Beer at Schiphol Airport Duty Free?
Nov 12, 2017, 5:03 am
#16
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
The operator certainly has strong incentives not to grant shops the right to sell beverages (particularly, cold and hot beverages) on the cheap, as it would cannibalize the revenue it generates from restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops.
Nov 13, 2017, 1:41 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Malaga, Spain
Posts: 1,077
That's not the way I would think about it. Stores have a contract with the airport's operator. That contract specifies which goods the store may and may not sell.
The operator certainly has strong incentives not to grant shops the right to sell beverages (particularly, cold and hot beverages) on the cheap, as it would cannibalize the revenue it generates from restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops.
The operator certainly has strong incentives not to grant shops the right to sell beverages (particularly, cold and hot beverages) on the cheap, as it would cannibalize the revenue it generates from restaurants, pubs, and coffee shops.
Duty-free shops sell goods in sealed bags not to be opened until boarded. Bars sell booze to consume in the airport and cannot be taken on board. They are usually subject to local taxes or will reflect the cost of service.
Where's the conflict?
Nov 13, 2017, 2:22 am
#18
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
Come on, man, you're from the UK, where I frequently see people drinking at airports as early as 6 o'clock in the morning. 
It seems to me many craft beers are stored cold. (At least here, the grocery stores always seem to keep them in refrigerators.) If, at the duty free, they sold that beer substantially cheaper than at pubs, obviously people would open the bags and drink it...
I know at some places, you only get your duty-free items upon boarding. If that's the case, my point would be moot, sure.
It seems to me many craft beers are stored cold. (At least here, the grocery stores always seem to keep them in refrigerators.) If, at the duty free, they sold that beer substantially cheaper than at pubs, obviously people would open the bags and drink it...
I know at some places, you only get your duty-free items upon boarding. If that's the case, my point would be moot, sure.
Nov 13, 2017, 6:54 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 233
I'm certainly not looking to crack open a couple of six packs on the flight (or in the airport) and get drunk. It's just difficult to find some of the better beers from Belgium in the states and when you do, its for $8 a bottle.
Going out to land-side really isn't an option for me, so I'll make do.
Going out to land-side really isn't an option for me, so I'll make do.
Nov 13, 2017, 6:57 am
#20
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 78
A bit off-topic, but that's the norm for mixed domestic/international terminals. Duty free stores have a mandate to ensure all duty free purchases do in fact leave the country rather than changing hands between an international and a domestic passenger.
Nov 13, 2017, 7:24 am
#22
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
This is obviously not enforced in any way, it is only ever relevant if you need to transit at an airport and pass a security check, there is nothing stopping you from opening it up and drinking the content before you even board your first flight!
Nov 13, 2017, 7:50 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 78
World of Duty Free at LHR chose to still show two separate prices, one for EU passengers and the other for international passengers.
Nov 13, 2017, 7:56 am
#24
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 78
10+ years ago I was on a Delta flight from JFK to OTP and by the middle of the flight a significant number of passengers started to pop open their duty free stashes. The crew showed zero tolerance and had everyone put their purchases back in the overheads. Two passengers who refused to do it were in fact arrested on arrival.
Same scenario happened on an Alitalia from YYZ to FCO and the crew's reaction was the complete opposite. They joined in the party and shared a couple of drinks with the passengers.
Nov 13, 2017, 8:15 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: CPT,AMS
Posts: 4,412
The fact that they're not or are selectively enforced doesn't mean the rules are not there.
10+ years ago I was on a Delta flight from JFK to OTP and by the middle of the flight a significant number of passengers started to pop open their duty free stashes. The crew showed zero tolerance and had everyone put their purchases back in the overheads. Two passengers who refused to do it were in fact arrested on arrival.
Same scenario happened on an Alitalia from YYZ to FCO and the crew's reaction was the complete opposite. They joined in the party and shared a couple of drinks with the passengers.
10+ years ago I was on a Delta flight from JFK to OTP and by the middle of the flight a significant number of passengers started to pop open their duty free stashes. The crew showed zero tolerance and had everyone put their purchases back in the overheads. Two passengers who refused to do it were in fact arrested on arrival.
Same scenario happened on an Alitalia from YYZ to FCO and the crew's reaction was the complete opposite. They joined in the party and shared a couple of drinks with the passengers.
Each airline might have different regulations and each cabin crew might have different tolerance to PAX consuming their own alcoholic drinks on board, and this is irrelevant for the discussion about PAX drinking a beer bought in the duty-free shop in the airport terminal before boarding their flight.