Paper cups in short-haul Business
Aug 28, 23, 5:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Milano-London
Programs: ITA Executive
Posts: 161
Paper cups in short-haul Business
It's been a while (maybe a year) since I flew ITA between Milan and London in Business. Last night I scored an unsolicited and unexpected upgrade at the gate due to a full AZ248. (The lady manning the gate desk didn't even use the "u" word, she just said -in Italian- that I'd been assigned a new seat...luckily I knew where 3D would be!)
Anyway, so I didn't have to buy dinner on arrival, which was a bonus, and on top of that I managed a couple of glasses of some delicious Aglianico. Except they weren't glasses, they were paper cups. Let's say it somewhat spoiled the effect! Does anyone know I was just unlucky, or is this now standard? The meal itself was great, so was the wine, but this way of presenting it really felt like the antithesis of elegance and luxury!
Anyway, so I didn't have to buy dinner on arrival, which was a bonus, and on top of that I managed a couple of glasses of some delicious Aglianico. Except they weren't glasses, they were paper cups. Let's say it somewhat spoiled the effect! Does anyone know I was just unlucky, or is this now standard? The meal itself was great, so was the wine, but this way of presenting it really felt like the antithesis of elegance and luxury!
Sep 30, 23, 4:10 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,650
Did everyone else get their wine in paper cups or just you? Wondering if the crew knew you were un upgrade and wanted a way to let you know they knew 
. Unlikely, but sometimes I feel when I've had an upgrade or even when I've used points to fly, crews treat me differently. Probably my paranoia!
. Unlikely, but sometimes I feel when I've had an upgrade or even when I've used points to fly, crews treat me differently. Probably my paranoia!
Oct 2, 23, 12:24 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: TRS & SFO, sometimes BRU & NYC
Programs: DL DM; AFKL FBE; ITA Exec
Posts: 187
ITA only uses paper cups on C/J throughout short to medium haul. Since their founding (i.e. the ennesimo reconstitution of AZ, albeit as a new entity) I have done 40-50 trips in short haul biz and only seen paper cups. It is annoying, but honestly, from an environmental prospective it makes sense if they aren't to use real glass. At least you had a good aglianico - beato sei tu, as I've endured too many bad prosecco offerings to count. This stated, the food offerings seem to have been marginally better (speaking from recent FCO-ATH/LHR/CDG and returns)
Oct 19, 23, 6:11 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 23
Same here (20-30 flights with ITA) Find it very bad to have prosecco or wine served in papercups. If it is really for environmental issues then there are more substantial savings which could be done from ITA. (IMHO) However I have almost stopped to drink white wine (often not loaded) or Prosseco. Prosecco is almost always warm. It seems to me neglect by the crews. Soft drinks or sometimes even the red wine is cold or cooled. Small details make the difference. (for me)
