing Due To Shaking
Mainstream energy drinks like Red Bull and Monster are carbonated and available in cans.
In carbonated drinks, carbon dioxide is kept under pressure so that gas remains dissolved in the liquid.
Once you open the can, all the gas escapes and ultimately leaves the drink flat.
When handled gently, the dissolved gasses take longer to come out.
However, when you shake the can, the turbulence results in more bubble formation, which offers an easier way for the dissolved gasses to escape.
Shaking the bottle mixes all the bubbles causing them to be distributed throughout the drink. Hence, when you open the bottle, there’s a kind of traffic jam where all the bubbles float to the top, all at once.
Am I Allowed To Check My Baggage With Energy Drink?
You are allowed to bring all carbonated drinks in checked-in bags. Although you are also allowed to bring them in carry-on bags, each of them should be 3.4 oz and should fit properly in a quart-sized zip-top bag based on each passenger.
[Source – Tweet of TSA (Transport Security Administration)]
Popular energy drinks like Red Bull are usually available in the 8.4 oz can, whereas Monster is in the 16 oz can. So your hope of taking them in the carry-on bags is already gone. Isn’t it? (Unless you pack the drinks in small 3.4 oz containers 😛 )
If you were traveling by plane, you would most likely have to carry it in checked-in bags.
Which Airlines Serve Energy Drinks?
After reading all these, let’s say you don’t want to take energy drinks with you. And also, you don’t want to miss out on a sip of energy drink while you are on the flight.
Then the only option that remains is to look towards the Airline Service providers if they offer it or not.
Here we have prepared a list of some of the airlines and beverages they offer. [Source]
American Airlines:
In case of Flights under 900 miles: Complimentary beverage service is available that includes canned drinks, water, and juice in the main cabin.
For flights between 900 and 2199 miles: Just like the previous one, complimentary beverages, including canned drinks, water, and juice in the main cabin.
However, it is important to note that this airline doesn’t offer a second drink service in case of domestic flights that are longer than 1500 miles. Yes, you can request to get the additional beverages, though.
Delta Air Lines:
For long-haul international flights, flights from Minneapolis-Honolulu: In all cabins, you can get the offerings of a full selection of beverages.
Frontier Airlines:
Frontier Airlines have begun offering a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for sale.
JetBlue:
They offer drinks like Canada Dry Sierra Mist, Bubly Lime, Pepsi, etc.
Final Thoughts
Although we can’t rule out the probability of energy drinks rupturing, generally, they won’t explode on a plane. You can pack them well and keep them in the suitcase for added safety.
For carry-on bags, as per TSA, you are allowed to take only a 3.4 oz quantity, that too, as per their recommended packing guidelines.
If you don’t feel like taking it, you can choose other drinks your airlines offer. You can further do your research based on the airline you will be traveling on.
That’s it! We hope this guide has given you a helpful guide about traveling with energy drinks on a plane. Wish you a happy journey 🙂
Love to read about Energy Drinks? Check out more of our energy drinks resources below.
- Can I Drink Red Bull & Pre-Workout? [Explained!]
- What Do Energy Drinks Taste Like? [Complete Analysis]
FAQs:
In general, Red Bulls won’t rupture on a plane. The airplane cabins are pressurized, and the general consensus is that they can remain unaffected during the flight. However, the chance of a rupture can’t be completely ruled out, although it is less likely.
We don’t recommend you to leave energy drinks in a car if it’s cold outside. Even though it should be okay unless the temperature outside is freezing, it is better to be on the safer side.
Red Bull can’t shatter a windshield, and it was a completely fake trend. Many YouTube videos have been made in which this myth is clearly exposed, and nothing happens after pouring Red Bull over the windshield just a windshield filled with Red Bull.
