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No free alcohol in economy on transatlantic flights?!

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No free alcohol in economy on transatlantic flights?!

 
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Old Aug 24, 2011, 9:40 pm
  #16  
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Originally Posted by rareair
As many of us do I collect just about all the points I can, and at my UK casino the same amount of points that gets a Ł5 ($8) comp on food can be redeemed on a nice steel 4oz hip flask - coincidentally the upper TSA size limit
Incorrect, a 4oz hip flask is beyond the limit you can bring through a TSA checkpoint. The limit is 3.4 oz (or 100ml), and I suspect many a TSA agent will know the difference.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 7:34 am
  #17  
 
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Originally Posted by SPatrick83
One of the more practical things I learned in college is that if you know you're flying in coach on a U.S. airline that those mini-liquor bottles go through TSA just fine (just be sure to spread them throughout your carry-on!
Also, it's a good idea to buy the liquor that they serve... ie: Skyy on Delta!
Just sayin!
Originally Posted by rareair
As many of us do I collect just about all the points I can, and at my UK casino the same amount of points that gets a Ł5 ($8) comp on food can be redeemed on a nice steel 4oz hip flask - coincidentally the upper TSA size limit

a couple of those in my rezippable plastic bag and I'll buy my toothpaste at the other end thank you!
For those who care, it is my understanding that it is against FAA regulation to consume alcohol onboard that is not served by the FA.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 8:43 am
  #18  
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Originally Posted by CAPT Tee
For those who care, it is my understanding that it is against FAA regulation to consume alcohol onboard that is not served by the FA.
Absolutely true. I think we all know that though.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 8:54 am
  #19  
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Originally Posted by CAPT Tee
For those who care, it is my understanding that it is against FAA regulation to consume alcohol onboard that is not served by the FA.
That's never stopped FTers

One of the more imaginative ways I saw was some FTers bought the small travel-sized Listerine mouthwash bottles, emptied them, rinsed them out, & then filled them with rum or scotch. Went in their quart baggie.

Cheers.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 9:41 am
  #20  
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Originally Posted by DL757ATL
I know DL doesn't charge for drinks on both transatlantic and transpacific flights. I think (but don't quote me on this) that AA doesn't charge for drinks either, but I could be wrong. Also, does UA still give out free booze on transpac flights?
DL757ATL
AA charges for drinks TATL in Y, and only 1 comped drink for EXP. No drink chits for EXPs either.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 9:59 am
  #21  
 
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Originally Posted by CAPT Tee
For those who care, it is my understanding that it is against FAA regulation to consume alcohol onboard that is not served by the FA.
So could you ask the FA to serve you from your personal stash?
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 10:02 am
  #22  
 
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it's also against regulations to take pictures and/or video while a plane is taking off/landing, yet people still do that.

not the end of the world if you sneak a few airplane bottles on the plane. i've never done it...well, come to think of it. flying IAD-LHR a few years back and a friend of mine bought me a fifth of glennfiddich (sp?). popped it open in flight and had a few glasses. FA didn't say a thing.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 11:40 am
  #23  
 
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Originally Posted by flg8rmatt
So could you ask the FA to serve you from your personal stash?
I have read people have done it. Some FA did serve it, but some didn't.

Originally Posted by haddon90
it's also against regulations to take pictures and/or video while a plane is taking off/landing, yet people still do that.

not the end of the world if you sneak a few airplane bottles on the plane. i've never done it...well, come to think of it. flying IAD-LHR a few years back and a friend of mine bought me a fifth of glennfiddich (sp?). popped it open in flight and had a few glasses. FA didn't say a thing.
I know I know, that's why I started my post with "For those who care".

Last edited by iluv2fly; Aug 26, 2011 at 6:27 am Reason: merge
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 12:02 pm
  #24  
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Originally Posted by CAPT Tee
I have read people have done it. Some FA did serve it, but some didn't.
It's probably against company policy. Imagine the liability.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 12:30 pm
  #25  
 
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Back in the days when I was still regularly flying Y on UA and LH TATL, I had a couple experiences where I had purchased a bottle of vodka in the duty free only to be told by an FA on board that I was not allowed to open the bottle. Consumption of your own alcohol is/was prohibited as far as I could tell.

So another time I effectively hit the bottle in the bag and just kept asking for cups of ice. After the second request, the FA gave me a funny look and had the nerve to ask - why. I told her chewing ice helped with my headache. Not entirely false, as I would probably have a headache as part of a hangover soon thereafter!
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 2:22 pm
  #26  
 
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To the OPs question, I have had mixed experiences in Y for TATL flights. I had let my 1K lapse last year so I did 5 RTs in Y LAX-LHR and generally was only charged for post-dinner drinks once. I even had my drink chits ready and the FA just refused them. I should note that I was really only asking for a third glass of wine post-dinner. I would sleep the balance of those flights.

This entire year I've been up front (or more accurately in the middle) in C so it sounds like they're getting more strict on charging. I'll be honest, the few times I end up in Y on domestic routes the FAs tend to give me a "refresher" for free (refuse my chits). I'm on a lot of red-eyes ex-LAX which might have something to do with it. I always thought it was one of the nicer things they can do. It's not like UA is really out a whole lot here as I always end the year with unused drink chits (don't know many 1Ks who actually manage to go through them all).
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 3:59 pm
  #27  
 
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Maybe I am lucky, but drinks have been free on several of my transatlantic and transpacific flights. It isn't announced, but I offer up my coupons and the FA says not to worry about it.
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Old Aug 25, 2011, 4:22 pm
  #28  
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Originally Posted by flg8rmatt
So could you ask the FA to serve you from your personal stash?
Technically, yes. AA and B6 used to have a BYOB program when you were allowed to bring full size bottle onboard. UA didn't allow it though.

Originally Posted by omegadeal
Maybe I am lucky, but drinks have been free on several of my transatlantic and transpacific flights. It isn't announced, but I offer up my coupons and the FA says not to worry about it.
There's no charge for alcohol for TPAC flights.
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Old Aug 26, 2011, 9:51 am
  #29  
 
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A couple of years ago I was in C on SAS. They announced for passengers in Y, they served 1 pre-meal drink and 1 wine/beer with drink for free. There was a charge for all other alcoholic beverages. Flying Y on LH about 5 years ago MUC-SFO, I was offered one cocktail, afterward only beer and wine was free and there was a charge for cocktails. LH may have changed since then.

The ex flies for BA and indicates that while there is still free cocktails on BA but you have to go to the galley to request them after the first service. This is a way of controlling folks sitting in their seats and getting drunk by having 10-12 drinks on a flight.
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