The joy of alcohol on planes

[jojen]

Sitting in 4C with Mr jojen in 4A last Saturday on our way back form ZQN to SYD I had a small bottle of sparkling that neither of us could undo. Reluctantly rang the call bell and the flight attendant could not undo either.

He then went into J to bring back a bottle of Champagne and poured a glass from the bottle. Several top ups later I was very happy. Unfortunately Mr jojen could not partake as he was driving home !!!!!

 

[ashleyn]

Sitting in 4C with Mr jojen in 4A last Saturday on our way back form ZQN to SYD I had a small bottle of sparkling that neither of us could undo. Reluctantly rang the call bell and the flight attendant could not undo either.

He then went into J to bring back a bottle of Champagne and poured a glass from the bottle. Several top ups later I was very happy. Unfortunately Mr jojen could not partake as he was driving home !!!!!

That is often a conundrum, who is the skipper ?

 

[cove]

My turn today as it is about 20 hours flying to get home. Pick up service has been booked (wife).

 

[PineappleSkip]

I don't drink alcohol. I find it incredibly annoying that one of the first things the crew does is repeatedly try to give me some. Even after I ask for something else and always refuse the liquor.

Mmm. Try a Middle Eastern airline? EK crew note what pre-departure drink you ask for. Only if it's champagne will they then bring you the wine list.

Cheers skip

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Love champagne on planes... choose to fly VA to Perth just to get some
Received la grande dame in F to LAX but NV Duval-Leroy Brut in F to MEL?? Maybe a passenger on QF93 drank all the Veuve on the way over
These are the big issues lol

 

[trentusjuventus]

I mostly fly short-medium haul whY around Asia, so not too much time for consuming on board. I usually find that after one or two in a bar or restaurant (or convenience store at TPE/TSA), I'm not really in the mood for much more. Maybe a beer pre-meal and then a glass of wine after. On the occasion that I do fly long haul, its usually overnight, so I prioritize sleep over drinking $20 worth of "free" alcohol on board. I was however on a CX flight from CTS to HKG about 4 years ago, afternoon flight, and after about 4 beers was politely told that under their policy I was at the limit for drinks considering the duration of the flight (to which I had no objection). As I was doing no more than watching a movie on IFE, the attendant asked how I was feeling, and then said that I "seemed fine" and gave me another two beers throughout the rest of the flight without me even asking.

 

[Himeno]

Do you explicitly tell the crew you don't drink alcohol?

Yes, a number of times. They've only noted it for later (ie, not offering liquor again or placing a wine glass with the meal) once. On a QF F flight last year. Some crew on CX/JL flights (maybe 1 in 5) remember that I didn't accept liquor earlier, so offer something else as the first choice, but still suggest wine. When they hand out the menus, if the wine list is a separate page, I discard it as soon as it's handed to me.

Mmm. Try a Middle Eastern airline? EK crew note what pre-departure drink you ask for. Only if it's champagne will they then bring you the wine list.

I've had flights on RJ and QR, but I have no reason to fly with EK unless they join oneworld.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, a number of times. They've only noted it for later (ie, not offering liquor again or placing a wine glass with the meal) once. On a QF F flight last year. Some crew on CX/JL flights (maybe 1 in 5) remember that I didn't accept liquor earlier, so offer something else as the first choice, but still suggest wine. When they hand out the menus, if the wine list is a separate page, I discard it as soon as it's handed to me.

That's poor form. There are plenty of people who can't drink alcohol, and I guess for some there could be temptation that they don't need.

Maybe a word to the CSM would solve the issue next time?

However, I wouldn't necessarily see any subtle actions as being a clear indicator. I don't take the wine list (as I don't drink wine), but i still drink. If i only have water as a pre-departure beverage, I still drink later.

 

[Awesom Andy]

That's poor form. There are plenty of people who can't drink alcohol, and I guess for some there could be temptation that they don't need.

Maybe a word to the CSM would solve the issue next time?

However, I wouldn't necessarily see any subtle actions as being a clear indicator. I don't take the wine list (as I don't drink wine), but i still drink. If i only have water as a pre-departure beverage, I still drink later.

If you have a specific beverage preference, I would think that the crew should note it down (assuming flying in the premium cabins). Whether the beverage has alcohol in it or not doesn't matter - it should be part of their services to cater to reasonable demands.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

if you disagree with any drinking on flights, I suggest this is not the forum to comment on.

I'm not a moderator (with good reason).. but... I think the point of the forum is valid...
Sorry guys.. but this is a happy drinking zone

 

[NinnyPoo]

I'm not a moderator (with good reason).. but... I think the point of the forum is valid...
Sorry guys.. but this is a happy drinking zone

Thanks UpInTheAir , my original quote is not meant to be provocative , but to recognise those amongst us who may have a similar view. Great reading the updates from everyone.

 

[cove]

Caviar with icy vodka was so good I did it twice getting from LAX-NRT-SIN.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Wow Cove... Who was that with?

 

[boomy]

Caviar with icy vodka was so good I did it twice getting from LAX-NRT-SIN.

Wow Cove... Who was that with?

I assume SQ...
They also serve it on TG. I enjoyed it so much that I also had it for breakfast!

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

That is hard core.. lol

 

[boomy]

That's a proper Russian breakfast

 

[leadman]

Not quite sure what the fuss is about on drink/no drink. If I have to do a lot of work I will not drink, but I've never been badgered. Staff have to make an assumption and once they know it seems OK. Maybe slip-up by putting a wine glass on the lunch tray - but no big issue.

My bigger "fuss" is that I would like to see better beers on planes. Hate the SSL's (Stock Standard Lagers; xx_X, VB, Tiger, Carlsberg, Heineken) but always enjoy the London Pride with BA, and the James Squire on QF. Would love to see some Belgium Trappist on a list for once!

 

[cove]

Yes the caviar with freezer cold vodka was with SQ. Now I can report it was Krug, then RWT Penfolds instead of the Dom and the French red as I decided a full switch was needed between going and coming back.

 

[NinnyPoo]

BA 15 SIN to SYD, with the new 777 300ER in Club World, serving a very nice Tattinger. Perfect for 4 glasses and a light dinner, then a nice sleep and forgo breakfast to maximise the sleep. As the BA planes are consistently new 777s on this route I can recommend this overnight service.

 

[Anthony]

A 240 kt headwind sounds a bit far fetched too.

I was in SFO at that time and it was a HUGE storm from the Artic. Dumped 16 ft of snow on the Sierras.
as an aside, the next morning MUNI was apologising on radio that trains were running late due to the flooding. TWO minutes late! If our trains were so punctual the pollies would pop more than 8 bottles in unbridled joy. Aah