Just joined FlyerTalk. A couple of days ago, before boarding UA 88 from Beijng to Newark, I visited the airport duty-fee shop, and decided to buy a bottle of whiskey. At check-out I was asked to show my boarding pass (as usual) and then told that United does not allow the purchase of duty-free alcohol. The cashier simply said: this is because of airline regulations. Has anyone had the same experience? This is the first time an airline prevents me from buying a duty-free item at the airport shop.
I think this should be a standard rule on all int'l flights. So, this is it. There is the perception of those who imight have too much to drink on the aircraft.
If one has a bottle, the FAs cannot cut you off as easily as they can if they are supplying the hooch.