I recently took my first international trip, and flew Lufthansa from JFK to Frankfurt. I’ve taken domestic flights before, so I was rather surprised at the presence of free alcohol (and the quantity!). Whenever they offered a drink, wine and bottles of beer were popular choices. I think hard liquor was on hand too. At one point the stewardesses actually walked the aisle with a bottle of red in one hand and a bottle of white in the other, topping off glasses. And near the end of the flight, they came around with a tray of cognac and Bailey’s Irish Creme. Yummy. (I was pretty damn buzzed by the end of that flight.)
So here’s the question: Why is this? This flight with free libations costs around $400 and is 7 hrs long. Yet a flight from New York to San Francisco costs $500, and is almost as long, and you have to pay for every drink. So it’s not a money thing. Anyone know what the story is? Do international flight always have free alcohol? And did they ever have free drinks on domestic flights?
The difference is probably between Lufthansa and whatever domestic carrier you flew and not a general difference between domestic and international flights. Chances are you would get the same treatment on a Lufthansa flight from Berlin to Frankfurt as you got on a transatlantic flight.
I flew Lufthansa once from JFK to Munich. They treat you pretty good, I must say. Besides the drinks, they bring out hot face cloths about an hour before landing.
StephenG, if you’re flying AA, all you can expect are stale peanuts and crappy Sky Chefs food.
Coach class international flights on most carriers I know of (American, Delta, British Air, Continental, Air France) all serve free alcohol. They do it because someone else started doing it, and it sells tickets. Also, although I’m sure this thread will be visited soon by the “alcohol only causes air rage and child slavery” temperence union, I think IRL it does a lot to relieve being crammed into the cattle-car like conditions of international coach seats for 11 hours straight.
Which is why I’m glad I only fly Business Class overseas, except for one time.
Dire Wolf - I agree with your assessment. Montreal to Miami is not a “real” international flight, as far as the airlines are concerned, and coach is likely to be no different than US domestic coach. But I hope StephenG gets a pleasant surprise, nonetheless.
Domestic and international flights in Europe have free drinks. I think it’s mostly American airlines that seem to ask for money. As to why, someone suggested in a recent thread that it’s a handy “anaesthetic” for scared passengers, and that it also helps to put the passengers to sleep on long flights. I certainly relax a lot more once I’ve had a glass or two (I’m not that happy a flier); the trick is to know when to stop.
The prices you give of $400 for a New York to Frankfurt flight and $500 for a New York to San Francisco flight are not typical, I think. I have no way of looking up the fares for New York, but according to The Washington Post Travel section this week, the lowest reguarly available fare from Washington to Frankfurt is $416 and the lowest regularly available fare from Washington to San Francisco is $247. I would think that $400 for a New York to Frankfurt flight might be about right, but if you paid $500 for a New York to San Francisco flight it’s because it was a last-minute booking.
