Drinks on board - Premium Economy

Hi
Please can a PE frequent flyer give me some advice as I have read so much that is conflicting!

The general consensus seems to be that the drinks service comes round once and after that you have to go to the galley/ ( no problem!) my concern comes when I hear comments such as the cabin crew keep a count of the drinks you order etc ect...
Dont get me wrong - in no way are we screaming alcoholics but long haul I do like to indulge in a couple of G&T's and wine with dinner!

Would be great to have some opinions here please!
Lozi

[Neil]

There is a drinks service after take off, one with meal, and usually a top up, then one or two more.
As you have said, you can ask for a drink at any time and unless you are obviously over intoxicated the crew will have no issue getting one for you.

Hi Neil and thank you for your comments, much appreciated. Its re-assuring to know that we can request a drink should we want one. Sounds as tho there are ample drinks service without having to get up!
Thanks again
Lozi

As you have said, you can ask for a drink at any time and unless you are obviously over intoxicated the crew will have no issue getting one for you.

I've found the post meal drinks to be far less flowing of recent years, and nothing to do with intoxication, to do with saving cash. They stock far less wine that they used to, and the size of glasses they sometimes use (especially for things like the sparkling wine) are tiny. Less than 100ml...

What route? On the Vegas one they will close the bar service at a certain point.

[Neil]

What route? On the Vegas one they will close the bar service at a certain point.

That isn't an official policy, it is just a decision sometimes taken by the crew if they feel it is appropriate or necessary.

What route? On the Vegas one they will close the bar service at a certain point.

That isn't an official policy, it is just a decision sometimes taken by the crew if they feel it is appropriate or necessary.

So I have heard, but in the last 8 trips or so in it they have certainly been 100% consistent in shutting it down - I won't say "early" - at some stage during the flight. Just my experience.

Perhaps it's me !

So I have heard, but in the last 8 trips or so in it they have certainly been 100% consistent in shutting it down - I won't say "early" - at some stage during the flight. Just my experience.

Perhaps it's me !

Nah, its not just you. Multiple reports from a number of people, on a number of flights. Little bit of self-denial here on v-flyer about it, as if the the virgin service hasn't really declined...

"Really? you've ran out of red wine? Two hours into the flight? In Premium Economy? Oh yes, you haven't, you 'need to keep some for the return flight'?

Weirdly with knowledge of this, you're likely to drink in more quantity... I'm not planning on PE any time in the future...

Not the same route I know but the champagne (and a few spirits) were depleted after the welcome drink (UC) on our flight to Antigua this summer. Imagine (if you possibly can) a flight with no champagne.

We had the same going to BGI Marshy.....they had 8 bottles o champagne for the whole (full) UC cabin so it ran out really quickly. They also ran out of mojitos. And on the way back in PE they ran out of amaruhla as well.

When I cheekily asked for a nip of Aberfeldy on my last post-meal PE service, I ended up with a two thirds full tumbler of it (and that was intentionally without ice!). So drinks largesse is alive and well on the DXB route

There's also the minor point of the several glasses of champagne that my wife and I got on the return flight in Y. Fair to say that counts as about my best round trip for status recognition

What route? On the Vegas one they will close the bar service at a certain point.

That isn't an official policy, it is just a decision sometimes taken by the crew if they feel it is appropriate or necessary.

Ive flown to Vegas with no alcohol issues, though I hear it is quite common on london routes. I was travelling with friends but form different airports & was told that one hen party opened up a bottle of their duty free to drink.

Great OP and one that no doubt divides opinions.

Personally, I have never wandered to the cabin for a drink, or pressed the buzzer for one as they seem to be pretty regular. Only if the CC are passing do I ask for a drink and normally a water...

However, that is on the NYC flights and I am normally keen to arrive 100% (or as close as possible!). This year im off to Florida so a much longer flight time... I always think that they (the CC) have a hard enough job without people asking for more - on the other hand I do think that I am intituled to it so its difficult...

Is there a decent way to do this that wont make me look like a lush..? Also, if this was a special event is there a way to drop that in without sounding like its totally obvious and im after something?

Haven't we recently had an identical thread?
I seem to recall saying something like, 'I don't drink between drinks.' then went on the explain I'm happy with what gets served up pre-meal, and with the meal.
Dick D

When I cheekily asked for a nip of Aberfeldy on my last post-meal PE service, I ended up with a two thirds full tumbler of it (and that was intentionally without ice!). So drinks largesse is alive and well on the DXB route

Not with whisky, but with wine, but a similar thing but in UC.

Some staff, I've got the impression the more senior staff, will respond to a request with a dribble of wine, leaving me coming back in half an hour for another.

And others, will fill it up 3/4's leaving me to come back much later, if at all...

Personally I am in the camp that feels it totally unnecessary to drink whilst I am on public transport, I wouldn't on a train or a coach etc so why the obsession on a plane just because they're complimentary. However, I respect other peoples reasons for having a glass or two when offered. I flew to Vegas with BA last year and saw on numerous occasions the same groups (some who I assumed were stags and hens wearing matching t-shirts) making multiple trips to the galleys for drinks, totally monopolising the crew's time to the point of harassment, whilst the rest of us sat there watching our movies. The bars were shut and an announcement was made saying so. So it isn't just a VS thing, it seems to be a drinking culture issue. Complimentary to me doesn't mean drink as much as you like, it means they are offered free of charge when offered, unfortunately some people have no class and ruin it for everyone else.

^ +1

There's only so much space to store booze on a plane, so it can and does run out on some flights (as does food).

Some people don't know their limits and I for one don't want to be stuck in a confined space with an angry drunk for 8 hours, so CC are absolutely right to ration it.

And yes, there are cost implications for airlines so, if necessary, they limit it.

All reasons that seem perfectly reasonable to me given this is public transport, not an all-you-can-drink bar at a cheap all inclusive resort in Magaluf.

Personally I am in the camp that feels it totally unnecessary to drink whilst I am on public transport, I wouldn't on a train or a coach etc so why the obsession on a plane just because they're complimentary. However, I respect other peoples reasons for having a glass or two when offered. I flew to Vegas with BA last year and saw on numerous occasions the same groups (some who I assumed were stags and hens wearing matching t-shirts) making multiple trips to the galleys for drinks, totally monopolising the crew's time to the point of harassment, whilst the rest of us sat there watching our movies. The bars were shut and an announcement was made saying so. So it isn't just a VS thing, it seems to be a drinking culture issue. Complimentary to me doesn't mean drink as much as you like, it means they are offered free of charge when offered, unfortunately some people have no class and ruin it for everyone else.

I don't call it an obsession, but I travel by train frequently. I don't drink on a train as it's usually due to work. The only time it won't be is if it's en route to the airport.

I travel by air less frequently and usually it's a holiday or celebration. Holidays and celebrations, for me, include a glass or two (or more) of fizz.

Personally I am in the camp that feels it totally unnecessary to drink whilst I am on public transport, I wouldn't on a train or a coach etc so why the obsession on a plane just because they're complimentary. However, I respect other peoples reasons for having a glass or two when offered. I flew to Vegas with BA last year and saw on numerous occasions the same groups (some who I assumed were stags and hens wearing matching t-shirts) making multiple trips to the galleys for drinks, totally monopolising the crew's time to the point of harassment, whilst the rest of us sat there watching our movies. The bars were shut and an announcement was made saying so. So it isn't just a VS thing, it seems to be a drinking culture issue. Complimentary to me doesn't mean drink as much as you like, it means they are offered free of charge when offered, unfortunately some people have no class and ruin it for everyone else.

Yes, but when you've paid from 4 to 10 times the price of an economy ticket for an Upper Class seat, you'd expect the booze to not be a drinks run and lump it.

I do find it a strange comparison though about drinking on the bus on a train. Yes, I do on the train, when I've paid first class and its the time of day when I feel like it. I also tend not to spend over a grand on a bus journey.

Personally, I like having some booze while watching a movie. Eventually to the point I put on a movie I don't care about, and fall asleep halfway through it. It's the only time I ever really sleep on a plane.

Holidays and celebrations, for me, include a glass or two (or more) of fizz.

Personally, I like having some booze while watching a movie. Eventually to the point I put on a movie I don't care about, and fall asleep halfway through it. It's the only time I ever really sleep on a plane.

As per my previous post, I don't have a problem with or disagree with having a couple of drinks on and aircraft. I'm sure the airlines could probably load a couple of extra bottles of this or that, however my main point was that most of the time, instead of it being a fault of the airlines, I put it down to fault of a minority of the flying public who treat a 777 like a private jet. You're never the only passenger, you're never the only Gold, Silver, Bronze, Blue, Red or whatever the case may be and sometimes others will have taken more than their fair share. I don't expect the airline to have all four meal choices available to every passenger, I don't expect the drinks to be limitless taking into account that there is a limit to the available storage space and take off weight of the aircraft. This is a fact of flying and always has been since the masses took to the skies. The only solutions will be to take a private jet or stay at home, then you can drink until you throw up without the risk of offending anyone.

It's annoying, but the champagne bottles running dry is a first world problem in the grand scheme of things. These days, if I get to my destination without crashing or being blown up, I'm a happy bunny.

I say all of this jokingly and I don't mean to offend anybody on this forum I hope you all understand. But these debates will go on FOREVER as long as we decide to get on a packed jet with 400+ people regardless of the cabin class we pay for.

I'm sure the airlines could probably load a couple of extra bottles of this or that, however my main point was that most of the time, instead of it being a fault of the airlines, I put it down to fault of a minority of the flying public who treat a 777 like a private jet. You're never the only passenger, you're never the only Gold, Silver, Bronze, Blue, Red or whatever the case may be and sometimes others will have taken more than their fair share. I don't expect the airline to have all four meal choices available to every passenger, I don't expect the drinks to be limitless taking into account that there is a limit to the available storage space and take off weight of the aircraft.

What a strange statement. You seem to dismiss the class flown in. Status has nothing to with anything.

If I fly Upper, I don't expect the booze to run out. Sure the champagne, a premium product, which often only really seems to be for the initial takeoff. However, red wine or the likes. Should not happen. I'd expect more than economy (per person) to be stocked for PE. Paid up to twice the price, it sure isn't going in the meal or a lounge.

My original point I was making about PE is that Virgin has cut it back in recent years, blaming disruptive elements or stocking for return flights. It's been a cost saving measure. Even Upper has suffered, and was an eye opener recently on a BA Club flight to have no such problems with booze.

I'm sure the airlines could probably load a couple of extra bottles of this or that, however my main point was that most of the time, instead of it being a fault of the airlines, I put it down to fault of a minority of the flying public who treat a 777 like a private jet. You're never the only passenger, you're never the only Gold, Silver, Bronze, Blue, Red or whatever the case may be and sometimes others will have taken more than their fair share. I don't expect the airline to have all four meal choices available to every passenger, I don't expect the drinks to be limitless taking into account that there is a limit to the available storage space and take off weight of the aircraft.

What a strange statement. You seem to dismiss the class flown in. Status has nothing to with anything.

If I fly Upper, I don't expect the booze to run out. Sure the champagne, a premium product, which often only really seems to be for the initial takeoff. However, red wine or the likes. Should not happen. I'd expect more than economy (per person) to be stocked for PE. Paid up to twice the price, it sure isn't going in the meal or a lounge.

My original point I was making about PE is that Virgin has cut it back in recent years, blaming disruptive elements or stocking for return flights. It's been a cost saving measure. Even Upper has suffered, and was an eye opener recently on a BA Club flight to have no such problems with booze.

I don't dismiss anything and I do take into account everything you've said. I guess that is just the danger with forums, not everyone is going to agree with every point you make under all circumstances. You're right, under normal circumstances, in a premium level cabin (F,J,W) it's not generally acceptable for products to run out, HOWEVER when there is a particularly high demand for one particular product for example if EVERYONE wanted to eat the beef or an overwhelming majority want to drink only the Merlot, it can be hard for the airline to cater to that specific demand without knowing in advance what everyone in that cabin is going to want to eat or drink.

I don't dismiss anything and I do take into account everything you've said. I guess that is just the danger with forums, not everyone is going to agree with every point you make under all circumstances. You're right, under normal circumstances, in a premium level cabin (F,J,W) it's not generally acceptable for products to run out, HOWEVER when there is a particularly high demand for one particular product for example if EVERYONE wanted to eat the beef or an overwhelming majority want to drink only the Merlot, it can be hard for the airline to cater to that specific demand without knowing in advance what everyone in that cabin is going to want to eat or drink.

I don't think anyone was complaining about that.

I don't care if my first food choice runs out. Or champagne runs out. Or the particular type of wine I was drinking runs out.

All the wine has run out in PE, though.

For all of the wine to have completely gone, then it's a serious oversight on behalf of any airline, either that or there have been some seriously thirsty passengers! Thank goodness these occurrences are very few and far between. I have known crew to pour opened bottles of wine down the toilets at the end of the flights

For all of the wine to have completely gone, then it's a serious oversight on behalf of any airline, either that or there have been some seriously thirsty passengers! Thank goodness these occurrences are very few and far between. I have known crew to pour opened bottles of wine down the toilets at the end of the flights

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.