Predeparture Drinks in First Class?
Aug 9, 2018, 2:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
Predeparture Drinks in First Class?
Was just informed by my FA that Alaska has changed its policy and will no longer offer pre-flight drinks in first class - water only. Policy went into effect August 1st. Fairly disappointing given that even the legacy carriers do this on a far worse first class product. Just a heads up for folks. 
If it matters - I’m on a previous VX flight out of Maui.
If it matters - I’m on a previous VX flight out of Maui.
Aug 9, 2018, 3:30 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
Programs: AS MVPG100K, Marriott Marriott Titanium Elite, Hilton Gold
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Was just informed by my FA that Alaska has changed its policy and will no longer offer pre-flight drinks in first class - water only. Policy went into effect August 1st. Fairly disappointing given that even the legacy carriers do this on a far worse first class product. Just a heads up for folks. If it matters - I’m on a previous VX flight out of Maui.
If it matters - I’m on a previous VX flight out of Maui.
James
Aug 9, 2018, 4:02 am
#3
Join Date: May 2013
Location: west coast best coast
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It's been like this for a while, unfortunately. No full drink service or alcoholic drinks on the ground. In the mornings they might offer orange juice or coffee/tea. Maybe.
The service has become very different compared to Delta in F.
The service has become very different compared to Delta in F.
Aug 9, 2018, 4:39 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: British Columbia
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James
Aug 9, 2018, 7:13 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 5
When you say drinks are you pertaining to alcohol? I flew out of OGG 8/4 at 10:00 pm for PDX and there was no PDB. However, after connecting to OO E175 to SEA at 7:00 am on 8/5, Orange Juice was served as a PDB. During the 30 minute flight a full drink service was provided and served with two packages of Biscoff. We had already started our decent when I got my beverage. No turbulence that day.
James
James
Aug 9, 2018, 7:40 am
#6
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Important to compare F pricing. If you are saving substantially by flying F on AS, it may be worth forgoing a cup of OJ or a well vodka or the like. But, if one of the carriers with real F, e.g. AA, DL, or UA is in the ballpark, you are simply seeing AS establish itself as a LCC without the LC, e.g. "low cost". In that case, book the legacy carrier.
Aug 9, 2018, 8:06 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
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AS really needs to stop this nonsense. I think what you saw was existing policy being taught to a VX FA, as they're cycling through training to get cleared for the Boeings.
As much as AS tries to imitate the Big 3, this is one of the most glaring discrepancies towards that goal.
As much as AS tries to imitate the Big 3, this is one of the most glaring discrepancies towards that goal.
Aug 9, 2018, 8:25 am
#9
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SEA
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Posts: 200
Doesn't a lot of this have to do with airframe config? On Alaska FC is always crowded with a line of passengers heading to coach which makes it tough to serve anything. Not impossible if the FA gets to it before the crush but still not easy. I would enjoy a PDB on many occasions but generally speaking I just make sure my lounge experience sets me right for an hour or so.
Aug 9, 2018, 9:08 am
#10
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Doesn't a lot of this have to do with airframe config? On Alaska FC is always crowded with a line of passengers heading to coach which makes it tough to serve anything. Not impossible if the FA gets to it before the crush but still not easy. I would enjoy a PDB on many occasions but generally speaking I just make sure my lounge experience sets me right for an hour or so.
Aug 9, 2018, 9:10 am
#11
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Aug 9, 2018, 10:15 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
The question seems..... Is this really AS policy now or is FA using this as a reason not to offer PDB?
Not clear as others have had differing experiences.
It seems “policy” is used and many are never sure because its always changing on AS.
Welcome Trevorwh2 to FlyerTalk!
Not clear as others have had differing experiences.
It seems “policy” is used and many are never sure because its always changing on AS.
Welcome Trevorwh2 to FlyerTalk!
Aug 9, 2018, 10:20 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
Aug 9, 2018, 10:25 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: AS MVPG, 1MM
Posts: 377
I am not sure if this is a "new" policy regarding PDB in general or regarding flights to Hawaii which is the only flight I can recall that had mimosa or POG available. Outside of that I can probably count on one hand how many times I received an alcoholic PDB on AS for some time. Indeed there are numerous posts on different topics on this forum that constantly "gripe" about no PDB on AS other than water. Sure, I have had coffee offered to me several times but again, not sure about a "new" policy of no PDB when there was none before, again unless you are referring to the Hawaii trips.
Aug 9, 2018, 10:27 am
#15
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 3,361
Important to compare F pricing. If you are saving substantially by flying F on AS, it may be worth forgoing a cup of OJ or a well vodka or the like. But, if one of the carriers with real F, e.g. AA, DL, or UA is in the ballpark, you are simply seeing AS establish itself as a LCC without the LC, e.g. "low cost". In that case, book the legacy carrier.
