RUMOR-"Busted?": Free alcohol returns to TPAC on Jan 1, 2015
Dec 9, 2014, 10:30 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CLE
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Posts: 982
RUMOR-"Busted?": Free alcohol returns to TPAC on Jan 1, 2015
Apologies if I missed this in another thread somewhere -- couldn't find one searching, and I've been bouncing all over Asia for the last few weeks, so I haven't been reading FT consistently!
Had a UA TPAC flight returning home yesterday, and was hanging in the galley chatting with the FAs for part of the trip. The FAs indicated they'd just heard that they would no longer be charging for alcohol back in the economy cabin starting January 1.
They weren't clear on whether this was just beer/wine or all alcohol. But indicated that this up-sell had not been a success on the TPAC routes, and that the FAs had been pushing for this too, as they were embarrassed to be nickel-and-diming upset Asian travelers on a 13-hour flight for a can of beer.
Given that we're already well into December, I'd expect some kind of official announcement soon (if I didn't already miss it)!
Had a UA TPAC flight returning home yesterday, and was hanging in the galley chatting with the FAs for part of the trip. The FAs indicated they'd just heard that they would no longer be charging for alcohol back in the economy cabin starting January 1.
They weren't clear on whether this was just beer/wine or all alcohol. But indicated that this up-sell had not been a success on the TPAC routes, and that the FAs had been pushing for this too, as they were embarrassed to be nickel-and-diming upset Asian travelers on a 13-hour flight for a can of beer.
Given that we're already well into December, I'd expect some kind of official announcement soon (if I didn't already miss it)!
Dec 9, 2014, 10:44 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
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Huzzah for long distance Y flyers! Nothing like crawling back from product downgrade mistakes and re-joining the competition.
Dec 9, 2014, 11:11 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Dec 9, 2014, 11:42 am
#9
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as if I'm flying UA long-haul, it's going to be in J (preferably award/upgrade and not paid!) I just think it's continually embarrassing that they're so chintzy in small areas.
Dec 9, 2014, 11:51 am
#10
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UA is still a step behind, as they always are.
Dec 9, 2014, 12:03 pm
#11
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DL can afford to because their E+ cabin is painfully tiny. It'll cost UA 3x for the same benefit assuming the same % of alcoholics.
Dec 9, 2014, 12:11 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA, Bonvoy, Amex Plat
Posts: 1,582
It's a small but welcome change (75% of the way back to what we had before, but I guess a step in the right direction).
I was lucky and was in J for all but one TPAC segment this year, but I've found in general that half the time, the FAs I've had in Y, even domestically, discreetly refuse payment for booze--and often even refuse to take my drink chits. The other half of the time, they are almost over-the-top apologetic about asking for payment (until I say "not to worry!" and give them my drink chit, and they are visibly relieved).
I was lucky and was in J for all but one TPAC segment this year, but I've found in general that half the time, the FAs I've had in Y, even domestically, discreetly refuse payment for booze--and often even refuse to take my drink chits. The other half of the time, they are almost over-the-top apologetic about asking for payment (until I say "not to worry!" and give them my drink chit, and they are visibly relieved).
Dec 9, 2014, 12:27 pm
#14
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Apologies if I missed this in another thread somewhere -- couldn't find one searching, and I've been bouncing all over Asia for the last few weeks, so I haven't been reading FT consistently!
Had a UA TPAC flight returning home yesterday, and was hanging in the galley chatting with the FAs for part of the trip. The FAs indicated they'd just heard that they would no longer be charging for alcohol back in the economy cabin starting January 1.
They weren't clear on whether this was just beer/wine or all alcohol. But indicated that this up-sell had not been a success on the TPAC routes, and that the FAs had been pushing for this too, as they were embarrassed to be nickel-and-diming upset Asian travelers on a 13-hour flight for a can of beer.
Given that we're already well into December, I'd expect some kind of official announcement soon (if I didn't already miss it)!
Had a UA TPAC flight returning home yesterday, and was hanging in the galley chatting with the FAs for part of the trip. The FAs indicated they'd just heard that they would no longer be charging for alcohol back in the economy cabin starting January 1.
They weren't clear on whether this was just beer/wine or all alcohol. But indicated that this up-sell had not been a success on the TPAC routes, and that the FAs had been pushing for this too, as they were embarrassed to be nickel-and-diming upset Asian travelers on a 13-hour flight for a can of beer.
Given that we're already well into December, I'd expect some kind of official announcement soon (if I didn't already miss it)!
I believe that eventually airlines are going to be forced to stop all alcohol service on a plane. Kind of like some baseball parks are banning it. One too many fights. And one too many lawsuits by someone injured by a drunk.