No free alcohol in economy on transatlantic flights?!
May 28, 2011, 11:01 pm
#1
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No free alcohol in economy on transatlantic flights?!
I'm sure the old-timers here will tell me this is nothing new, but this is the first time I've flown international eastward as opposed to westward since 2008.
Just flew from SFO to LHR on UA0956 in E+, and after the first drink (wine with dinner), the flight attendant whipped out the credit card machine and wanted to charge for a bottle of Baileys. I was shocked, and she reported that alcohol's been charged for on transatlatic routes for several years now...
Just flew from SFO to LHR on UA0956 in E+, and after the first drink (wine with dinner), the flight attendant whipped out the credit card machine and wanted to charge for a bottle of Baileys. I was shocked, and she reported that alcohol's been charged for on transatlatic routes for several years now...
May 28, 2011, 11:14 pm
#2
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You forgot your free drink chits 
???
???
May 28, 2011, 11:16 pm
#3
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Yup, UA and most US carriers have charged for booze in the back across the Atlantic for years now. IIRC this is true for most overseas routes except on certain Pacific routes where the competition is greater and returns from seat revenue higher. This is when those 1K drink vouchers come in handy.
May 28, 2011, 11:17 pm
#4
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just a few of the threads on the difference between the TATL & TPAC alcohol policy
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...l-flights.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-routings.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...es-liquor.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...rnational.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...s-pacific.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...l-flights.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...-routings.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...es-liquor.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...rnational.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...s-pacific.html
May 29, 2011, 10:14 am
#5
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Yup, UA and most US carriers have charged for booze in the back across the Atlantic for years now. IIRC this is true for most overseas routes except on certain Pacific routes where the competition is greater and returns from seat revenue higher. This is when those 1K drink vouchers come in handy.
DL757ATL
Jun 15, 2011, 1:20 pm
#6
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Do you really pay for booze in Y?
I take probably a dozen to 15 transatlantic trips a year. The majority of those are in C/J on BA or AC, where there is an open bar on international flights, but even in Y there is no charge. It has been a few years since I have been on an international UA or CO flight, and the most recent of these have been in C.
I recall that several years ago, when I did do a few Y trips on UA the booze was free, and I recall getting quite jolly with a very attractive seat neighbour on the (now-defunct) UA LHR-JFK flight. Our empties were lined up like toy soldiers by the end of the flight.
I see now that they are charging for drinks in Y, but does really apply? On a recent outbound LHR-IAD I asked for a bloody mary and was told that the vodka is $7. I declined. On the return flight, I asked again and the FA told me she didn't want my money, gave me a
and told me she didn't know how to work the machine.
So here's my question: do you actually pay for alcohol in Y on UA or CO?
I recall that several years ago, when I did do a few Y trips on UA the booze was free, and I recall getting quite jolly with a very attractive seat neighbour on the (now-defunct) UA LHR-JFK flight. Our empties were lined up like toy soldiers by the end of the flight.
I see now that they are charging for drinks in Y, but does really apply? On a recent outbound LHR-IAD I asked for a bloody mary and was told that the vodka is $7. I declined. On the return flight, I asked again and the FA told me she didn't want my money, gave me a
and told me she didn't know how to work the machine.So here's my question: do you actually pay for alcohol in Y on UA or CO?
Last edited by LondonElite; Jun 15, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Jun 15, 2011, 1:22 pm
#7
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AFAIK "officially"
On UAL, TATL, you get one glass of wine free in Y with /before dinner: mixed drinks or more wine cost $$
Last edited by squeakr; Jun 15, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Jun 15, 2011, 1:27 pm
#8
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On UA in International Economy
but believe one wine drink is provided with the meal TATL
Alcoholic beverages are complimentary on flights within Asia and on international trans-Pacific flights, and they are available for purchase on all other international flights.
Jun 15, 2011, 1:31 pm
#9
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There are discounts available on CO using a CO-branded credit card - not sure if there is an equivalent system on UA.
Jun 15, 2011, 2:49 pm
#10
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Last year they often provided one wine with the food. This year they have stopped even that, so I have just finished last year's vouchers.
Fortunately UA fares are still lower than BA's, otherwise I cannot think of any good reason for a GM to fly them TATL.
Fortunately UA fares are still lower than BA's, otherwise I cannot think of any good reason for a GM to fly them TATL.
Jun 15, 2011, 2:56 pm
#11
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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!
Also, it's a good idea to buy the liquor that they serve... ie: Skyy on Delta!
Just sayin!
Jun 15, 2011, 3:19 pm
#12
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I just flew SFO-LHR 2 weeks ago, and LHR-SFO last week. I got a free wine with dinner on the outbound flight, and they tried to charge me for the wine on the inbound flight....
Jun 15, 2011, 4:41 pm
#13
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Just fly LH if you know you will be in Y. I found their fares to be cheaper, and they have free alcohol and free AVOD in Y on TATL and you still get UA EQM/RDM. Only drawback, no E+.
Jun 15, 2011, 4:51 pm
#14
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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 £5 ($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!
http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/playpoints/#spend
Also veering even further off topic I was on a FR flight STN-LPA. The FA was happy to sell us a duty free litre of vodka for £12 ($20) (the price of three shots) on the condition we bought all mixers from her. I can't remember too much of the flight!
a couple of those in my rezippable plastic bag and I'll buy my toothpaste at the other end thank you!
http://www.grosvenorcasinos.com/playpoints/#spend
Also veering even further off topic I was on a FR flight STN-LPA. The FA was happy to sell us a duty free litre of vodka for £12 ($20) (the price of three shots) on the condition we bought all mixers from her. I can't remember too much of the flight!
Aug 24, 2011, 9:09 pm
#15
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EWR -> BOM
moved to CO pre-merger
Last edited by littlegreenmen; Aug 25, 2011 at 7:01 am