Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
The cost to airlines of a "free drink" is really small - maybe 50c/bottle these days? Even if it is up to $1, it isn't very much. If it is from a bottle of wine, it is even less. And for each "free drink", it is that much less non-alcohol served, which also isn't "free" to the airline.
I guess it's all a matter of perspective. I'm betting that the money spent on free alcohol in F would cover adding some sort of bread to the breakfast tray. I'd rather have the bread, others may prefer the alcohol. AS has made the decision that the alcohol is more important. I lose.
Edited to add: I assume that alcohol costs more than soda just based on the prices I see at the store. If alcoholic drinks don't cost AS more than the other beverages in F, then my position is wrong.