BYOB Onboard?
May 14, 2014, 1:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 262
BYOB Onboard?
I've been getting quite frustrated with the quality of wines provided in club europe/world, which while passable, are far from exciting, and I was wandering if anyone has ever looked to bring their own bottle of wine onboard. I asked a crew member recently if this was ever done and was told that while it was not an offence to open a bottle purchased in duty free, which I thought it was, it was against the law to allow a passenger to be inebriated on an aircraft. Clearly a very subjective rule (especially given the heavy hand of most crew members) but understandable.
So, has anyone ever seen this happen? Would be pretty cool to have a quality bottle of whine onboard, albeit altitude will detract from the experience, but would surely be an improvement on some of those provided. Probably wouldn't want to create a fuss about trying to open one on a full flight but if empty as it recently was on upper deck to NY and not against the rules could be a nice idea to ask permission of the crew.
So, has anyone ever seen this happen? Would be pretty cool to have a quality bottle of whine onboard, albeit altitude will detract from the experience, but would surely be an improvement on some of those provided. Probably wouldn't want to create a fuss about trying to open one on a full flight but if empty as it recently was on upper deck to NY and not against the rules could be a nice idea to ask permission of the crew.
May 14, 2014, 2:14 am
#5
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May 14, 2014, 2:27 am
#7
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I've usually done so when there has been catering problems.
If you buy a bottle at Caviar House, they'll uncork it for you and give you a resealable plastic/rubber, metal cap instead, if you ask.
bjorns
May 14, 2014, 2:44 am
#8
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It's a problem on the tube: the armrests are too narrow to hold bottle or glass.
Just don't get me started on London buses, although National Express can be a joy.
My car has a handy glass holder, but accommodating the bottle while negotiating traffic is a problem.
Just don't get me started on London buses, although National Express can be a joy.
My car has a handy glass holder, but accommodating the bottle while negotiating traffic is a problem.
May 14, 2014, 2:48 am
#9
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMMdN4AFtqE
May 14, 2014, 2:54 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
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May 14, 2014, 3:13 am
#13
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May 14, 2014, 3:22 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2006
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I used to do this a fair bit in F before the liquids ban, and enjoyed a few half bottles of Pichon Baron and Yquem as a result. I thought by them only being half bottles I'd be seen as not being a p!sshead. Whether that bit worked or not I don't know.
I always ask the crew if they would mind opening and serving it to me, and I am always ready for a "No". This is key, there is no point in embarrassing yourself.
On AA the crew used to ask the captain (or so they said), who always said "Yes". VS J have been OK with it too, but it's been some time since I last tried.
Since the liquid ban, I only bother taking dessert wine onboard on airlines that don't serve it, like SQ or CX. On SQ the crew ask further up the chain but it has been OK in my experience. On CX, I had an immediate "No" so I've never bothered to ask since.
I don't bother with BYOB on BA, as the stuff in F is pretty darned good, albeit usually rubbish for food pairing with the flight's menu, which is a bit silly as the menus in F these days combine wine and food in the same booklet, so you'd have hoped they might've thought about it. (I have yet to sample A380 F, fixing that next week though).
What I do these days however is bring on my own stemware. The thimble glasses are rubbish for getting your olfactory senses going, and to me it's a shocking waste on BA F to be drinking that grog like that. The crew quite often overfill the tiny glasses too.
So I bring on one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Riedel-To-Re...414%2F0+riedel
Pint of wine anyone?
I always ask the crew if they would mind opening and serving it to me, and I am always ready for a "No". This is key, there is no point in embarrassing yourself.
On AA the crew used to ask the captain (or so they said), who always said "Yes". VS J have been OK with it too, but it's been some time since I last tried.
Since the liquid ban, I only bother taking dessert wine onboard on airlines that don't serve it, like SQ or CX. On SQ the crew ask further up the chain but it has been OK in my experience. On CX, I had an immediate "No" so I've never bothered to ask since.
I don't bother with BYOB on BA, as the stuff in F is pretty darned good, albeit usually rubbish for food pairing with the flight's menu, which is a bit silly as the menus in F these days combine wine and food in the same booklet, so you'd have hoped they might've thought about it. (I have yet to sample A380 F, fixing that next week though).
What I do these days however is bring on my own stemware. The thimble glasses are rubbish for getting your olfactory senses going, and to me it's a shocking waste on BA F to be drinking that grog like that. The crew quite often overfill the tiny glasses too.
So I bring on one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Riedel-To-Re...414%2F0+riedel
Pint of wine anyone?
May 14, 2014, 3:30 am
#15
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Brighton, UK
Programs: BA Gold, IC Ambassador, HH Gold, SPG Gold, Fairmont Platinum
Posts: 3,166
I've been getting quite frustrated with the quality of wines provided in club europe/world, which while passable, are far from exciting, and I was wandering if anyone has ever looked to bring their own bottle of wine onboard. I asked a crew member recently if this was ever done and was told that while it was not an offence to open a bottle purchased in duty free, which I thought it was, it was against the law to allow a passenger to be inebriated on an aircraft. Clearly a very subjective rule (especially given the heavy hand of most crew members) but understandable.
So, has anyone ever seen this happen? Would be pretty cool to have a quality bottle of whine onboard, albeit altitude will detract from the experience, but would surely be an improvement on some of those provided. Probably wouldn't want to create a fuss about trying to open one on a full flight but if empty as it recently was on upper deck to NY and not against the rules could be a nice idea to ask permission of the crew.
So, has anyone ever seen this happen? Would be pretty cool to have a quality bottle of whine onboard, albeit altitude will detract from the experience, but would surely be an improvement on some of those provided. Probably wouldn't want to create a fuss about trying to open one on a full flight but if empty as it recently was on upper deck to NY and not against the rules could be a nice idea to ask permission of the crew.
I did what most of the plane did and bought some duty free (in my case dark rum). I can distinctly remember trying every possible mixer with it including lime
