Free liquor when flying in economy? Yes please!

[webmaster]

So United has upped the game to compete with other carriers internationally, by offering free liquor and enhanced meal service on their international flights.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/today...free-beer-wine-in-long-haul-economy/25783291/

I recall when I was younger the level of service/food/drink were of course MUCH higher while flying, now that same service is relegated to First or Business class seats only. I am curious if this will create any other changes or offerings from the other major carriers.

 

[Uncle Fester]

Competing for customers by offering perks and enhancing the experience? Blasphemy!

 

[webmaster]

As long as it doesn't effect any more future raises for me!

It is interesting to see how all the majors are dramatically improving their business and first class seats and "experience". That segment is willing, and able, to pay more and they want better service.

 

[Uncle Fester]

As long as it doesn't effect any more future raises for me!

Oh come on...we all know in-flight booze is free for the crew.

 

[wink]

When I started all booze was free in coach on AA international flights. To be fair, United is catching up. AA offers beer and wine for free in coach on most all international flights. Many South American flights don't offer it. If I am not mistaken, Delta also offers liquor in coach on international flights.

You would be surprised how keen airlines compete with perks. We started to serve baked on board cookies in domestic first class on flights over 3 hours years ago (I think they quit recently). Delta started to do the same plus added some select routes that were under 3 hours. In just those same city pairs, AA started the cookie service. Although the coffee on board is never very good because of the water and brewing equipment, the airlines famously competed over premium coffee served on board a few years ago. Keep in mind, sometimes marketing a perk to win business is just to make up for a deficiency in another area you can't fix or won't because of cost. Running late all the time in a market and losing business, improve meal service created by a famous chef and create some buzz.

While many people bemoan airline service from seats, to food, to fees, the market is telling us they are doing an adequate job. I say adequate because they can certainly do a better job but hey, where is the incentive if you rubes keep coming back and filling the seats. If you go to Delta because they shake your dick in the lav and it leaves seats open on United then well, you will get that AND butt wiping on United to win you back.

 

[wink]

Oh come on...we all know in-flight booze is free for the crew.

 

[webmaster]

@wink those fresh baked chocolate chip cookies are great, I just haven't figured out how to turn them down! I have said NO THANKS to the repeat offers for the hot fudge sundaes that are offered on long haul first class flights.

Delta recently has been pushing Starbucks as their premium coffee. I don't think I have had a good cup of coffee yet on any flight, I'd rather bring some onboard.

 

[HAL Pilot]

I don't think I have had a good cup of coffee yet on any flight, I'd rather bring some onboard.

You do realize onboard coffee uses water from the aircraft tank. There ain't enough boiling in the world to get me to drink that water...

Hawaiian has been serving a complimentary mai tai or wine with out coach meals for at least the last 3 years. maybe longer.

 

[webmaster]

@HAL Pilot I figure after drinking water on subs and getting irradiated that my immune system hasn't failed me yet and I am not prone to bubble guts (knock on wood)

I've seen coffee made a couple times for crew with bottled water, think that is an outlier though, and if I recall were when the flight attendants were making coffee with their own grounds they brought.

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

If only American was serving free drinks on my last trip to Hawaii, it would have been a better flight!

 

[wink]

If only American was serving free drinks on my last trip to Hawaii, it would have been a better flight!

Couldn't have been that bad if you wouldn't pony up a few bucks for a cocktail. You see, that is our evil plan. Make it so horrible people need a few drinks to get through it and then we charge them a boat load of money for the booze. Even then, no amount of money can get you a mai tai on AA. Hawaiian has us there.

 

[707guy]

Oh come on...we all know in-flight booze is free for the crew.

I know this is true because at least once a day I hear a pilot say "Ground this is Flight 123, ready to taxi with whiskey..."

 

[Spekkio]

Competing for customers by offering perks and enhancing the experience? Blasphemy!

The next step is to make sure they stock enough food so that they don't run out of 3/4 the menu choices by the time they reach row 25 (happened on my last two flights, luckily I packed my meal).

 

[wink]

The next step is to make sure they stock enough food so that they don't run out of 3/4 the menu choices by the time they reach row 25 (happened on my last two flights, luckily I packed my meal).

So they didn't have your choice, but did have food? Do you propose they cater 150 of each of the three or four choices? They will be happy to do that if you and the rest of the paying passengers are willing to pay for the waste and cost of accommodating that much food. As it is, with people always complaining about airline food it is hard to take complaints about availability too serious. Next time sit closer to the front or make nice with a flight attendant telling her what has happened the last two times and maybe she will start from the back or save something for you.

 

[81montedriver]

I can vouch for this. Flew AA back from UDP in Oki and free booze on the flight was a very pleasant surprise !