Wastage of Coke, Coke Zero and other Soft Drinks on Virgin Flights

[Renato1]

We flew Virgin from Melbourne to Brisbane today, and The Menu said that 200ml bottles of soft drink cost $3, while 330ml and 375ml bottles cost $4.

As I was very thirsty, I asked for a big can of Coke Zero, but the answer was that - sorry, we only have small cans. So i bought one.

The next stewardess that came around I grabbed some water from, and asked how come no big cans? She said that there was too much wastage in the big cans - that people weren't finishing them.

So, some questions arise.
Why does Virgin care if some people waste some of their drinks?
What about caring for the people who want a large can?
For those who order the $8 little bottles of spirits to mix with soft drink, isn't a 200ml can too small for many of them (i.e. it results in a pretty stiff drink)?

The economical solution appears to be that one had better buy a bottle of Coke Zero from vending machines after one has been through the security gates, and take it onto the plane. Else buy two or more 200 ml cans at $3 a piece on the plane - which I think is a bit steep.

I think this a minor annoyance. What do you think?
Regards,
Renato

 

[mannej]

Why is there a need to purchase the can after security? After all it is a domestic flight we are talking about?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Call me stupid, but I have not ever noticed cans of soft drink being sold in Australian airports.
Only ever see the less 300ml, and the more so 600ml Coke and its ilk, Mt Frankiin, etc.
Even the vending machines only vend 600ml.
If you have access to a place to buy it prior to the airport, then yes, bring that.
BUT a lot or too much shaking will cause the contents to fizz all over you when the can is opened.

 

[Deleted member]

I suspect (but don't know for sure) that unfinished cans of soft drink are a problem because they tip over . I notice that occasionally when there is turbulence, during or after meal / drink service, that the clean up process can be a bit haphazard , sticky soft drink spills can't be much fun or easy to clean up. ... just a thought.

 

[Quickstatus]

Assuming what the cabin crew says is true, it may be an issue of disposal of opened cans with residual. It all goes into plastic bag which may then leak

 

[NZflygirl]

I prefer the 200ml cans. 330ml is too much. I even buy the 200ml if shopping but won't buy if I can't find them or run out. Fuss pot aye!

 

[Pushka]

I never finish the large cans and dont know what to do with the rest. Just last Sunday I had a can of half empty coke zero spill in my car. I much prefer the smaller cans.

 

[ric_melb]

Guess we all have our likes and dislikes regarding soft drinks. I don't like the 200ml cans and prefer 250ml cans.
Strange isn't it that Qantas seemed to have soft drinks worked out decades ago.
250 ml cans and free on flights, not having to be purchased by customers.

 

[Deleted member]

I just don't drink soft drink, Beer and wine are much better for you !!

 

[PLANT]

Virgin has introduced a caffeine tax before the government

 

[NM]

200ml cans weigh less than 375ml cans, so less weight means less fuel burn for the same number of cans.

 

[Pushka]

I just don't drink soft drink, Beer and wine are much better for you !!

Well that's true, and nothing left in the bottle to spill.

 

[juddles]

We flew Virgin from Melbourne to Brisbane today, and The Menu said that 200ml bottles of soft drink cost $3, while 330ml and 375ml bottles cost $4....

On Virgin you seriously have to pay for a softdrink??? OMG

 

[samh004]

On Virgin you seriously have to pay for a softdrink??? OMG

I know right! Crazy times we're living in!

 

[Milboo]

I prefer the smaller cans. Before the change over, I'd always hand back a half empty can with an apology as I know it's a hassle for disposal but I can't get through a full can in an hour flight.

 

[Renato1]

Why is there a need to purchase the can after security? After all it is a domestic flight we are talking about?

Interesting. I saw a sign about drinks just before security screening about drinks, but I didn't read it closely because I didn't have any. I must pay attention next time.
Regards,
Renato

Call me stupid, but I have not ever noticed cans of soft drink being sold in Australian airports.
Only ever see the less 300ml, and the more so 600ml Coke and its ilk, Mt Frankiin, etc.
Even the vending machines only vend 600ml.
If you have access to a place to buy it prior to the airport, then yes, bring that.
BUT a lot or too much shaking will cause the contents to fizz all over you when the can is opened.

Yes, I was thinking of the 600ml bottles from the vending machines, but also thought the snack places might sell cans.
Though I think bottles would indeed be better to minimize a fizz mess on opening.
Regards,
Renato

I suspect (but don't know for sure) that unfinished cans of soft drink are a problem because they tip over . I notice that occasionally when there is turbulence, during or after meal / drink service, that the clean up process can be a bit haphazard , sticky soft drink spills can't be much fun or easy to clean up. ... just a thought.

Possibly - though my can would have been thoroughly empty.
Still, I wonder why people buy big cans if they aren't going to finish them?
Cheers,
Renato

Assuming what the cabin crew says is true, it may be an issue of disposal of opened cans with residual. It all goes into plastic bag which may then leak

Possibly - though better for customer satisfaction to change bag supplier and get non-leaking bags.
Regards,
Renato

I prefer the 200ml cans. 330ml is too much. I even buy the 200ml if shopping but won't buy if I can't find them or run out. Fuss pot aye!

Ah - but when shopping, the small cans cost a lot less from most shops.
I occasionally buy a small can in winter.
Cheers,
Renato

I never finish the large cans and dont know what to do with the rest. Just last Sunday I had a can of half empty coke zero spill in my car. I much prefer the smaller cans.

Good to see someone else who likes Coke Zero - much nicer than Diet Coke.
I guess the best thing to do is pull-over somewhere, and tip the remains of the can on the road.
Regards,
Renato

Guess we all have our likes and dislikes regarding soft drinks. I don't like the 200ml cans and prefer 250ml cans.
Strange isn't it that Qantas seemed to have soft drinks worked out decades ago.
250 ml cans and free on flights, not having to be purchased by customers.

Yes, 250 ml cans are more satisfying. Though Emirates give out 150ml cans and I now ask for two of them every time.
Regards,
Renato

I just don't drink soft drink, Beer and wine are much better for you !!

Wine gives me shocking heartburn, and beer leaves my head spinning during the day (but is fine at night after a meal).
So it's soft drinks for me.
Cheers,
Renato

Virgin has introduced a caffeine tax before the government

Sounds that way, doesn't it?
Cheers,
Renato

 

[mannej]

The small cans only cost less in numerical value only. If you take the cost per volume, they can be much more expensive compared to your 375ml counterpart

 

[dajop]

The small cans only cost less in numerical value only.

That only applies for individual cans. If buying multipacks it is usually cheaper not only on a per unit volume basis, but also on a per can basis to buy bigger cans. Cheaper to buy 375ml multipacks and throw half drunk can away than buy 200ml multipacks.

That aside the cost of cans of soft drink in Australia is just crazy. More expensive than Tokyo, New York, London by a decent margin, and even slightly more expensive than Zurich.

 

[mannej]

That only applies for individual cans. If buying multipacks it is usually cheaper not only on a per unit volume basis, but also on a per can basis to buy bigger cans. Cheaper to buy 375ml multipacks and throw half drunk can away than buy 200ml multipacks.

That aside the cost of cans of soft drink in Australia is just crazy. More expensive than Tokyo, New York, London by a decent margin, and even slightly more expensive than Zurich.

That is what I was getting at, and yes I do agree.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm missing something here. Can't drink a 375 MPs soft drink but can drink more if an alcoholic drink?
Or is this an volumetric opportunity cost scenario - more soft = less hard