Originally Posted by
Qwkynuf
I'm pretty sure that there is no such thing as a "non-pressurized cargo hold" on any of the US domestic carriers anymore (and hasn't been for quite some time). It's why your shaving cream can doesn't explode (or at least spit the plug out and vent a couple cubic feet of foam into your suitcase).
Ah ignorance is bliss. Commercial aircraft do indeed have pressurized cabins and baggage/cargo holds.... however aircraft are not pressurized at sea level pressure and long flights would expose the wine to the lower pressure. A number of carriers use older aircraft to Hawaii which can pressurize at 7 or 8,000 feet but newer aircraft will be about 4 - 5,000 feet. There is also a lack of humidity in aircraft ventilation though newer equipment like 787 partially addresses this. Again on long flights this may effect corks in a wine bottle.
Don't believe it? Take the bottled water you get on the plane, drink the water so bottle is full of air whilst at cruise altitude. Screw up the top tightly and watch what happens to the bottle as you descend...