V-Flyer

Just bored on a Sunday afternoon.
As I understand it 16 & 17yo can be served alcohol with a meal in a resturaunt, can they legally (not a moral discussion) have alcohol with a meal on a flight?

I'm not 100% sure but I suspect no. As all VS A/C are registered in the UK, VS have to follow UK laws and regulations regardless of where the A/C might be, therefore, the minimum age is 18.

The 16 & 17 age rule only applies to licensed premises with a table meal in pubs, bars or restaurants.

I've been onboard VS flights where they announce that alcohol won't be served to under 18s but have heard reports of under 18's being given alcohol in Upper. I guess it depends how old you look and the cabin crew ...

Offical VS policy is probably over 18.

I found this via a good search alcohol restrictions on commercial flights whihc says it is based on where the airline is registered. So US airlines maintain the 21 yr rule no matter where they are travelling to / from.

It suggests checking with the airline as the rules vary.

As James said 16/17 yr olds can drink alchol in those specific locations and circumstances but they cannot order alcohol. However that can only drink wine, beer and cider. Must be accompanied by an adult too.

The legal minimum drinking age is actually 5 (five) but this applies only 'in private'.

When I was travelling with Aer John while he was in his teens and we were in UC, he was always offered champagne, water or OJ even though he was clearly under age at the beginning. The offer of champagne was always made with a twinkle and a bit of teasing such as "but you don't really want that , do you?", to which he might reply "Of course" and then laughingly change his mind and ask for water.

The only exception was exactly 5 weeks before his 18th birthday. On that occasion the cabin crew rather strangely, went along the cabin greeting the passengers under her care until she came to him. She passed over him and returned only when she had greeted all of the other passengers (even though he was Gold) and then offered him only water or OJ. He was distinctly miffed. As he said himself, he wouldn't have had champagne but he would have liked to have been asked

The 18yr old American kid I was sitting next to was pleased as punch on the VS2 last month when he was allowed booze by the FA. He even got his grubby little ID out to show her. Adorable.

I flew to SFO shortly after my 18th Birthday. Whilst I was 18 and obviously no problem; my friend was only 17 and when he asked for wine the cabin crew asked his age. When he told them he was 17; she smiled and said something along the lines of "ok, but don't tell anyone".
I think its a hit or miss area, depending on your attitude, the crew and just luck in general.

Kev.

my son was travelling unaccompanied minor last year in premium economy(15 year old) and was offered wine with his meal. go figure that!

When I was about 14 they served me wine. I'm 19 now and I'm scared to ask for anything in case they want ID - too much of a faff!

I've flown with Virgin since I was 15 and I've always been offered wine with my meal. It wasnt until I turned 18 I started requesting alcohol but they always offered me wine with my meal. I rarely accepted. But I did have it once when I was 16 and it helped me sleep......

While they may be allowed to, I don't think a 'drunk teens in mid air rampage' headline would be good PR!

But I do remember drinking champagne when I flew on Concorde age 12.

Flying uc with my 18 year old who looks quite young-always usually gets age checked. We have been wondering if they will check her age in the lounge (or try and find it out).

Barnaby100 wrote:Flying uc with my 18 year old who looks quite young-always usually gets age checked. We have been wondering if they will check her age in the lounge (or try and find it out).

Maybe - I was ID checked in the IAD CH last year.. odd actually given I am in my mid-late twenties The waitress did check a few people though.. perhaps it was inspection day

Have also been sitting at the bar in UC and a lad that wandered up to join us was asked how old he was... turned out 17 but he lied and said 19 - tut tut tut.. the crew did not ask for ID though.