Obsession with alcohol on board
#121
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Funny...I thought this thread was going to be about the quality or type of alcohol on the plane. Which airlines have an utterly undrinkable wine list, which ones think warm Miller Lite is "beer", etc.
On one hand, I don't think booze will ever disappear from flights - mainly because the competitors that offer it would likely attract much more high-yield J/F traffic than the competitor without it. On the other hand, the airline industry has become much more cartel-like in many parts of the world, so I suppose they could all get together and stop offering it en masse.
Virgin would give 'em all the finger, of course.
On one hand, I don't think booze will ever disappear from flights - mainly because the competitors that offer it would likely attract much more high-yield J/F traffic than the competitor without it. On the other hand, the airline industry has become much more cartel-like in many parts of the world, so I suppose they could all get together and stop offering it en masse.
Virgin would give 'em all the finger, of course.
#122
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#123
Join Date: May 2014
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Funny...I thought this thread was going to be about the quality or type of alcohol on the plane. Which airlines have an utterly undrinkable wine list, which ones think warm Miller Lite is "beer", etc.
On one hand, I don't think booze will ever disappear from flights - mainly because the competitors that offer it would likely attract much more high-yield J/F traffic than the competitor without it. On the other hand, the airline industry has become much more cartel-like in many parts of the world, so I suppose they could all get together and stop offering it en masse.
Virgin would give 'em all the finger, of course.
On one hand, I don't think booze will ever disappear from flights - mainly because the competitors that offer it would likely attract much more high-yield J/F traffic than the competitor without it. On the other hand, the airline industry has become much more cartel-like in many parts of the world, so I suppose they could all get together and stop offering it en masse.
Virgin would give 'em all the finger, of course.
Perhaps they'd stop offering them on more captive routes, e.g. DFW - SCL.
#124
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I really can't understand why anyone would spend their time onboard monitoring and judging other people based on how much or what they choose to drink. As long passengers aren't being aggressive or rude, I really couldn't care less.
As long as I am not heading somewhere important upon landing, I do enjoy the odd drink, and see nothing wrong with having a few.
As long as I am not heading somewhere important upon landing, I do enjoy the odd drink, and see nothing wrong with having a few.
From the safety of their keyboard they come on websites to seek support for their viewpoint but lack the nerve to say anything directly to someone. Insecure, self-righteous and timid is no way to go through life. Better to have a few drinks now and again and MYOB.
#125
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I think you need to find another airline.
#126
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I hardly ever have a drink at home.
I have lounge access. Drinks are free. My international flights are for leisure. I will have a drink before, during and after the flight regardless of the time. I will usually drink Gin and tonic and/or Bloody Mary's on board and these are not my usual drinks but I do enjoy drinking them. Beer if my favourite but tends to bloat especially in the air.
I try not to overdo it.
I have lounge access. Drinks are free. My international flights are for leisure. I will have a drink before, during and after the flight regardless of the time. I will usually drink Gin and tonic and/or Bloody Mary's on board and these are not my usual drinks but I do enjoy drinking them. Beer if my favourite but tends to bloat especially in the air.
I try not to overdo it.
#128
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#129
Join Date: Sep 2009
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The OP may be exaggerating, but I get the feeling that alcohol is an important part of flying with BA for many FTers.
Thought experiment: imagine BA had removed all booze from lounges and aircraft for Lent, and was going to donate the money saved to Flying Start.
A good idea?
Thought experiment: imagine BA had removed all booze from lounges and aircraft for Lent, and was going to donate the money saved to Flying Start.
A good idea?
A better idea?
#130
Join Date: Sep 2009
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Many of those people you see in lounges are between stressful meetings, frantic rushes to the airport, frustrating queues with rude security staff and a stressful onward flight, probably won't get home til late.
A few drinks in the oasis of the lounge is one of those small pleasures that keeps the likes of us going, and the wheels of industry turning.
A few drinks in the oasis of the lounge is one of those small pleasures that keeps the likes of us going, and the wheels of industry turning.
#131
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#132
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Sometimes, you know, over-indulgence is justified, even necessary. Some years ago, for example, AA was imprudent enough to offer Chateau Lynch Bages 1995 in business class. No one but me, so far as I could tell, understood the true magnitude of our collective good fortune. So I drank it.
#133
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And what about flights where they charge for drinks in back, like ones to HNL? Those can be every bit as miserable if not more so than international ones, so maybe someone takes the "strip club" approach and tanks up in the parking lot because the drinks inside are too pricey (also done a lot before going to discos in places like Singapore)
I remember a series of flights I did back in 1996 on DL when I had just put together all the pieces for self-driven bookings (on easySABRE). On one trip it was ATL-CVG-MSP-SLC-LAS (3 day stop) -LAX-CVG-ATL and upgrades on every segment, then onward to tables with even more free drinks. A real potential liver-pickler if there ever was one.
#134
Join Date: Jan 2010
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I have to confess a weakness for free champagne. I once drank almost an entire bottle of Tattinger Millesime 2006 while waiting for a flight from Heathrow. I mean, its free, and once you get going on it, why would you stop? I just wish they still had caviar in First to complement the drinks.
#135
Join Date: Aug 2014
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The more alcohol you drink, the better value you get out of the premium paid to have the unlimited drinks. Just like at a casino, if you lose $50 and get 5-6 drinks it's not as bad as losing $50 and only having 1 drink.
(Any flier knows this, instinctively. The best value flight is not the priciest flight. Quite the opposite, often.)
In my case, if I drank 5-6 drinks during a flight, I'd likely feel completely miserable the next day. Very poor value proposition over the 1-2 drinks, which would make me feel good and relaxed during the flight.