Why is booze so important to flyers?
Aug 5, 2023, 8:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Northern Ireland
Programs: BA Silver, A3
Posts: 1,102
Why is booze so important to flyers?
I know that not every member of this group imbibes but I have never understood why so many here get uptight about having (or rather not having) the best of the best of the most expensive alcohol in the lounges and on board.
I enjoy a tipple but it wouldn't spoil the enjoyment of a flight if it's not there. I well remember a crew member being shocked when I refused a third top up on the upper deck of the 747 to Dubai. He returned several times to see whether I had changed my mind!
Would some of the Connoisseurs of the devil's water tell me if their lives are spend in business soirées consuming inordinate amounts of Moët & Chandon?
I enjoy a tipple but it wouldn't spoil the enjoyment of a flight if it's not there. I well remember a crew member being shocked when I refused a third top up on the upper deck of the 747 to Dubai. He returned several times to see whether I had changed my mind!
Would some of the Connoisseurs of the devil's water tell me if their lives are spend in business soirées consuming inordinate amounts of Moët & Chandon?
Aug 5, 2023, 8:31 am
#2
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,741
And, as a purely leisure traveller, a few drinks is a good way to start any holiday.
Aug 5, 2023, 8:31 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: southampton
Programs: BAEC GGL, Virgin Silver, Marriott Platinum, HH diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 257
Quoting Moët & Chandon champagne may be the reason why you are not that bothered about champagne, if that is what you are drinking as being the best!
On a serious note, I personally think it is more to do with the airline being seen as "cheap" when you pay a lot of money for a ticket you expect to get wine/champagne at a level comensurate with what you paid. For example pre Covid there was a period where First class was serving a Villa Maria which ypu could get on offer for £5 at a supermarket. If I'd paid £3000-6000 for a first class ticket I wouldn't be that happy either.
On a serious note, I personally think it is more to do with the airline being seen as "cheap" when you pay a lot of money for a ticket you expect to get wine/champagne at a level comensurate with what you paid. For example pre Covid there was a period where First class was serving a Villa Maria which ypu could get on offer for £5 at a supermarket. If I'd paid £3000-6000 for a first class ticket I wouldn't be that happy either.
Aug 5, 2023, 8:42 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
Not a teetotaler though not far off. But I would prefer the airline spend the budget on better food than expensive alcohol. The meals, even in J, are hardly better than a tv dinner. I'm always surprised at how effort people put into judging the food better or worse on this airline or that when it all seems to range from inedible to an average supermarket tv dinner. They seem to be willing to spend $50 on a bottle of alcohol one passenger can get through on their own and then don't seem to be willing to buy something worth more than $8 for the meal.
Aug 5, 2023, 8:42 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Platinum; Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 788
I don't like champagne (or sparkling wine in general), so I'm much more interested in other aspects of the drink selection that generally get much less attention, sadly.
Aug 5, 2023, 8:45 am
#9
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,263
Air travel involves sitting in a metal tube for long periods of time. Alcohol’s effect on the body is to change your perception of time so it doesn’t feel quite so long and, for many, it makes you feel more relaxed. Plus, it tastes nice!
Aug 5, 2023, 8:46 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Forest of Dean
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 84
I don't drink when flying, often because there's a drive at destination, and my wife doesn't drink at all. Some better quality, more imaginative soft drinks would be appreciated. There are plenty available these days.
Aug 5, 2023, 8:49 am
#11
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 182
Get the missus to drive and really tie one on, surely?
Aug 5, 2023, 9:03 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,549
I always mentally connected alcohol and flying, probably due to advertising and experience. I found it annoying when I couldn't get a drink on a plane. Then last year I decided to break that connection and others. Went dry and realized that I still love flying even when not in that boozy haze. I remember flying First and having a banging headache half way through which ruined the flight somewhat. It was undoubtedly the booze.
As for the quality issue, well airlines market luxury so ought to deliver it. If you're saying it's the finest and best, I think it's fair for people to demand something at the price point paid. Not everything good is expensive, mind. Plenty of good wines that do retail more cheaply.
As for the quality issue, well airlines market luxury so ought to deliver it. If you're saying it's the finest and best, I think it's fair for people to demand something at the price point paid. Not everything good is expensive, mind. Plenty of good wines that do retail more cheaply.
Aug 5, 2023, 9:15 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Spitalfields, London
Programs: BA Gold, KFC 'The Colonel's Club' Palladium tier, Mucci des Visions Célestes du Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Posts: 2,327
I know that not every member of this group imbibes but I have never understood why so many here get uptight about having (or rather not having) the best of the best of the most expensive alcohol in the lounges and on board.
I enjoy a tipple but it wouldn't spoil the enjoyment of a flight if it's not there. I well remember a crew member being shocked when I refused a third top up on the upper deck of the 747 to Dubai. He returned several times to see whether I had changed my mind!
Would some of the Connoisseurs of the devil's water tell me if their lives are spend in business soirées consuming inordinate amounts of Moët & Chandon?
I enjoy a tipple but it wouldn't spoil the enjoyment of a flight if it's not there. I well remember a crew member being shocked when I refused a third top up on the upper deck of the 747 to Dubai. He returned several times to see whether I had changed my mind!
Would some of the Connoisseurs of the devil's water tell me if their lives are spend in business soirées consuming inordinate amounts of Moët & Chandon?
I’m kind of interested why you ask, as if the question is negated (why don’t you drink whilst flying?), it feels a little strange.