enzian

We will be flying through LHR on our way between Seattle and Munich in September, flying BA in CW/CE. I believe we stay in T5. I will have a number of £1 coins that I want to spend before they become obsolete in October. Since we are not stopping in the U.K. this trip, I must spend them at the airport. I figure a good use would be a bottle of wine. Can I buy this at the duty-free shop (or elsewhere?) after security and if so will I be allowed to carry it on the plane? ( I know we cannot open it).

I seem to recall something about spirits and wine being placed in sealed bags for transport on the plane. But I have never shopped for anything at the duty-free shops so do not know how it works.

Will I even be able to purchase from the duty-free shop since our next flight is within the EU? Are there regular wine shops in T5 as well? The LHR shopping directory only mentioned World Duty Free as a wine vendor.

bwaflyer

The World Duty Free store sells small bottle of wine and miniatures of spirits which are Duty Paid so you will be able to buy them when flying intra-EU. They won't be sealed up unless you ask (if you're finishing your journey in MUC then you won't be passing security again). You are more than welcome to drink them on your LHR-MUC flight (as long as you don't become intoxicated!!). I think I saw today as I was passing by, that they are currently running a 4 for the price of 3 offer. They also sell Duty Paid full size bottles as well (I think, I'm not a wine drinker). If you do end up with a few left over coins, we'd gratefully accept them as a Flying Start donation on board!!

shefgab

You can buy most wines and spirits etc on all flights, but some are only for nonEU. There's clear pricing, one blue one green for EU/nonEU. As well as in the World Duty Free there are specialist shops like Fortnum and Mason that probably sell wine, and even Starbucks.

You'll be asked for your boarding pass and if you have connections. No connection means no sealed bag necessary, but it might be done automatically. It's not a big deal if you're not connecting.

You can buy anywhere airside after security and once it's bought, it's yours you carry around. No delivery to plane.

Remember you can also exchange the coins for notes at a bureaux de change in the airport. Or change them for a few €/$.

enzian

Thanks---this is helpful. I would like a regular size bottle of wine for our time in Germany---we like a glass before heading out to dinner and this will mean we don't need to go in search of one after checking in to the hotel. I did not realize it was as easy as "buy and carry on the plane" but one can do that with water, so why not wine?

I will indeed donate any leftover coins to the Flying Start program----always do with small change, but previously have held on to the £1 coins for the next trip. I have noticed on the last two trips that the FA's do not come down the aisle to collect the donation envelopes---I always have to seek them out.

This is the first year in many that we are not spending time in London and elsewhere in the UK---but we always fly BA so at least will see London from the plane.