I agree with all three.

As it pertains to the first reason, I was surprised to hear my mother say she drank "a couple" Baileys on a recent flight. She very rarely drinks in her regular life.

I fall into the last two categories.

I don't normally pay attention to other's drinking but on a recent flight, I was sort of shocked that the man behind me drank three bloody Mary's while we were at the gate prior to push back. This was at 6:30 in the morning.

Lucky he! On my last United flight, there were no pre-departure drinks at all :(

I've been in that postion as well (his, not your's). For me it was 19:00 body time and I had a 3 hour flight to get home and from a TPAC. Sure, you get some looks, but what matters is that you do what you want within reason.

Ahhh... the magic of air travel!

You haven't seen heavy drinking unless you've been on a Russian charter flight to Egypt or Turkey.

The passengers as well?

Why people might drink
 

I have not done seriously heavy drinking on a plane because the idea of having to puke in one of those airsick bags or the lavatory does not appeal at all.

However any number of reason why one would drink come to mind.

My favorite is: "To keep you from putting little Billy, who has continuously kicked your seat for the past 4 hours, in the overhead bin."

I think having a ood drink in the 'lounge' area of some aircraft (think an Emirates A380) would be something quite special, especially if you're with good friends!

Back in my college days I spent a week in Japan. My very first night in Tokyo I was in the common area at a hostel when this Finnish girl asked if anyone wanted to go to a shabu-shabu place. I had no idea what it was.

(For those who don't know, it's essentially a hot pot restaurant)

In Japan, these often include all-you-can-drink packages. Six of us went, led by this Finnish girl. Two Danes, a Frenchman, a German and one American (me!).

90 minutes and God-only-knows how many beers and sakes later, we stumble on back. Literally had to carry one of the Dutch guys. The Finn? Outdrank us all by at least double but you couldn't even tell.

(Thus ends your regional stereotyping of the day)

I don't know what counts as "heavy drinking" on a flight, but I am a drinker. And when I am in a position to get "free" drinks, I take advantage. I mean, really, that's one of the main tangible benefits on domestic F. Free booze. For long haul international, the choices of "free" booze can be pretty damn good. People have already mentioned top shelf champagnes and things that they may not otherwise ever order or buy on the ground. And if you are buying a coach ticket and upgrading with SWU/eVIP or something, then it gets closer to free. Also, same goes if you get the seat with miles.

But I rarely drink in coach. Usually, because I don't want to pay for a drink. (though as EXP on American, they would give me a free drink when I was back in Y)

I drink heavily all the time, not just when I fly.

LOL :D

I always try to drink more than the airfare cost me. ;)

Hard in every class :D

Heavy drinking on flights
 

Almost all my travel is long-haul and often overnight. I need to sleep as much as possible on overnight flights and a combination of Advil PM and about 3 drinks gives me a restful sleep. On a 7-hour flight from NY to Europe, I can sleep 6 hours and hit the ground running.

The maximum I have ever had to drink on a flight is one beer, that is normally enough to make me sleep in economy being already tired from the trip.

With friends it is a different story! I could imagine taking a long haul flight with free booze, and it could potentially lead to chaos! Especially for the younger generation (and the finns!)

:):):)