Heavy drinking on flights
 

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

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.

Not a value judgment, just curious what people's take are on the drinking part. Is to calm nerves? Part of the inherent culture/experience of flying?

If I manage to score an upgrade on a long domestic flight I'll often drink three or four beers (while watching a movie or two) as we cross the continent.

I think for me it comes down to the fact that with two little kids and a very busy life I wouldn't get any other chance to do this sort of thing.

It's not like I can sit in my armchair at home for four hours, watching movies and drinking beer, so I take advantage of it when I'm flying.

If I'm in economy, forget it. The beers are either $6 - $8 each, or, if free, you can't ever get the surly FAs to stop by with a refill.

What else is there to do? Drinking makes everything more betterer.

I don't drink 'heavily' on flights (maximum 3 drinks), but drinking does help me relax after the somewhat stressful airport experience. As for heavily drinking - I don't know - because it is free?

You will start drinking as soon as you see who you have to travel with! :P

As for me I am with gglave, relaxing with a few beer/drinks away from home is nice. Maybe it's a Canadian thing?

I think there are a few factors at play:
* If alcoholic beverages are "free," then the passenger is getting something with a known value, and may see this as essentially discounting the cost of his or her airfare. (I put "free" in quotes, because, of course, you're paying for the beverage in the cost of your ticket.)

* Many people do get stressed while flying and alcohol calms their nerves.

* Many people drink to unwind once they're done working, have put the kids to bed, etc. Time spent flying is down time, and they're having a drink just as they would if they were at home.

* For some, a plane trip is a celebratory occasion, and as with many kinds of celebrations, it's commemorated with a drink.

If these drinkers were Finnish males, then this is perfectly normal (for them!). Never, ever, try to out-drink a Finn.

Also if traveling int'l F, you can sample different fine wines / champagnes. 30 minutes to landing and you want some Krug, the crew will be happy to pop open a new bottle for you even if you only take a few sips. At home would you open a $150 bottle of champagne knowing you'd only have one glass and toss the rest?

When DL carried Glenlivet single malt, there was nothing better to me (when I scored an upgrade) than settling into my favorite FC seat and relaxing with a few drinks when I knew my wife was picking me up at the airport when I arrived. A PDB, then another double or two, then dinner, then a few hours of sleep onboard. Of course now that they don't carry Glenlivet anymore I'll have to make do with something else, but those were some enjoyable flights!

As a Finn, I was about to make this exact comment but you beat me to it! To the OP: I enjoy having a number of drinks in almost any circumstance, outside of work, when I'm on the ground. So I just keep with my usual consumption levels when in the air. I'll drink water, too, and haven't really ever felt a dehydration issue.

This fellow had you beat. He was working away on his laptop the entire time as well :D

Correction: He was USING his laptop. :D

Speaking for myself, I enjoy having a couple drinks on a plane - I'm usually flying for fun these days, so drinking on a plane is kind of acknowledging that I'm on vacation or going somewhere fun.

When I traveled for work, it was a calmative after a week of long hours and being away from home.

I've found that, in general, the farther north and east one goes in Europe, the less advisable it is to try to outdrink the population. :)

There are 3 major reasons:
- it is free
- you have time
- your wife isn't watching you ;)

A few drinks help me relax. As long as they aren't beer. Beer + pressure change = gas + stomach discomfort.

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!)

:):):)

I rarely drink on the ground or in steerage. When up front I'll have 2 or 5.

No I why.

In J or F, I enjoy trying wine that I would generally not buy for myself. As premium travel is a nice treat, I like the celebration aspect of the flight.

It also helps me sleep. While J/F seats are amazing compared to Y, I still don't sleep as well as I do at home. A few drinks makes it easier to fall and stay asleep.

-1

+1

;)

Yes Please!

(Oh...was there something to discuss?)

"Free goods are always over consumed." - Lord Robbins

When I hold an event with "open bar" i.e. free, consumption is 3x that of a "cash bar."

I didn't say "you haven't FELT heavy drinking, I said you haven't SEEN heavy drinking." :D

Heavy drinking on flights
 

I just feel it's no a very good idea to get drunk and realise it's dehydrating your body. one would sur3ly feel pukish out of heavu drinking eventually.. isn't it? has anyone encountered a follow passenger binge drinking and eventually vomiting in the flight? mine was terrible an experience...

Depending on my energy level and type of work, I can sometimes be very productive doing actual work whilst enjoying "free" beverages mid-flight.

If they are free, I drink heavily. Because why not. I've stood glassy eyed at customs in Frankfurt at 8am and it just makes the process easier.

Jack and Cokes in Y (with ebay purchased drink vouchers of course for UA) or if i'm in C or better whatever special wine or liquors they have available.

It helps get through of some of the awful IFE movies as well.

I used to drink regularly or heavily (if one believes the medical profession's definition of heavy drinking!) regardless of whether it was directly out of my own pocket in a bar/from a supermarket or "free" in an airline lounge/in a hotel club lounge/on a plane.

I stopped completely one month ago as my travel schedule intensified greatly this year and I find I just cannot honestly operate nearly as well on frequent zone/country/culture changes when the body is also recovering from alcohol. I used to hold the view oft-expressed by some here that it helps as an anesthetic and a brain number but now feel quite differently as I am more alert on arrival in a new locale.

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 do think it off when some, obviously unaccustomed to drinking in their day-to-day lives, over indulge and become obnoxious on long haul flights. Had to endure a giant of a man who demolished rather too much champagne lying with his filthy bare feet (yes he was that tall) on the back of the Club World seat in front of him all the way back from LAX last month. Rather spoiled the atmosphere on the upper deck but apparently BA do not see fit to dictate minimum standards...