On the past few flights I’ve taken (a mix of westcoast short-haul and DAL-LAX/SFO), I’ve consistently noticed that the Austin Cocktails Cucumber Mojito drink hasn’t been stocked. It’s printed on the menus they hand out in F for the DAL flights, yet it’s never catered. It’s a disappointment, because it’s actually REALLY good. I kinda ignored it at first, but once I tried it, I’ve always asked for it.

I’ll be flying to AUS tomorrow — which is the most logical route to serve it on (if they had to choose only one). If its not stocked there, I’ll assume it’s gone.

I’m sure the drink isn’t very popular, mainly because no one knows about it. After all, it’s the product of an Austin hipster startup. But if VX wants to serve great-but-unknown drinks (which they should!), they’d see more success if they advertised them (even subtly or casually recommended by FAs) in addition to merely offering them.

Is this drink — along with the First Amendment IPA — going away? Are subtle cuts like these — minuscule in isolation, but brand-devaluing in aggregate — indicative of the post-IPO Virgin America? Small things like this are little steps away from the hip brand that generated VX’s loyal following in the first place. Hopefully its not a sign of more to come!