PDBs Coming Back? (anecdotes, experiences)
#106
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,094
"Service-free" flights?
I regularly fly from GSP-CLT and back. Yesterday, the flight attendant in first class announced, during boarding, that the flight was "service free" and that there would be no drinks or snacks at all. The flight attendant then offered non-alcoholic beverages during boarding, stating that "alcohol can't be offered while on the ground". There were so many "I can'ts" that I figured that the flight attendant really didn't want to serve anything, so I didn't even bother asking for a glass of water.
Is this new? Are some flights now "service-free"? This flight was on a regional carrier, if that matters.
I then had a connecting flight, and the flight attendant in first class (mainline AA) was fantastic, starting with pre-departure drinks (of any kind).
Thanks.
Is this new? Are some flights now "service-free"? This flight was on a regional carrier, if that matters.
I then had a connecting flight, and the flight attendant in first class (mainline AA) was fantastic, starting with pre-departure drinks (of any kind).
Thanks.
#107
Join Date: May 2016
Location: United States
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 21
Is this new? Are some flights now "service-free"? This flight was on a regional carrier, if that matters.
I then had a connecting flight, and the flight attendant in first class (mainline AA) was fantastic, starting with pre-departure drinks (of any kind).
Thanks.
I then had a connecting flight, and the flight attendant in first class (mainline AA) was fantastic, starting with pre-departure drinks (of any kind).
Thanks.
I’m reference to PDBs there’s some restrictions for mainline in certain states. But overall there’s no restrictions in most US cities.
#108
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Washington DC
Programs: BA GLD, AA GLD 1MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,704
Did a DCA-LGA round trip end of last week; full PDB service both ways, altho coffee wasn’t available on the northbound flight. I agree the plastic cups they’re using now seem very flimsy and small, not the same as they were using before. Glassware once airborne both ways.
#109
Join Date: Feb 2022
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 949
Every sub 250 mile flight I've been on there's been a beverage service unless there's bumpy air. This has included IAH/DFW, MIA/TPA, DCA/LGA and ATL/CLT. Now PDBs are another matter and it's usually (but not always) been just one round in air.
#110
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Choice Hotels
Posts: 762
I have always had proactive beverage service on countless DFW-OKC flights in F. This includes mainline, Mesa, Skywest, and Envoy. Even during the worst of the covid service reductions. That's a 175 mi flight.
#111
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,094
Yesterday’s flight had no drinks and no snacks at all in the air- it was a “service free” flight. Nothing could even be requested. I’d never heard that before.
#112
Join Date: May 2016
Location: United States
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 21
sorry, I probably should clarify that the 250 rule is MC. FC is always offer beverage once safe to do so, only time it’s not offered in FC is when the flight doesn’t break 10k feet.
#113
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,678
Tuesday, I flew BOS-JFK (A321T), JFK-MIA (772), and MIA-SJU (normal mainline) -- 0 for 3 on PDBs. Good service on all the flights but no PDBs...
Yesterday I flew SJU-CLT-PWM. Finally got a PDB on SJU-CLT. Great service on both flights.
Yesterday I flew SJU-CLT-PWM. Finally got a PDB on SJU-CLT. Great service on both flights.
#114
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
-FlyerBeek
#115
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DCA/CLT/HKG
Programs: AA EXP (Former US CP)
Posts: 731
I recall flights under a certain length (DFW-AUS, CLT-RDU/CHS/ATL) would have a refreshment service in the back consisting of individual water bottles and OJ cuplets, but that seems to have been discontinued with the pandemic. I think anything over 125mi got the OJ and water in back? There may have been full-service "exemption" routes IIRC.
#116
Join Date: May 2016
Location: United States
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 21
What was the pre-COVID MC beverage rule?
I recall flights under a certain length (DFW-AUS, CLT-RDU/CHS/ATL) would have a refreshment service in the back consisting of individual water bottles and OJ cuplets, but that seems to have been discontinued with the pandemic. I think anything over 125mi got the OJ and water in back? There may have been full-service "exemption" routes IIRC.
I recall flights under a certain length (DFW-AUS, CLT-RDU/CHS/ATL) would have a refreshment service in the back consisting of individual water bottles and OJ cuplets, but that seems to have been discontinued with the pandemic. I think anything over 125mi got the OJ and water in back? There may have been full-service "exemption" routes IIRC.
#117
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WAS/TYO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP (3MM), DL PM, BONVOY TITANIUM, HYATT GLOBALIST, HILTON DIAMOND, IHG DIAMOND AMB, et al
Posts: 5,913
It changed over the years, but pre-COVID in 2017 AA stopped full beverage service in Y on flights under 250mi. Main cabin service was limited to small bottles of water or a cup of juice, although more options were supposed to be available on request. https://viewfromthewing.com/american...ective-june-1/
As always, the actual service provided onboard was somewhat inconsistent in my experience.
-FlyerBeek
As always, the actual service provided onboard was somewhat inconsistent in my experience.
-FlyerBeek