Heavy drinking on flights

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Dec 28, 2013 | 7:08 pm

#91

fastflyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by GRALISTAIR

Recently in BE I had a PDB in MCI, two mid flight and then 2 in the ATL Skyclub. I then had a glass of Champagne as my TATL PDB, then 1 Woodford and 3 different wines. I finished off with a glass of Port with the cheese. I suppose that is classed as fairly heavy drinking,

When you count each glass of airline wine as a half-glass of bartender wine, you drank 6 normal drinks total (over the course of five hours+). I would not count that as heavy drinking, but maybe as a tipsy evening.

When I lived in Moscow, at the bigger, fancier dinner parties, we would normally quaff 10 bartender-portion drinks over a six hour period. They also liked to include vodka shots during daytime meetings, so what can I say about Russians.

Dec 29, 2013 | 9:06 am

#92

EuropeanPete

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I had about $700 of champagne at retail value on JAL the other day, but as it was a couple bottles of Salon at $300+ each over a 12 hour period I wasn't at all drunk.

...Which slightly confused the Senior Cabin Attendant, I think.

Dec 29, 2013 | 12:45 pm

#93

broadwayblue

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JVPhoto

I've woken up with some pretty nasty hangovers...during the flight.

Yup, and for that reason I rarely drink more than 1 or 2 on flights these days. Just not worth it for me. For those who can take down six jack and cokes or two bottles of champagne and be no worse for the wear, I tip my hat to you.

Apr 26, 2015 | 8:13 pm

#94

KMC513

Join Date: Mar 2015

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Drinking on planes/In-flight drunkenness

I'm interested in hearing tales about drinking on planes or drunkenness on planes for a story I'm working on. Personal experience, something you witnessed (or tweeted about) anything goes!

(Also: I'll only be publishing with direct permission.)

Apr 26, 2015 | 9:46 pm

#95

Tchiowa

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Quote:

Originally Posted by OskiBear

I'm just curious, as I drink very little and almost never when I fly.

Why is drinking such a part of the flying culture?

It's not. Yes, there are some who drink. But at the same time there are some who say that they can't enjoy vacation/sports/meals/whatever without a drink.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OskiBear

I see that it's often discussed here on FT and there's unhappiness when it's not comped, etc.

Some, yes. But I'd call them a minority.

Quote:

Originally Posted by OskiBear

Earlier this week, on a 9.5 hour flight from HEL-JFK, the fellow across the aisle from me had non-stop drinks from the time we boarded until we landed. Many bottles of vodka, beeer, etc.

I always thought one was supposed to stay hydrated on a flight and alcohol is a diuretic, no? Just seems a bit contradictory since FT'ers are expert flyers who do what they can to stay comfortable and in good condition on long flights.

That's right. Any expert will tell you that drinking on a plane is not a good idea. In addition, while many on FT are "expert flyers", many are not. Some fly occasionally and just enjoy the conversations around travel. Some fly a whole lot of short flights. Some fly less often but long haul. Each has a different area of "expertise".

Apr 27, 2015 | 3:37 am

#96

LondonElite

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Elevate

Now I just wish airlines would introduce a non-alcoholic J class fare so that I my reduce my travel costs by not having to subsidise the copious champagne/whisky intake of some fellow passengers!

I know you mean that in jest, but you could try flying Saudia or Kuwait Airways!

Apr 27, 2015 | 4:41 am

#97

Annalisa12

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I'm a non drinker and I get a small raised eyebrow when I say I don't want champers or spirits and am just happy with a lemonade.

Apr 27, 2015 | 9:30 am

#98

gglave

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Maybe it's because I exclusively fly in economy, but I don't understand how someone on a North American carrier could get drunk on a flight. Even on a 4+ hour flight the drinks cart comes around every two or three hours. I suppose you could keep pushing the call button for alcohol but on North American carriers (leisure charters and WestJet excepted) the FAs will snap at you and remind you that they are only there 'for your safety.'

When / where are people getting all this booze? Or is this a J-class thing...?

Last edited by gglave; Apr 27, 2015 at 2:07 pm

Apr 27, 2015 | 12:15 pm

#99

pinniped

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Annalisa12

I'm a non drinker and I get a small raised eyebrow when I say I don't want champers or spirits and am just happy with a lemonade.

As well you should for calling it "champers".

Quote:

Originally Posted by gglave

When / where are people getting all this booze? Or is this a J-class thing...?

Definitely a J/F thing. It's hard to get much drink in Y. In domestic F, it can be difficult as well...even those FA's will often do a disappearing act.

Exception might (ironically) be Southwest. Their FA's seem to be more present throughout the flight and often in a better mood. Not that I've ever run up a big tab on Southwest, but I've certainly had 2-3 hour flights where they've happily served a couple rounds.