Ok to take CE Champagne for the road??

Polomarc · Nov 20, 12, 9:01 am

Sometimes when I fly I ask for a bottle which I will drink later. It has never been any problem

However last weekend coming back from Jersey the CSD broke the seal on the bottles and said they have to do that. Is that because they think I will sell it on Ebay or something to do with the FT's going on that big trip to Seoul?

Thanks

csdavidson · Nov 20, 12, 9:06 am

It's a licence thing. Just like you can't take beer / wine out of the pub.

Littlegirl · Nov 20, 12, 9:09 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polomarc

Sometimes when I fly I ask for a bottle which I will drink later. It has never been any problem

However last weekend coming back from Jersey the CSD broke the seal on the bottles and said they have to do that. Is that because they think I will sell it on Ebay or something to do with the FT's going on that big trip to Seoul?

Thanks

I think it is to do with EU law.
We are not officially allowed to give you alcohol to take off so this crew member was correct.
We can't even sell tax free alcohol on EU flights either. i.e. there are no tax free sales of alcohol or cigarettes on flights within the EU and I think this may be linked as these will be tax free bars but for the consumption on board only.
Obviously if you take off a small bottle of champagne without us realising!!

no one will be any the wiser in most cases!

Lioneye · Nov 20, 12, 9:16 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polomarc

Sometimes when I fly I ask for a bottle which I will drink later. It has never been any problem

However last weekend coming back from Jersey the CSD broke the seal on the bottles and said they have to do that. Is that because they think I will sell it on Ebay or something to do with the FT's going on that big trip to Seoul?

Thanks

What a cheek! - your flight is over, what gives you the impression you are allowed to pillage the contents of the plane?

Geoggy · Nov 20, 12, 9:20 am

i've been given bottles of champers to take off by the crew when its been a special occasion - usually at the end of a US flight though

Polomarc · Nov 20, 12, 9:20 am

Thanks csdavidson and Littlegirl .
The crew has been very generous with the champagne

What a cheek! - your flight is over, what gives you the impression you are allowed to pillage the contents of the plane?

Since it was offered to me I thought why not drink it later. Then next time was why not ask for it

Hoch · Nov 20, 12, 10:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geoggy:19717400

i've been given bottles of champers to take off by the crew when its been a special occasion - usually at the end of a US flight though

Same here. Even got a bottle of wine in addition to the champagne. This has always been in F.

H

nh1980 · Nov 20, 12, 10:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polomarc

Sometimes when I fly I ask for a bottle which I will drink later. It has never been any problem

However last weekend coming back from Jersey the CSD broke the seal on the bottles and said they have to do that. Is that because they think I will sell it on Ebay or something to do with the FT's going on that big trip to Seoul?

Thanks

I have done so before, just the one bottle mind (and one for my friend) when my lovely FA said she was going to close up and there was time for another for sure as we were a little late or needed to circle a bit more

We saved it for the Heathrow Express!

The breaking of the seal etc. is explained by others above on the licensing permit but has been the case for a while and not linked to the Seoul trip (long haul hence CW and First) in which case the champagne will be poured from the large bottles into glasses rather than the mini Pommery bottles that are handed out in CE.

T8191 · Nov 20, 12, 10:28 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lioneye

What a cheek! - your flight is over, what gives you the impression you are allowed to pillage the contents of the plane?

Indeed - ask for a few bags of crisps/birdseed as well. Why not?

dc2447 · Nov 20, 12, 10:53 am

I am amazed that this is possible, respect to OP, much respect.

BAGoldBoy · Nov 20, 12, 10:59 am

I have been given the odd bottle for the road by a friendly FA but would not expect it.

Like others we have been gifted champagne or wine on long haul F flights. Stupidly accepted one at the end of a LHR-SIN flight with short stop over at SIN. And then it was confiscated when we recleared security to continue our flight to SYD.

On another occassion we were flying into YVR on my wife's birthday and the CSD gave us a bottle of fizz. Of course we hadn't listed it on our Customs form and got a right grilling at the airport. Sarcatically asked "So BA now give out free champagne?". I felt a strong urge to insert the bottle somewhere about his person.

SKRan · Nov 21, 12, 2:07 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Littlegirl

I think it is to do with EU law.
We are not officially allowed to give you alcohol to take off so this crew member was correct.
We can't even sell tax free alcohol on EU flights either. i.e. there are no tax free sales of alcohol or cigarettes on flights within the EU and I think this may be linked as these will be tax free bars but for the consumption on board only.
Obviously if you take off a small bottle of champagne without us realising!!

no one will be any the wiser in most cases!

jersey is not EU.

Littlegirl · Nov 21, 12, 2:21 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by SKRan

jersey is not EU.

You are correct but for Customs issues it is treated in the same way as an EU country. See here:-
http://www.cab.org.je/index.php?opti...=212&Itemid=53

thedreamliner · Nov 21, 12, 2:55 am

I've been asked several times if I want anything to take off on a Club Europe flight. Best haul ever was half a dozen bottles of "unopened" champagne. Nice

Littlegirl · Nov 21, 12, 3:06 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedreamliner

I've been asked several times if I want anything to take off on a Club Europe flight. Best haul ever was half a dozen bottles of "unopened" champagne. Nice

Isn't your girlfriend crew!

By far the fastest way to see the end of any crew giving you an unopened bottle of champagne or any other drink is to post about it here.

Either the authorities or BA will be sure to clamp down !!!

From time to time we get a reminder from BA that we cannot allow passengers to take off alcohol from the aircraft bars on flights between EU countries and I sense another reminder coming soon!!!