Drink Sizes
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Posts: 21
Drink Sizes
Why do Emirates provide all their softdrinks in those miniature cans (150ml)?
Seems totally ridiculous given their frequency of serving drinks and more-so that if I chose to drink alcohol in the form of beer I would be served a full sized 375ml can.
So basically :
-Emirates appear stingy
-150ml is inadequate
-I still need to satisfy my thirst and need minimum 2-3 cans (no weight saving)
-Increased work for staff as they get called to serve drinks more
-Kind of promotes alcohol consumption
Almost as bad as Singapore Airlines pouring you half a plastic cup full, but at least if you ask for a can they give you a full sized one.
Seems totally ridiculous given their frequency of serving drinks and more-so that if I chose to drink alcohol in the form of beer I would be served a full sized 375ml can.
So basically :
-Emirates appear stingy
-150ml is inadequate
-I still need to satisfy my thirst and need minimum 2-3 cans (no weight saving)
-Increased work for staff as they get called to serve drinks more
-Kind of promotes alcohol consumption
Almost as bad as Singapore Airlines pouring you half a plastic cup full, but at least if you ask for a can they give you a full sized one.
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend




Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 46,134
The amount needed to satisfy thirst would normally be covered by 15cl; I doubt v much that you need 45cl ( nearly half a litre ) of water to sate a thirst except in rare cases
it is better, imo, to give out 15cl cans than to do what some airlines do and pour from a larger can into one of the small plastic cups
As far as frequency of serving goes, it isn't hard to pop to galley and get another , even back in economy
it is better, imo, to give out 15cl cans than to do what some airlines do and pour from a larger can into one of the small plastic cups
As far as frequency of serving goes, it isn't hard to pop to galley and get another , even back in economy
#3


Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Land of Oz
Posts: 1,055
Its a simple thing called Portion Control, not being stingy! Alot of people out their wont drink a 375ml can of drink in one hit, as Dave said most are satisfied with the smaller drinks. You dont make money as a business giving out large portions be it food or drink when it is likely to go to waste.
#4
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club




Join Date: Mar 2010
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I wouldn't say its stingy as these small cans don't cost less than the full size 300ml ones. If anything they cost more in the shop.
Second, have you thought of storage and logistics, maybe its just easier to have the small ones.
Second, have you thought of storage and logistics, maybe its just easier to have the small ones.
#5

Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 16,064
The answer is two-fold.
One is packaging. 150ml cans can be packed more densely in ATLAS standard drawers (although Emirates uses KSSU equipment, the same holds true) thus allowing a higher amount of content to be packed in a single drawer.
Second, as mentioned above, is portion size. Most people do not require 330ml servings. Due to risk of turbulence, leaving partially-filled cups or open cans sitting around is not advisable. Disposal capacity of liquid waste is limited to galleys only which slows down the clear-out process after services.
The wholesale cost of a 150ml can is about 70% that of a 330ml can, so this is not a direct cost-cutting measure, but rather an efficiency measure.
One is packaging. 150ml cans can be packed more densely in ATLAS standard drawers (although Emirates uses KSSU equipment, the same holds true) thus allowing a higher amount of content to be packed in a single drawer.
Second, as mentioned above, is portion size. Most people do not require 330ml servings. Due to risk of turbulence, leaving partially-filled cups or open cans sitting around is not advisable. Disposal capacity of liquid waste is limited to galleys only which slows down the clear-out process after services.
The wholesale cost of a 150ml can is about 70% that of a 330ml can, so this is not a direct cost-cutting measure, but rather an efficiency measure.
#6

Join Date: Aug 2008
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Posts: 972
The answer is two-fold.
One is packaging. 150ml cans can be packed more densely in ATLAS standard drawers (although Emirates uses KSSU equipment, the same holds true) thus allowing a higher amount of content to be packed in a single drawer.
Second, as mentioned above, is portion size. Most people do not require 330ml servings. Due to risk of turbulence, leaving partially-filled cups or open cans sitting around is not advisable. Disposal capacity of liquid waste is limited to galleys only which slows down the clear-out process after services.
The wholesale cost of a 150ml can is about 70% that of a 330ml can, so this is not a direct cost-cutting measure, but rather an efficiency measure.
One is packaging. 150ml cans can be packed more densely in ATLAS standard drawers (although Emirates uses KSSU equipment, the same holds true) thus allowing a higher amount of content to be packed in a single drawer.
Second, as mentioned above, is portion size. Most people do not require 330ml servings. Due to risk of turbulence, leaving partially-filled cups or open cans sitting around is not advisable. Disposal capacity of liquid waste is limited to galleys only which slows down the clear-out process after services.
The wholesale cost of a 150ml can is about 70% that of a 330ml can, so this is not a direct cost-cutting measure, but rather an efficiency measure.
2. You could indeed claim that it is a cost cutting measure. While the unit price per liter is higher for a small can, the total costs will decrease since it is expected that not all pax will order two can to compensate for having a smaller can (I am one of those who'd order two)
#7




Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
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1. Why would it be more efficient having more cans that have lower volume to store in a drawer. You can store more volume (i.e. (ml") by having less cans. Imagine, you had one big can in a drawer, yes, something like beer tap, you'd be def store more volume.
2. You could indeed claim that it is a cost cutting measure. While the unit price per liter is higher for a small can, the total costs will decrease since it is expected that not all pax will order two can to compensate for having a smaller can (I am one of those who'd order two)
2. You could indeed claim that it is a cost cutting measure. While the unit price per liter is higher for a small can, the total costs will decrease since it is expected that not all pax will order two can to compensate for having a smaller can (I am one of those who'd order two)
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Not getting the portion control argument - 150ml is pretty much just a gulp and when you consider that for up to 2-3 hours that is the only drink you are given it's not much. And again, the beer is 375ml (or 333ml)
There may be logistics reasons but I don't think a 333ml or 375ml can of soda is too much to ask for in terms of quantity for and average sized male.
There may be logistics reasons but I don't think a 333ml or 375ml can of soda is too much to ask for in terms of quantity for and average sized male.
#10

Join Date: Aug 2008
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No, if the entire drawer that has a volume of 100l would be theoretically a "can" (and this is an extreme example), you will get more liters inside, namely 100l..
#11


Join Date: May 2010
Location: BOM
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Not sure how it plays out in an actual aircraft trolley - how high are the actual drawers, can you stack two on top of each other etc....
#12


Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: NAP
Programs: LH, BA, TK
Posts: 2,410
Like the OP, I've always wondered why vast majoryty of airlines, nont only EK, serv small cans of soft drink.
Does storage theory not apply to beers?
I don't drink alcohol (I should start I know) thus I always pay attention to this weird policy.
375 ml bottles ok (heavier and larger than cans), 330 ml beer can ok, sometimes even wine.
Coca Cola? Grounded.
Swallow this fantastic meal with your abundant 150 ml.
Does storage theory not apply to beers?
I don't drink alcohol (I should start I know) thus I always pay attention to this weird policy.
375 ml bottles ok (heavier and larger than cans), 330 ml beer can ok, sometimes even wine.
Coca Cola? Grounded.
Swallow this fantastic meal with your abundant 150 ml.
#13



Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,419
Agree that for some people 150ml isn't enough. I don't think I could do 150ml every 2-3 hours. Most sources recommend 2L a day and imagine you are awake for 15hrs a day that means you should be taking around 270ml every 2 hours.
Personally this has never been a problem for me though, I ask for 2 and they always oblige. People have valid points about waste and turbulence etc. so it does make sense.. give 150ml to everyone and an extra can to those who feel like they need more.
Personally this has never been a problem for me though, I ask for 2 and they always oblige. People have valid points about waste and turbulence etc. so it does make sense.. give 150ml to everyone and an extra can to those who feel like they need more.
#15




Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: OSL
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I don't know about soft drinks but at least for water I do feel that one glass or one of the small cups isn't enough, and when in Y, I find myself making frequent refill trips to the galley. Having said that, the crew often give me two or three waters just to get rid of me.

