I just returned home from a trip to FRA. Excellent service both outbound and return to LHR.

However, what really raised an eyebrow was the fact that, just as we started descent, somewhere over Essex (yes, I could see white Ford XR3Is below) the CE Purser came through asking if anyone would like a drink before we land.

Naturally, I accepted the offer of more champgne. However, since I can't / won't gulp the stuff (even the CE offering, which I don't find unpleasant), I ended up with a half full bottle when the crew took their seats.

Half expecting (lessening by the second) that someone would come past and whisk it all away from me, I settled in for landing. No-one came.

I was left (quite happily), sipping until we landed and got right to the gate. It was the most pleasant landing into LHR I have had in a long time. It seemed like an extension of the service, which made me enjoy things much more.

Upon landing my jacket was then brought to me and the bottle and glass cleared away with a 'Let me take that from you Sir'.

Don't mis-understand me; I'm not objecting in any way, but this is the first time I've been left with a drink (in a glass) at landing. I've seen it happen on a F flight back tot LHR from JNB in Jan, but assumed this was an oversight on the part of the crew.

Is this accepted procedure, or was it a (pleasant) lapse in protocol?

M