Pre-departure beverage / PDB - experiences, questions, complaints (2024-onwards)
Dec 13, 2025 | 10:23 am
#571
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: LGA, JFK, LAX, SFO
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 314
12/7 - LGA-BOS AA #4783 - E175 - No PDB
12/7 - BOS-LAX AA #2473 - A321T - F - Full PDB by one of the best FAs I’ve ever had the pleasure of flying with.
12/12 - LAX-JFK AA #2 - A321T - F - Full PDB in glassware.
12/7 - BOS-LAX AA #2473 - A321T - F - Full PDB by one of the best FAs I’ve ever had the pleasure of flying with.
12/12 - LAX-JFK AA #2 - A321T - F - Full PDB in glassware.
Dec 14, 2025 | 7:37 am
#572
Join Date: Jun 2025
Location: TPA
Programs: LT Marriott Plat. Low LP EXPlat
Posts: 150
12/14 #2920 ORD -TPA
zero service .. young FA tried to look busy she hid up front until after the door closed.
no reason we did not get it. Never greeted anyone either.
then with a gate delay finally came around with water and juice.
I asked for a Diet Coke no ice and she said hold on she would have to make it lol
zero service .. young FA tried to look busy she hid up front until after the door closed.
no reason we did not get it. Never greeted anyone either.
then with a gate delay finally came around with water and juice.
I asked for a Diet Coke no ice and she said hold on she would have to make it lol
Dec 15, 2025 | 12:09 pm
#573
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,016
3474 12/14 4:46 departure - excellent FA made clear it was full PDB in his cabin. Goes without saying that the good service continued in the air. Guy even made handwritten thank-you notes for everyone in the cabin (nb: not every elite - everyone). JWD certs given and compliment sent in to corporate the moment I disembarked.
1120 12/14 8p departure - open bar PDB, great FA.
Overall, great day of flying.
1120 12/14 8p departure - open bar PDB, great FA.
Overall, great day of flying.
Dec 18, 2025 | 8:34 am
#575
Fontaine d'honneur du Flyertalk
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Morbihan, France
Programs: Reine des Muccis de Pucci; Foreign Elitist (according to others)
Posts: 20,673
Fake News! SInce there are those on FT who clearly think that I would be more suited to a broom than a Galley, and old enough to have served Mr Wright - I am here to tell you that Mr Wright (as opposed to Mr Right to whom I eventually capitulated and married) was not permitted a PFB a he was flying, and I was not allowed to serve hard liquor as I was under-age. - anyhow back to Business
PHX - HNL AA 693
Tray proffered with water, orange juice and "Bubbles" I asked if it was possible to have a Gin and Tonic and I got it! (The Bubbles on Domestic can be dire)
PHX - HNL AA 693
Tray proffered with water, orange juice and "Bubbles" I asked if it was possible to have a Gin and Tonic and I got it! (The Bubbles on Domestic can be dire)
Dec 18, 2025 | 6:05 pm
#576
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,016
1979 12.18.25 11:16 departure - full PDB, terrific service in-air. JWD cert given (as did my seatmate).
6481 12.18.25 15:37 departure - no PDB. Poor and disengaged service in-air.
6481 12.18.25 15:37 departure - no PDB. Poor and disengaged service in-air.
Dec 19, 2025 | 5:16 am
#577
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, 2V, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 6,114
4409 (operated by Republic) 12/19/2025 6:54AM departure - only water offered. We pushed back and departed early. No service inflight due to a bumpy ride expected.
EDIT: Yeah the ride was pretty bumpy!
EDIT: Yeah the ride was pretty bumpy!
Last edited by diburning; Dec 19, 2025 at 6:04 pm
Dec 19, 2025 | 1:25 pm
#579
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA PP, DL PLT, Bonvoy LT Titanium, HH LT Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 13,363
Dec 14th AA3444 Full Bar on the ground, and multiple drinks en route, but the snack basket has gone MIA. E-170
Dec 18th AA 2843 Full Bar on the ground, and Multiple drinks en route again. A319
Last flights of the year.
Dec 18th AA 2843 Full Bar on the ground, and Multiple drinks en route again. A319
Last flights of the year.
Dec 19, 2025 | 7:16 pm
#581
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: NYC, SEA
Programs: Hyatt Glob, AA EXP, BA Silver
Posts: 1,016
at this point, my flights either end in a JWD cert (usually coupled with a compliment via the website) or send I send in a complaint -- exclusively determined by PDB service (and excepting the rare occasions where there are *verifiable* departure/catering delays requiring the service neglect).
Dec 20, 2025 | 12:09 am
#583
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL, UA, AA, B6, 2V, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt
Posts: 6,114
12/19 AA4525 operated by Republic JFK-BOS No PDB but we were very delayed due to weather and the crew was trying their best to get the door closed and the plane pushed back as quickly as possible, Unfortunately, ATC ended up holding us until the top of the hour. Full bar was served once we were in the air for this very short 40 minute flight.
Dec 21, 2025 | 12:21 pm
#585
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,284
12/18 RSW-CLT PDB offered immediately upon boarding from the FA greeting pax in the galley. Open bar. Later on got a refill, a minute later we began descent and FA offered a plastic cup to pour my drink into. 
12/19 CLT-CLE PDB offered with FA navigating the mix of pax boarding. Open bar "anything you want"
Would love if UA could figure out how to do a timely and proper full PDB service...
12/19 CLT-CLE PDB offered with FA navigating the mix of pax boarding. Open bar "anything you want"
Would love if UA could figure out how to do a timely and proper full PDB service...
