The Problem with Champagne on the Ground is It’s Prosecco
Sep 8, 2019, 8:06 am
#1
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The Problem with Champagne on the Ground is It’s Prosecco
An FA on a recent international flight in Business told me that the “champagne” that AA serve on the ground is just cheap and nasty Prosecco due to the need for the airline to pay duty on alcoholic beverages served on the ground, and that they only open up actual bottles of champagne when in the air (which is then duty free).
Anyone know the truth of this ?
Anyone know the truth of this ?
Sep 8, 2019, 8:11 am
#2
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Yes that’s correct re the duty but Prosecco isn’t ‘cheap and nasty’. Many people prefer it to proper champagne
On all the international AA flights I’ve been on the CC has always and correctly asked me if I wanted water, OJ or sparking wine.
On all the international AA flights I’ve been on the CC has always and correctly asked me if I wanted water, OJ or sparking wine.
Sep 8, 2019, 9:30 am
#4
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Sep 8, 2019, 9:54 am
#7
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Yes. No different than the reason that many carriers do not serve top shelf booze on the ground. Not only the requirement that duty be paid, but the stuff served on the ground must go in entirely different carts which are not bonded (locked).
Sep 8, 2019, 10:02 am
#8
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An FA on a recent international flight in Business told me that the “champagne” that AA serve on the ground is just cheap and nasty Prosecco due to the need for the airline to pay duty on alcoholic beverages served on the ground, and that they only open up actual bottles of champagne when in the air (which is then duty free).
Anyone know the truth of this ?
Anyone know the truth of this ?
I've had good Prosecco, Cava, and other non-champagnes that have even been of excellent quality, but actual champagne is generally good to fantastic to my taste.
Final comment on this. I have no idea why AA does this, when almost any other airline offers actual champagne in the premium cabins and in actual glassware. Can't imagine the duty costs are that large, but in exchange it does take away from the "premium" offering experience, IMHO.
Sep 8, 2019, 10:26 am
#9
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Final comment on this. I have no idea why AA does this, when almost any other airline offers actual champagne in the premium cabins and in actual glassware. Can't imagine the duty costs are that large, but in exchange it does take away from the "premium" offering experience, IMHO.
As for the general proposition, sheesh, it is maybe 4 ounces of a cool beverage prior to departure, and esnobismo exhibited on the topic over the course of Flyertalk history is well, speshul. I'll suffer with a plastic cup of the pre-departure swill so long as my Lorren Parry Aye Granne Saw Selle is chilling to perfection during boarding, taxi, and takeoff.
Sep 8, 2019, 11:13 am
#10
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Many premium carriers serve "substandard" bubbles for the reason mentioned above. Duty costs can be substantial. Glassware? Carrier specific. I don't know if the FAA requires that actual glassware is removed prior to gate departure (for US carriers), but I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case.
As for the general proposition, sheesh, it is maybe 4 ounces of a cool beverage prior to departure, and esnobismo exhibited on the topic over the course of Flyertalk history is well, speshul. I'll suffer with a plastic cup of the pre-departure swill so long as my Lorren Parry Aye Granne Saw Selle is chilling to perfection during boarding, taxi, and takeoff.
As for the general proposition, sheesh, it is maybe 4 ounces of a cool beverage prior to departure, and esnobismo exhibited on the topic over the course of Flyertalk history is well, speshul. I'll suffer with a plastic cup of the pre-departure swill so long as my Lorren Parry Aye Granne Saw Selle is chilling to perfection during boarding, taxi, and takeoff.
I shudder to think of the tortuous pronunciations that are inflicted on the poor wine.
Sep 8, 2019, 11:22 am
#12
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DL currently uses glassware for Int’l PDB as did even LUS (I think) before the merger for their Envoy flights. It can be done by US airlines.