Originally Posted by iriefrank
I recently flew LAX-LHR and then LGW-IAH-LAX, and the drink service on CO really impressed me. On VS they did drink service four times on the entire flight, and I had to go to the galley begging for water. On CO they served drinks almost continuously. It was fantastic.
This is actually customary on foreign carriers. It's an American thing to expect to be served all beverages, while it's a European thing to go up and get them.
While you can always ring the FA or get their attention, in Upper Class, Virgin has a proper bar. On AF in biz, they setup a bar area that you can visit. They'll even put out snacks and stuff out there.
In coach on these carriers, it's not uncommon to have juice and water setup in the galley already poured in glasses, or to have water bottles and plastic cups there so you can pour it yourself.
It's not really bad service, rather different custom.